*with some exceptions
Join Us for Our 23rd Edition in 2019!
Fastpitch Europe
Cup Trip 2019!
“Wherever You Go, Go With All Your Heart!”
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
Imagine playing the sport you love on an International field against some of Europe’s most talented fastpitch players. Imagine also playing as the official US fastpitch team for the Cup! Our goal is to assemble the two best teams of women to represent our country while experiencing the beautiful sights of Paris and Amsterdam. Selected athletes and their families join our seasoned staff on an eight day guided adventure through France and the Netherlands, creating memories they will keep forever.
You’ll gain friendships across our country and Europe with fellow passionate fastpitch players with great attitudes. You’ll learn new skills and tips from our skilled coaches and staff.
Are you ready?
If you have the heart to give it your all, the desire to play internationally, and the ability to grow relationships with others who share your same passion, than this trip is for YOU!
Travel and Train Across the World With...
Peter Katz
Coach
Born and Raised – Pittsburgh PA, Married 23 years to wife Colleen. 3 kids Grace 17, Claire 16, Trevor 13
Softball – Indiana Township Coach and Commissioner 2007-2012, Pittsburgh Predators 2011-2018, Queen of Diamonds and Cup 2014-2018
Softball to me is helping the many fine young ladies I have had the honor to coach - set and reach their goals both on and off the field. I set high expectations for my players, pushing them to be the best they can be and always competing at a high level. Treating all opponents with respect, being humble while winning and gracious in defeat. I expect them to excel in the classroom and their communities as well. While we have won our share of tournaments, the accomplishment I am most proud of is being awarded the MVT at the 2017 All Sanction World Series chosen out of over 100 teams. This is awarded to the team with the most accomplishments in the classroom and in their communities.
Queen of Diamonds and Cup – Softball and travel are 2 of my favorite passions. To be able to combine these 2 passions on one adventure is a dream come true. To be able to share this experience with my daughters is priceless. I am a believer in experiences and to watch all these young ladies have the experience of a lifetime is very rewarding. To quote the players on my first ever Cup team as we stood in front of the Eiffel Tower getting a team picture: “This was the best thing I have ever done in my life!”
Personal information and interests – Enjoy travelling and sharing experiences with my family. Family First. Sales Manager Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits for 20 years. Fundraiser for the Leukemia Society and Allegheny Health Network Colorectal Cancer. Pittsburgh Penguins Fan. Bicycle Enthusiast who has done over 15 century rides. Graduated Washington & Jefferson College. Wrestled in college and exited college with 2nd most pins in school history.
Jeff Smith
Coach
Hi, I'm Jeff Smith. I live with my beautiful wife in Woodville, Ohio. I work for Lucas County Engineer. We have 6 Grandson ages 10 to 2 who keep us very busy.
When not on the softball field you will find me at a dirt track wrenching and doing tires on a Late Model. I also enjoy heading to Lake Erie to do some fishing. Having 6 Grandsons, we spend the majority of our time watching them as they are involved with everything.
On the softball side. I got interested in coaching women's softball several years ago. I started coaching, as a hobby, with summer Rec ball but quickly moved on to highschool and travel ball. After a couple years I found myself moving on to college ball playing in the NJCAA. Kirt invited me to coach in his Queen of Diamonds Showcase and Cup trip 10 years ago. I've been hooked ever since. The Cup trip brings girls from other countries together to play the game. I enjoy the competition of the tournament but most of all I love watching new friendships and memories being made. We may speak different languages but the love of the game remains the same. Its a trip of a lifetime!
Rich LeViere
Coach
Rich LeViere is the President and Head instructor for the Pittsburgh Spirit Travel Teams. Rich started the organization in 1998 after successfully coaching for many years at the high school level in the area. He has developed hundreds of athletes within the 20-year span as well as provided countless pitchers with instruction from the beginner to the advanced level. More than 500 athletes have obtained college scholarships through his tutelage and 2 have gone onto play professionally with the Akron Racers. In addition to his formation of The Pittsburgh Spirit Organization, Coach LeViere has 20 years of coaching experience at the World Cup of Softball for Team USA, and was named by ESPN as one of 12 best travel softball coaches in the country in 2006.
Rich LeViere has been married to his wife Linda for 46 years. They reside in the Pittsburgh area having raised 6 children (2 sons and 4 daughters) where they are the proud grandparents of 19 grandchildren. All four of Rich’s daughters led successful softball careers up through the collegiate level, a few of which coached at the collegiate level and continue coaching within the Pittsburgh Spirit Organization where their own daughters and Rich’s grandchildren play as well.
Rich continues to coach and develop athletes because of his sheer love and passion of the game, as well as his desire to help female athletes earn opportunities to further their education at the collegiate level.
Tom Stroia
Coach
About me....I Live in Spanish Fort, AL. Married with two daughters and a son. Both of my daughters play softball with my younger daughter playing basketball too. My son plays baseball, football and basketball.
I’ve been coaching softball for 10+ years now including high school, travel and park ball. I’ve coached at the Cup 6 times and several of the Queen of Diamonds events. Two of those Cup trips I had my oldest daughter there playing. It was an amazing experience both of us and we made memories that will last us a lifetime. She still continues to talk to the friends she’s made overseas.
I wish every softball player could take advantage of this opportunity. It is truly an amazing experience that these girls will remember the rest of their lives! To see the girls come together as a team playing is something special to watch but to see them bond as a group and enjoy the time away from the game seeing the sights and taking in the culture really makes the trip special!
