1997 European Baseball Championship
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| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| City | Paris |
| Dates | 29 August – 7 September 1997 |
| Teams | 12 |
| Defending champions |  Netherlands |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Italy |
| Runners-up | Netherlands |
| Third place |  Spain |
| Fourth place |  Russia |
| Awards | |
| MVP | Johnny Balentina |
The 1997 European Baseball Championship was won by Italy. It was held in Paris, France. In a battle of undefeated teams, Italy defeated the defending champion, the Netherlands, 4–2 in the finale. It was the last European championship to feature aluminum bats. The field expanded from 10 teams at the 1995 championship to 12 teams and featured one first-time participant, the Czech Republic.
Dutch catcher Johnny Balentina won his second consecutive tournament MVP award.[1] The Netherlands subsequently won every European championship until 2010, when the Italy again snapped the Dutch's title run.[2]
Standings
[edit]| Pos. | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 8–0 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 7–1 |
| 3 | Spain | 5–3 |
| 4 | Russia | 4–4 |
| 5 |  France | 6–3 |
| 6 |  Belgium | 4–4 |
| 7 |  Czech Republic | 4–4 |
| 8 |  Sweden | 2–6 |
| 9 |  Great Britain | 2–5 |
| 10 |  Germany | 3–4 |
| 11 |  Ukraine | 2–5 |
| 12 |  Slovenia | 0–7 |
Awards
[edit]- Most valuable player:
Johnny Balentina - Best batter: Tonny Verhaert
- Best pitcher: Michael Leys
Sources[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Chetwynd, Josh (2008). Baseball in Europe : a country by country history. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. pp. 251, 252. ISBN 978-0-7864-3724-5.
- ^ "From Antwerp to Piemonte, 67 years of European Baseball Championship history". Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball. September 9, 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ Wedemeijer, Harry (1997). "European Championships Baseball 29 August - 7 September 1997, Paris". home.wanadoo.nl. Archived from the original on 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ^ "Archief Europees kampioenschap". Honkbalsite archief (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-12-15.
External links
[edit]- "Rosters of top three teams at the European Championship". sport-komplett.de (in German). Retrieved 2025-12-15.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| City | Paris |
| Dates | 29 August – 7 September 1997 |
| Teams | 12 |
| Defending champions |  Netherlands |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Italy |
| Runners-up | Netherlands |
| Third place |  Spain |
| Fourth place |  Russia |
| Awards | |
| MVP | Johnny Balentina |
The 1997 European Baseball Championship was won by Italy. It was held in Paris, France. In a battle of undefeated teams, Italy defeated the defending champion, the Netherlands, 4–2 in the finale. It was the last European championship to feature aluminum bats. The field expanded from 10 teams at the 1995 championship to 12 teams and featured one first-time participant, the Czech Republic.
Dutch catcher Johnny Balentina won his second consecutive tournament MVP award.[1] The Netherlands subsequently won every European championship until 2010, when the Italy again snapped the Dutch's title run.[2]
Standings
| Pos. | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 8–0 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 7–1 |
| 3 | Spain | 5–3 |
| 4 | Russia | 4–4 |
| 5 |  France | 6–3 |
| 6 | .svg/1280px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small} Belgium | 4–4 |
| 7 |  Czech Republic | 4–4 |
| 8 |  Sweden | 2–6 |
| 9 |  Great Britain | 2–5 |
| 10 |  Germany | 3–4 |
| 11 |  Ukraine | 2–5 |
| 12 |  Slovenia | 0–7 |
Sources[1][3][4]
Awards
- Most valuable player: Johnny Balentina
- Best batter: Tonny Verhaert
- Best pitcher: Michael Leys
Sources[1]
References
- ^ a b c Chetwynd, Josh (2008). Baseball in Europe : a country by country history. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. pp. 251, 252. ISBN 978-0-7864-3724-5.
- ^ "From Antwerp to Piemonte, 67 years of European Baseball Championship history". Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball. September 9, 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ Wedemeijer, Harry (1997). "European Championships Baseball 29 August - 7 September 1997, Paris". home.wanadoo.nl. Archived from the original on 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ^ "Archief Europees kampioenschap". Honkbalsite archief (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-12-15.
External links
- "Rosters of top three teams at the European Championship". sport-komplett.de (in German). Retrieved 2025-12-15.