Trip to Italy spells victory for Bella Vista softball player
Posted on Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Playing softball comes second nature to villager Arlyn Engelken, but playing in Italy is a whole new ball game.
Engelken traveled to Italy along with his wife, Rose, as part of Senior Softball USA's international tournament, the Golden Italy Tour, from Oct. 9 through Oct. 23. His USA team won the tournament in Rome, beating out teams from Germany, the Dominican Republic and local Italy teams.
Engelken was voted the offensive MVP of his team, hitting safely in 14 of his 17 at-bats.
More important than the competition and winning, however, was experiencing other people and their cultures.
"Part of the whole thing is the cultural exchange," Engelken said of the couple's first trip overseas. "It's neat to meet players from different countries. Some of the language barriers are tough, though."
Representing the United States in the tournament were three teams made up of players mostly from California and Florida. Engelken has played with traveling teams for 11 years.
When they weren't playing softball, the couple took in all the sights Italy has to offer. In a town called Stresa, they marveled at seeing the foothills of the Alps. In that town was also a Sept. 11 tribute to the American victims, which was nice to see, Rose Engelken said.
Lake Maggiore in Stresa was another beautiful attraction, featuring an enormous castle with ornate gardens on an island called Isola Bella.
Arlyn Engelken's favorite city was Florence, once a walled city where the evidence of which can still be seen. In Venice, the couple experienced floating through the canals on a gondola ride and toured cathedrals.
"We spent one day touring all the astonishing cathedrals," Rose Engelken said.
One of the trip's highlights came in Rome when they attended Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. The Engelkens joined thousands at noon in the cathedral's square to get a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI and receive his blessing. The couple also toured the Vatican and the Colosseum.
Fellowship and being an ambassador for your country was an important part of the tournament, according to Arlyn Engelken. Aftergame socials and awards banquets gave the different peoples a chance to mingle with one another, he said.
Softball rules are a little different abroad, and the sport is gaining in popularity in European countries where soccer dominates public interest.
"It varies in all countries," he said. "Japan is a hot-bed for softball. The Caribbean areas are also big on it. "
The Engelkens, who moved to the village from Illinois in 1994, plan to participate in next year's international tournament in
"I play about 100 games a year," the first baseman and outfielder said.
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