18th EBCA Convention 2023

Every year the EBCA Convention is held in an European city. More than two days of international speakers about baseball. Learn, refresh and review your coaching knowlegde of the baseball game.

The 18th edition in 2023 the EBCA convention will be held in Mulhouse (F) from Friday evening November 10th till Sunday evening November 12th, 2023.

The confirmed speakers you can find below.

Pre-registration (till October 31st) is open now.
 

ECBA Convention 2023: Mulhouse, France

New Partnership with ScoutUS Pro

We are delighted to announce the official partnership between EBCA and ScoutUs Pro. This partnership represents an exciting new chapter in the development of baseball in Europe, bringing together two organizations that are committed to supporting and advancing the sport at all levels. ScoutUs Pro is a cutting-edge platform that provides advanced statistical analysis and video scouting for baseball players, coaches, and scouts.

As part of this partnership, members of EBCA will receive a one (1) year free subscription to ScoutUs Pro's advanced statistical analysis and video scouting features, enabling them to better evaluate, develop and find talent across the world. This is an exciting opportunity for coaches and players alike, and ScoutUs Pro is thrilled to be working with EBCA to help promote the growth of baseball in Europe.

If you are not an EBCA member yet, sign up now!
All members will be notified personally with all details how to enjoy their free subscription. If you are a current EBCA member and haven't received this information, please contact us.

New Partnership with ScoutUS Pro - EBCA

Videos from the 18th EBCA Convention in Mulhouse, France!

Sat 9 December 2023 - By: Staff

Dive into the wealth of knowledge shared during our phenomenal sessions – all captured in videos, now available online! Embark on this enlightening...

ABCA Convention 2024

International coaches meeting
Wed 6 December 2023 - By: Tom O\'Connell

Each year at our annual convention, the American Baseball Coaches Association hosts a gathering for all international coaches attending the event. As the...

EBCA on Instagram

@ebcainfo
Sat 21 October 2023 - By: Staff

After a little hiccup, we're thrilled to announce our triumphant return to Instagram! 🚀 Join us on this exciting journey, and rest assured, we're h...

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EBCA CONVENTION 2023:
MULHOUSE (F)

The convention will be held at the Centre Sportif Régional Alsace, which is located in the southern part of Mulhouse. The Sports Center is easy reachable by public transport (train > tram > 2 min. walk) and car (parking at university). EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is less than 30km from the EBCA Convention and hotel.
 
Pricing 2023:
We have adjusted the formula slightly and provide a 3-course lunch on Saturday and Sunday Convention 2023 pre-registration: € 99 (incl. EBCA Membership & 2 lunches)
Pre-registration price available till October, 31st 2023.
Convention 2023 at the door: € 110 (incl. EBCA Membership & 2 lunches)

Convention 2023 one day Friday: € 40 (no EBCA Membership nor lunch included)
Convention 2023 one day Saturday or Sunday: € 55 (no EBCA Membership, but lunch included!)
(there is no formula without lunch available)

Tradionally we have our EBCA Awards Dinner on Saturday evening. More information on dinner here.

Check out the HOTEL INFORMATION for special deals, both at the Centre Sportif and Mercure hotel.



 

HOTEL/LODGING INFORMATION

NOTICE! The EBCA Convention 2023 is NOT held at the offered hotel.

STAY AT THE CENTRE SPORTIF

Stay closeby, directly at the Sports Center where the convention is held. The Sports Center offers single and double rooms, incl. breakfast, at a very favorable rate:

  • Single room, incl. breakfast, per night: € 29,30 / room
  • Double room, incl. breakfast, per night: € 49,50 / room

You can make your reservations directly by email at .
Be sure to mention the special rate code: EBCA2023.
No additional tax is charged, because it's a sports center

 

STAY AT THE MERCURE HOTEL MULHOUSE CENTRE

Most of the speakers and EBCA staff will be staying at the Mercure Hotel. It's located right across the railway station, near Mulhouse city center.
There is a direct tram line from the front of the hotel to the Centre Sportif. The Mercure hotel offers comfortable single and double rooms, incl. breakfast, at a special EBCA rate:

  • Single room, incl. breakfast, per night: € 80,00 / room
  • Double room, incl. breakfast, per night: € 88,00 / room
  • Additional tax: € 1,60 / night / person

You can make your reservations directly by email at .
Be sure to mention the special rate code: EBCA2023.

SPEAKERS 2023

Reggie Smith - 7 Time MLB All-Star @ EBCA Convention 2023

Reggie Smith

7 Time MLB All-Star
Reggie Smith Academy

Originally signed by the Minnesota Twins, Reggie was acquired by the Boston Red Sox in 1963. He hit 149 home runs and drove in 536 runs during his seven years with Boston, both team records for a switch hitter. In 1968, he garnered a Gold Glove Award as an outfielder, with 390 putouts, and in 1970, notched an amazing fifteen outfield assists.

