Super 6 2018: Final canceled, Dutch declared winners
Once again Pluvius was the spoiler. After the game between Spain and Kingdom of the Netherlands was postponed on Friday night with the Dutch leading 3-0, the continuation of the game after eight full innings on Saturday was impossible as the floodgates of heaven opened again. As the game was called after eight full innings after which the Dutch had a 12-10 lead, they moved on to the final to meet archrival Italy.
But today, once again, it was raining cats and dogs and the organizing committee announced the game was canceled due to superfluous rainfall. As a result of the final standings of the round robin in which the Kingdom of the Netherlands remained the only unbeaten team, even though they had not played Belgium yet, the Dutch were declared the winner of the first ever Super 6 tournament.
Of course, the weather cannot be controlled but this outcome is rather disappointing. Especially because of the play the Italians showed, they had deserved more. It might have been much more satisfying as both the Dutch and the Italians would have been declared co-champions. You cannot blame the organization of the tournament for not keeping the weather in check, but the outcome may be the only black mark on a splendid week. Next to the rain of the final two days, the hard wind that blew all week was a bit of a spoiler. Due to that wind, a LOT of home runs were hit. Take the game between Italy and the Czech Republic for example. In that game, eleven home runs (nine by Italy) were hit.
The Super 6 tournament was organized to perfection. For both baseball and softball fans, there was a lot to see of their favorite sports. The amenities were very well.
With baseball turning to a normal schedule with the European Championship next year in the German cities Bonn and Solingen, it is unlikely the Super 6 tournament may ever be organized again. But once again I tip my cap to the organizers, who managed to create a great week of baseball and softball.