EVENTS

Saskia Kosterink is a dynamic and trailblazing force in Dutch softball, currently serving as the Head Coach of the Netherlands Women's Fastpitch Softball Team under the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB). Her extensive experience as both a player and coach has significantly contributed to the success of softball in the Netherlands.

Born on August 13, 1984, in Zwolle, Kosterink had a distinguished playing career, representing the Dutch national team in 151 international games. She participated in six European Championships, four World Championships, and was part of the team that competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her club career included stints in the Netherlands, Italy, and Australia, showcasing her versatility and deep passion for the game.

After retiring from competition in 2015, Kosterink quickly transitioned into coaching, joining the KNBSB's training center for National Teams and Talent Development in 2017. She specialized in hitting and is the hitting coordinator for TalentTeam NL. Known for her holistic coaching philosophy, she believes that “softball teaches you a lot about life,” emphasizing character development, teamwork, and resilience. In August 2024, Kosterink was appointed Head Coach of the Netherlands Women’s National Team. Her mission is clear: to lead the team toward success at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, fulfilling a long-held dream to coach on the Olympic stage.

Kosterink’s dedication, energy, and vision make her a standout leader in the international softball community. As the top speaker for the softball sessions at the 20th EBCA Convention in Antwerp, she brings unmatched expertise and inspiration to the next generation of coaches and athletes.

Vaughn Robinson is the Director of Skill Development for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he plays a key role in shaping the organization’s approach to player performance and growth. With 19 years of experience in professional baseball, Robinson combines deep expertise in strength and conditioning with a forward-thinking philosophy on player development.

He began his tenure with the Diamondbacks in 2007 and has steadily advanced through the ranks. Since 2021, he has led the franchise's skill development efforts, overseeing programs that span physical conditioning, technical training and skill development. His work is rooted in collaboration—working closely with coaches, trainers, and analysts to craft development plans tailored to the individual needs of each player.

Robinson is known for his holistic approach, emphasizing not just athletic ability, but also the mental resilience and adaptability required to succeed at the highest levels of the game. His efforts have contributed significantly to the growth of players throughout the Diamondbacks’ system.

At the 20th EBCA Convention 2025 in Antwerp, Belgium, Robinson will bring his knowledge and experience to the international coaching community. His session will highlight the principles and practices behind the Diamondbacks’ skill development program, offering actionable insights into building more complete and adaptable athletes. Attendees can expect an engaging and informative presentation from one of baseball’s leading minds in player development.

Pia Bartraij is the Talent Coach for the TTNL softball program and serves as an Embedded Scientist within the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB). With an academic background in Sport Science and Human Movement Science, she brings a fresh and research-driven perspective to athlete development—one that challenges traditional approaches and emphasizes long-term growth.

Specializing in performance monitoring, visual training, applied research, and data analysis, Pia works at the intersection of science and sport. One of her key initiatives has been the implementation of a visual training program aimed at improving athletes’ decision making by strengthening the link between perception and action. In addition, she developed a centralized exercise platform to share knowledge and learning progressions across the federation, supporting coaches in applying innovative, evidence-based practices in their daily work.

In addition to her work with KNBSB, Pia also consults for the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates organization. There, she contributes to applied research projects, supports the integration of visual training, and helps embed scientific thinking into organizational decision-making.

At the 20th EBCA Convention in Antwerp, Pia will lead a softball session on applying science within player development programs. Her talk will highlight how perception-action principles can be implemented through visual training, and will outline key focus areas for building more effective and evidence-informed practices.

As the Strength & Conditioning Coach for the National Baseball and Softball Teams of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (KNBSB), Rian de Boer focuses on building high-level athletes. His training emphasizes creating robust movers by strategically blending strength, mobility, stability, and skill development, all specific to the needs of baseball and softball.

De Boer embraces motor learning and coordination theories such as dynamic systems and ecological motor learning in his coaching. Instead of isolated muscle training, the emphasis is on creating complex, task-specific movement challenges. This helps athletes develop adaptive and resilient movement patterns that are less susceptible to disruptions. His training sessions are designed to mimic the interaction between the athlete and the environment, enabling them to learn to cope with variability and effectively adjust their movements to changing on-field conditions.

