Post date: Nov 19, 2016 4:15:33 AM

Men’s title goes to Havlíčkův Brod for the first time in history

The Havlíčkův Brod Hippos have won their first Men’s National Championship over the two-time defenders Spectrum.

For years, the final series had just two contenders – Spectrum Praha and Beavers Chomutov. After last season’s retirement of the Beavers’ top veteran pitcher and International Softball Hall of Famer, Luboš Vrbenský, Chomutov fell short of the final this year.

The Hippos, who combined mostly younger players alongside three New Zealanders, proved to be the strongest team of all. They were also the only ones who could compete with Spectrum’s top Czech players, including seven national team players.

Joudrs dominate in the women’s Extraleague

The last decade of Czech women’s softball has revolved mostly around two teams from Prague: Joudrs and Eagles. They always met in the final series and their players were the key national team players.

This year was no different. Joudrs – who finished undefeated — met Tempo in the finals and seized the Czech title for the second time in a row. Pitchers Veronika Peckova and Alyson Spinas Valainis (USA) dominated in all of the final games.

The 2016 season started with a number of changes, though. Long-time players from Eagles decided to trade teams and their original squad took in a number of young prospects.

The league’s four teams were also at a very similar competitive level in the Extraleague semi-finals. Despite various expectations, the defending champions Joudrs made their way to the final winning three consecutive games (in the best of five series) against Tempo.

Undefeated Sparks Mladé Buky are the Slow Pitch Champions

The Sparks proved they are one of the top slow pitch clubs in the Czech Republic winning their eighth National Championship overall title.

Sparks were undefeated throughout the whole tournament, however the level of Czech slow pitch play shows increasing tendencies. Last year’s winner DNAce placed fourth, Navíc took the bronze, and Wayne’s World took the silver.