As many of you know, I’ve been playing club softball internationally for the last 15 months or so. At the time of writing this column, I’m thinking about a double header against our arch rivals tomorrow (we’re in second; they’re in first). My team needs to find a way to hit their pitcher, an American “import” ace who in our first outing, kept us scoreless in both games, mixing great placement and an excellent change, with a sneaky, “climb the ladder” riseball.

Right now in the Netherlands, each team can have only one non-European Union (EU) player on each club team. But, in Italy the restrictions are quite different, and much more relaxed. This difference in what is allowed from country to country can be a huge irritant at the club level and affects the European Cup (club champions from each country playing each other), but it is only the tip of the iceberg, as the same issues are present and greatly magnified at the European Championships (National Teams competing) and the very competitive Eurafrica Olympic Qualifiers (being played as this goes to press) where national pride and Olympic funding are both at stake. The use of non-EU players (most often Americans with dual-passports who live in the U.S.) on National Teams is highly controversial with many Europeans.

I was first introduced to the controversy during my time playing in Sweden and working as an assistant coach with the Junior National Team at one of their training camps, but never was it more clear to me than sitting in the stands at the recent European Championships in Amsterdam. The stands were packed with a very tangible definition of “multiculturalism,” with about 2,000 fans, parents, supporters, officials and players from all over Europe. In front of me sat an interesting pair speaking English: a woman with an obvious British accent and a man with a good old mid-American accent – that is to say, no discernible accent at all. After watching them a bit, it was clear their daughter was out on the field playing for the Great Britain (GB) national team, and they had flown over from the States to watch her play. This was obviously exciting for them, and I’m certain even more so for the player out there. Sitting on either side of me were Dutch players (leadership and former players), complaining earnestly and passionately that the European Championships and Olympic Qualifier should be for Europeans, not Americans, Canadians or Australians who get a second passport, have never lived in Europe, don’t speak the language, and then come over and “stack” National Teams as “hired guns.”

I certainly have nothing against the woman with the dual-passport playing for Great Britain. How could I? I probably received the same e-mail she did last year asking about my heritage and offering the possibility of a tryout.

Overall, opinions appear mixed about having foreign players in Europe. For example, I’ve heard numerous people say they think it is a good idea for foreign players to play in the “regular” season, as long as they help with the country’s softball development – a kind of Softball Development Ambassador. Others feel it’s just an arms race in the making...literally “arms” -- as here in Holland in the Major League (Hoofdklasse), every team has an American pitcher. One team gets one and then all the rest must have an American pitcher to stay competitive. Sponsorship money, status and pride are all at stake.

The controversy reaches its peak though at the National Team level when some of the dual-passport club players and a handful of others are recruited to play for a country’s National Team. Unfortunately, passport regulations are determined by each country, so great disparities exist in how each country awards a passport. As such, countries with the “easy” passport regulations bolster their chances at winning the EC -- but much more importantly -- qualifying for and playing in the Olympics. This is where many European players who live in countries with tighter passport requirements call “foul.” They see the other countries as “buying” championships and perhaps entry into the Olympics. Allegations have even been made regarding “arranged” marriages to get a passport. How widespread is this use of American players? According to a well-informed poster in a major online softball forum, depending on roster configurations, the Great Britain team has nine to 10 dual-passport Americans; Greece has nine, Italy has eight, and Holland only one. The rest of the Eurafrica Olympic Qualifier teams have none.

Ultimately, in my opinion, the real solution to this problem will have to come from the European Softball Federation (ESF) or perhaps the International Softball Federation (ISF), creating a set of regulations that are consistent and equal for every country desiring to use a player with dual-passports, and will have to be independent of each country’s process for obtaining a passport.

So are all of us who play abroad (not just those on National Teams) “hired guns,” Softball Development Ambassadors, or just women who love our sport and will go anywhere to keep playing after college? Getting to see Europe and live in another culture while playing softball is a broadening and enriching experience – one I wouldn’t trade anything for. I suppose in the end, I’d like to think of myself as an Ambassador and as a player who loves the game. Now...if I can just figure out how to drive that imported American pitcher’s rise ball deep.
Until next time, keep playing HARD, cuz there ain’t nothin’ soft about it!

As always, please feel free to e-mail me with comments or column suggestions at gutallstop@hotmail.com.