Jon Barry, Emma Kilbride, Peter Mullen and Julie Walsh were named in Derek Ward's final cut of eighteeen Irish players who will be taking on Europe slow-pitch softball's finest at the week-long European Championship Coed Slowpitch tournament in Dupitsna, Bulgaria, which starts on July 19th

It will be only twelve months since the last tournament saw Ireland finish behind Great Britain and Czech Republic in Prague, but a change of Manager has given the entire squad a renewed outlook. The squad includes a mixture of seasoned and experiences softball players and several debutants. Ireland start the tournament, which this year sees seven teams take part, with a game against Slovenia on Tuesday 19th July.

Emma will be competing in her seventh tournament, having played each time between 1998 and 2008. Jon also played his first tournament in 1998, and has represented Ireland three times. Peter will be competing for the second time, having taken part in the 2006 tournament in Slovenia. Julie first represented Ireland in 2004, with this year being her fourth time to pull on the Green shirt.

Everyone involved in BatPak Softball Club would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our four members of the 2011 National Squad, and we wish them, and indeed the entire team of players and support staff travelling to Bulgaria the best of luck