Monte Gaddis
Coach
My name is Monte Gaddis and I'm from Indiana. I have 2 wonderful daughters that both were very active throughout their playing years in all sports, including softball, with one being a DII Scholarship softball player. They have both went on to become basketball and softball coaches in Indiana.
I've coached travel softball teams in both Indiana and Ohio from 2000 to 2017 when I finally gave it up, but I continue to coach Indiana high school softball where I've been a head coach for 10 years.
I'm part of several organizations that are involved in girls athletics, serving on executive committees.
I've also been part of ``The Q Sport`` staff since 2008 where I began coaching in the Queen of Diamond events and then I'm 2010 going on this AWESOME trip when my oldest daughter played in ``The Cup``. I've continued each year since 2010 as a head coach in The Cup. My youngest daughter participated in 2014. Both my daughters said ``this was an experience of a lifetime`` both referring to a trip that we probably would have never made with out The Cup. Both talking about both the softball experience and personal experience of meeting new people and continuing to be friends with them still today.
I get asked each year why I go back since I don't have my daughters playing anymore, and my response every time is ``because I truly believe in this wonderful experience and love sharing it with all the families I meet, including the families that I've met and continue to visit each year I travel back.
Bill Grannis
Coach
Born and raised in New Castle, PA. Married 23 years to my wife Trish. We have one daughter Brittany 23. We have one miniature schnauzer Tucker 17. We currently live in Cape Coral, FL.
I have been involved with softball since 1999. I am a cofounder of Silver Creek Fastpitch in 2004 in New Castle, PA. I coached at the HS level for two years. I've been coaching in the QDS events since 2010 and the indoor Cup since 2013. I'm very enthusiastic when I coach. Win or lose our team will have a blast! We will represent the United States with class. Hearing our National Anthem at opening and closing ceremonies is amazing! The Thursday night clinic with approximately 75 Dutch youth is so neat!
My daughter is a two time participant in the indoor Cup 2012/2016. She has made friends that will last a lifetime during the trip. She is planning on going for a visit to the Netherlands this summer to stay with one of the athletes she met in 2012. She has come to visit us several times in Florida. The trip is not only softball oriented but seeing the different cultures and meeting softball coaches/players that you would never have met in your life. You play against world class athletes from different countries. The trip is very educational as you get to see several different cultures in the week that we are gone.
The type of athletes
we are looking for…
We are looking for athletes who love the game! We want passionate players who are looking for a new opportunity and are open to new experiences. You have to be willing to make new friends and memories.
Attitude Matters
Being a talented player is great—but having a positive attitude is key. We seek high energy individuals with an optimistic outlook.
Created for:
- High school/club athletes and their parents
- College athletes
- Athletes looking for opportunity
- Travelers
Attitude required:
- Love to travel
- Open to other cultures
- Ready to play the game a little differently
- Excited to compete and make friends
Personality needed:
- Friendly
- Positive
- Hard Working
- Team player
Passion wanted:
- Motivated to improve your game
- Eager to learn and work with others
- Excited to compete on an international field
Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime?
8 Great Days Abroad!
DAY 1: See Ya Later, USA!
Embark on your first destination: Amsterdam.
Flights from your nearest airport are scheduled on your behalf. Make sure to bring snacks for the plane – it’s quite a journey crossing the pond!
DAY 2: Amsterdam Experience
Arrive and be greeted by our team at the airport. We’ll be there to escort you to the hotel by motor coach.
Tour Rotterdam and enjoy lunch in the city.
2 pm – Receive your room key and complimentary tram pass.
2 pm – Meet the Team gathering at the hotel.
3 pm – Enjoy the rest of the day with your family exploring Rotterdam.
DAY 3: Explore Amsterdam
7:15 am – Optional Tour departs by motor coach from the hotel lobby (this time may change) for a guided tour of Amsterdam. Tour lasts approximately 6 hours.
There are so many sights to see. Here’s just a few to start:
DAY 4: Tournament Time!
10 am – 6 pm is game time. Schedules will be provided, as well as transportation to the field.
6 pm – Go back to hotel, free to do as you please and take in final views of Rotterdam.
DAY 5: Day 2 of Tournament, Then off to Paris!
8 am – Check out of hotel, bring all luggage with you to motor coach.
9 am – 2:30 pm Tournament games – schedule will be provided.
2:30 pm – Awards Ceremony.
4 pm – Begin the short commute to Paris.
9 pm – Arrive in Paris.
DAY 6: Paris Sightseeing and Team Pictures
8 am – 9 am – Breakfast in the hotel with team and staff.
9 am – 7 pm – Enjoy sightseeing in Paris, France.
7 pm – Team photo session at the “Trocadaro metro stop” (line 9 toward Pont de Sevres).
8 pm – Enjoy Paris at night, a nice dinner near the Eiffel Tower perhaps?
DAY 7: Paris Sightseeing
8 am – 9 am Breakfast in the hotel with team and staff.
9 am – Take in the views of Paris. (There’s more than 4,000 Attractions!) Travel with your family or teammates.
DAY 8: Departure Back Home
Morning – Motor coaches will continue departing families to the airport based on flight times. We will have the flight numbers with pick-up times posted in the hotel lobby.
Return to the USA with stories, pictures, friends and tournament memories that last a lifetime!
$3880 Per Traveler
*We require all athletes under the age of 18 to be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian. More family members are always welcome to come.
Complete Travel Arrangements are Provided, We Strive to Make this Experience as Turnkey as Possible!