In addition to his work with the KNBSB, De Boer shares his insights with other coaches and athletes on the importance of physical preparation. His sessions delve deeper into how a training approach based on dynamic systems theory and ecological motor learning can lead to improved performance. He emphasizes creating a rich learning environment where athletes discover solutions to movement problems themselves.

At the upcoming 20th EBCA Convention in Antwerp, De Boer will deliver a presentation in the main room, aimed at both baseball and softball coaches. His lecture will cover the latest advancements in S&C, with a focus on cultivating robustness in motor control through strength and conditioning training within the lens of the aforementioned theories. Attendees can expect practical strategies to integrate these principles into their own training programs.

Sven Hendrickx, a native of Antwerp, is a prominent figure in Belgian baseball, currently serving as the President of the National Team Commission at the Koninklijke Belgische Baseball- en Softballfederatie (KBBSF-FRBBS). His extensive career spans roles as a player, coach, and mentor, significantly contributing to the development of baseball in Belgium.​

Hendrickx's coaching tenure is marked by notable achievements. He led the Belgian national team, the Red Hawks, as head coach until 2019, after which he continued to influence the sport through various coaching roles. In 2016, his exceptional contributions were recognized when he was named the European Baseball Coaches Association (EBCA) Coach of the Year. ​

Beyond national duties, Hendrickx has been instrumental at the club level, guiding the Hoboken Pioneers to two Division 1 National Championships. His commitment to nurturing talent and promoting the sport has made him a respected mentor within the baseball community.​

In 2025, Hendrickx is set to share his insights and experiences at the 20th EBCA Convention in Antwerp, bringing his hometown pride to an international stage. His participation underscores his ongoing dedication to advancing baseball coaching and development across Europe.

Luc Van Laere is the founder and chief instructor of the European Krav Maga Academy in Antwerp, Belgium. With over 35 years of experience in self-defense training, he holds the rank of Krav Maga Expert Level 5 and is an Advanced Specialized Instructor. His journey began in 1987 when he was first certified by Yaacov Giladi of the European Contact Combat Federation (ECKMF).

At his academy, Van Laere emphasizes a holistic approach to self-protection, integrating mental, verbal, and physical resilience. His training programs are designed not only to teach physical defense techniques but also to enhance psychological preparedness and stress management.

In addition to his instructional work, Van Laere has been featured in various media, including a 2011 documentary highlighting the European Krav Maga Academy's philosophy and training methods.

At the 20th EBCA Convention in November 2025, Van Laere will share his insights on dealing with failure and anxiety, drawing from his extensive experience in high-stress training environments. His session aims to provide coaches with practical tools to build mental resilience and effectively manage pressure, both on and off the field.

For more information about Luc Van Laere and his work, visit the European Krav Maga Academy website (link under name).

Funny detail: the European Krav Maga Academy is neighbors with the baseball shop The Cage.

Tom O'Connell, the first high school coach to serve as President of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), recently retired after an illustrious 51-year career in baseball coaching. From 1969 to 2000, he led Pulaski High School in Milwaukee, where his teams achieved a record number of wins. Following his retirement from teaching, he spent 15 years at Catholic Central High School in Burlington, Wisconsin, where his teams won five state championships and reached the state quarterfinals for ten consecutive years. He later revitalized the baseball program at St. Francis High School.

O'Connell has been named National Coach of the Year three times and Midwest Coach of the Year four times. In 1995, he coached the USA Baseball North Team at the U.S. Olympic Festival, and he has been inducted into five Halls of Fame, including the ABCA Hall of Fame, where he was the 16th high school coach ever inducted.

A leader within the ABCA, O'Connell served as President in 2002 and now sits on its Board of Directors. He is also proud of his contributions to the ABCA Code of Ethics and his ongoing work in international baseball through ISG Baseball.

O'Connell has authored three books, including *Coaching Baseball: Techniques and Tactics*, and has been a frequent speaker at clinics across the U.S., Europe, and New Zealand. He has also scouted for several MLB teams and served as Lead Envoy Coach in Germany for Major League Baseball.

Beyond baseball, O'Connell has been actively involved with Milwaukee Irish Fest, where he has served on its Board of Directors. He and his wife Paula have three children and six grandchildren.