Reggie hit 20 or more doubles for nine straight seasons, twice leading the American League. His 314 career home runs placed him fourth on the switch-hitters list when he retired. Reggie appeared in seven All-Star games with the Red Sox, the St. Louis Cardinals (1974-1976), and Los Angeles Dodgers (1976-1981). Reggie played in four World Series, winning in 1981.

After a one-year stint with the San Francisco Giants in 1982, Reggie played two years in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants, before finishing his playing career. The Dodgers brought him back into the organization to be their Minor League Coordinator. Later, Reggie became the Dodgers’ hitting instructor and first base coach. He was instrumental in the development of several Dodger Rookies of the Year, including Hall of Famer, Mike Piazza, as well as Eric Karros, Raul Mondesi and Todd Hollandsworth.

Reggie’s reputation as a coach and teacher didn’t escape the notice of USA Baseball, and in 1999 Reggie helped coach Team USA to a Silver Medal in the Pan Am games, the qualifier for the Olympics. The team was primarily made up of minor leaguers who went on to beat a highly-favored Cuban team to take the Gold Medal in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, with Reggie as their hitting coach.

Director Billy Crystal asked Reggie to be the technical consultant on 61*, the film depicting the 1961 home run race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. With precious little time, Reggie trained the stars to literally become the M&M boys.

Today, Reggie consults with major league baseball organizations, offers private and small-group instruction for players of all amateur and professional levels, as well as trains and certifies coaches for various amateur and school baseball leagues around the world.

CJ Beatty, PNational Team Head Coach IMG Baseball @ EBCA Convention 2023

CJ Beatty

Baseball & Softball Motivator

CJ Beatty is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. CJ’s baseball accomplishments led him to be selected in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2014 he signed a free agent contract to play in the Chicago White Sox organization. After a 6 year professional career CJ retired from playing and was hired by the St. Louis Cardinals as a professional scout and assistant hitting coach.

Currently, Beatty is an international speaker & one of the top baseball and softball speakers in the world. For over a decade, CJ has traveled around the United States, Zürich Switzerland, Canada, the Dominican Republic and Australia hosting camps, clinics, and delivering powerful messages to leadership organizations.

His Social media is where you can find daily motivation to help you move faster towards your dreams and goals. CJ Beatty’s YouTube Channel has millions of views and has reached people in over 220 countries. Lastly, CJ is a positive music artist. You will hear his music at almost every baseball softball event around the world.

Instagram: @cjbeatty44
X (former Twitter): @cjbeatty44

Don Sneddon - Alaska Summer Collegiate League @ EBCA Convention 2023

Don Sneddon

Alaska Summer Collegiate League

After 32 seasons as the team’s skipper, Sneddon stepped down as the head coach of the Santa Ana College Dons in 2014, marking the end of his record-setting career.

Sneddon’s tenure ends with a career 1,072-383-3 overall record, netting the most wins of all time in California community college history. After breaking the career wins record in 2006 with his 832nd victory (a 2-1 win at Riverside City College on March 21), Sneddon went on to become the first coach to record over 1,000 wins.

Among those 1,072 victories are three state championships and 16 conference championships. Sneddon also led the Dons to the second round of state postseason competition for 25 consecutive seasons from 1988-2012.

His baseball coaching career also included being an assistant coach at California State University, Fullerton 75-76, assistant coach at Santa Ana college 77-81. Sneddon also served as an assistant coach for Team USA in 1992. In 2014 he managed the Colorado Rockies Advanced “A” team in Modesto. In the summer of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 Sneddon accepted the offer to become field manager for the Wareham Gatemen of the prestigious Cape Cod Collegiate Summer League. Just one year later, 2018, he won the Cape Cod League Championship.

Sneddon played at California State University, Fullerton and was the conference MVP and the University’s first All American baseball player.

He has recently been selected to manage the Anchorage Bucs in the prestigious Alaska League during the summer of 2024.

Tom O'Connell - ISG @ EBCA Convention 2023

Tom O'Connell

ABCA Hall of Fame
ISG Baseball

The first high school coach ever elected President of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), Tom O’Connell recently retired after 51 years of coaching baseball. From 1969 – 2000, he coached at Pulaski High School in Milwaukee where his teams won more games than any sport in the school’s history. After retiring from the school as a teacher, he coached the next 15 years at suburban Catholic Central High School in Burlington, Wisconsin where his Hilltoppers won five State Championships while appearing in the State Quarterfinals a record ten straight years. For the last five years of his career, he worked at reviving a program which had fallen on hard times in St. Francis, Wisconsin.

Throughout his career, O’Connell received many accolades including being selected National Coach of the Year three times: in 2004, 2010 and 2011. In 1995, he coached the USA Baseball North Team in the United States Olympic Festival in Colorado, the last of such festivals ever conducted. He was also named Midwest Coach of the Year four times, conference coach of the year on numerous occasions, and has been inducted into five different Halls of Fame including that of the ABCA where in 2007 became only the 16th high school coach to be inducted in its history.

After leading the High School Division of the ABCA from 1984-1996, he was elected an officer of the group and served as President in 2002. He now serves on the Board of Directors and hosts the International Coaches Reception at its annual convention. He presided over the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association for 20 years and in 1991 was named the Wisconsin Man of the Year.

When asked, O’Connell will readily say he is most proud of two of his accomplishments: one is helping develop the ABCA Code of Ethics and chairing a committee which chooses yearly recipients for the Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award, one of the organizations most prestigious honors, which is presented to active coaches whose careers have embodied the concepts in the ABCA Ethics Code, and the other is his ongoing work in international baseball first as a resident Envoy Coach and for the past 20 years educating coaches with ISG Baseball.

An accomplished author, O’Connell has published three books, Coaching Baseball: Techniques and Tactics, one of the top selling baseball handbooks, Coaching Youth Baseball, a manual for youth coaches, and Play Ball: 100 Baseball Practice Games. He also edited Cincinnati Red’s pitching coach Derek Johnson’s successful Complete Guide to Pitching.

Coach O’Connell is a frequent speaker at clinics around the United States and Europe having presented at coaching clinics in eleven states, eleven European nations and in New Zealand. He is president of ISG Baseball and oversees the organization and planning of its annual winter coaching clinics. O’Connell served as the Lead Envoy Coach in Germany for Major League Baseball beginning in 1993 – spending fifteen of his summers developing players and coaches – and has scouted for the Dodgers, Reds, Phillies and Orioles.

Besides his avocation in baseball, he has been intensely involved with Milwaukee Irish Fest, the largest Irish music festival in the world, serving on its Board of Directors, supervising Festival activities and booking entertainment. He and his wife Paula celebrated their golden anniversary in 2017. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Alper Bozkurt @ EBCA Convention 2023

Alper Bozkurt

Elite Youth Sports Coordinator
(Untouchables Paderborn, GER)

Alper Bozkurt has been heavily involved in the development of baseball youth in Europe—primarily Germany—dating back to 1998.

He holds a Masters in Sports Science and is the Elite Youth Sports Coordinator for the Paderborn Untouchables (GER) and is the Assistant Coach for the U18 German National Team.

To-date, Alper Bozkurt has successfully placed five players from the Paderborn program at appropriate college levels in the U.S. and will be utilizing the state-of-the-art facility in Paderborn to verify the abilities of our European prospects.

Roger Salvodelli @ EBCA Convention 2023

Roger Savoldelli

Coach Swiss Baseball Elite National Team

Roger Savoldelli, an integral figure in Swiss baseball, embarked on his coaching journey in 1996, donning the dual role of player and coach. His dedication to the sport was immediately evident as he became deeply involved in the development of youth baseball programs, working closely with Youth and Sports organizations in Switzerland.

With a versatile coaching career that has spanned both club and national team levels, Savoldelli has played a pivotal role in nurturing baseball talent in Switzerland. His influence extends beyond the field as he has also served as the Pitching Coordinator for all National Teams, contributing to the growth of the sport at the national level.

In 2023, Savoldelli had the honor of coaching at the MLB European Development Tournament, an acknowledgment of his expertise and commitment to the game. His contributions have extended to facility development as well, as he founded the Swiss Baseball Pitching Hitting Lab, the first-ever baseball indoor facility in Switzerland, providing a year-round training ground for aspiring players.

Currently, Roger Savoldelli holds the esteemed position of Head Coach for the 18U team and serves as the Pitching Coach for the Elite Team. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, he wears the hat of Head Coach for the Barracudas Academy Team, demonstrating his multifaceted role in shaping the future of Swiss baseball.
Savoldelli's passion for the game, commitment to player development, and dedication to growing the sport in Switzerland mark him as a key figure in the country's baseball landscape, with a legacy that continues to evolve and inspire new generations of players.

CONVENTION SCHEDULE 2023

EBCA Convention 2023 - Thanks to ISG Baseball & partners

EBCA Awards Dinner 2023

Join us for the 2023 EBCA Award Dinner.
Celebrate with us the newest awardees and meet our speakers and colleagues from all around Europe and the USA.

Saturday November 11th, 2023 - 21.00
At Volfoni Mulhouse, 11 Rue De La Moselle, Mulhouse
We will be dining a la carte, aiming for main course and optional dessert.
Please pre-register at
to secure your seat at the table.
There are only 40 seats available!
Take a peak at their menu: Notre Carte