Major League atmosphere in Germany

The European Baseball Winter Meeting (EBWM) is an international platform for the further development of baseball and will take place in Solingen from November 6 to 8, 2026. In a unique triad format, coaches will be trained in classroom sessions, while the same instructors will conduct player clinics right next door. Parallel tracks will run for administration, health, and parent work.

Choose from the following package:

The aim is to promote uniform standards, education, and leadership—with a measurable impact on the next generation of baseball in Europe. The event is supported by ABCA, EBCA, CBW/BBF, MLBPAA, the Solingen Alligators, the Sports Federation, and the City of Solingen.

What is it about?

EBWM brings together coaches, players, umpires, as well as representatives from federations, medical/health fields, and parent/community work to harmonize education, standards, and expectations across Europe—creating measurable, long-term impact.

Who is EBWM for?

Coaches/field managers, players, and umpires
Federations and club decision-makers (administration and officials), as well as healthcare professionals (arm care, mental health)
Parents/families and everyone who wants to strengthen the development and integrity of the sport

The format: Triad (combining theory and practice)

Classroom (Coaches): Advanced sessions including former MLB players, current MLB coaches, and top European experts.
Clinics (Players): On-field training—led by the same instructors for maximum consistency.
Umpires: Specialized instruction by two highly respected umpires.
Parallel tracks: Program development, fundraising, arm care, and mental health.

Why does it matter?

A shared language and common standards for coaching, education, and game operations.
Strengthening coaching, leadership, and ethics as the foundation for sustainable development.
A consistent link between theory and practice through an integrated learning format.

International guests/speakers:

Mike Butcher is a former MLB pitcher (1992–1995, California Angels) who is best known as a successful pitching coach. With the Angels (2007–2015), his pitchers led the American League in wins. He later worked for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2016–2017), where he focused on developing young talent and strategic pitching concepts.

Ubaldo Jiménez is a Dominican-American former MLB pitcher known for his outstanding 2010 season with the Colorado Rockies, during which he started the All-Star Game and threw a no-hitter. He played for the Rockies, Cleveland Indians, and Baltimore Orioles and was known for his powerful fastballs and curveballs. Jiménez finished his career with over 100 wins, won an Emmy for a documentary, and graduated from college while playing professionally to fulfill a promise to his mother.

Jim Leyritz is a former MLB catcher and infielder best known for his clutch postseason hits with the New York Yankees. He won two World Series (1996, 1999) with the Yankees. His home run in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves is legendary and is considered the turning point of the series. Leyritz was born in Lakewood, Ohio, attended the University of Kentucky, and made his MLB debut in 1990. During his 11-year career, he played for the Yankees, Angels, Rangers, Red Sox, Padres, and Dodgers, among others. He hit a total of 8 home runs in the postseason. Today, Leyritz is involved in charity work, gives lectures, and is a spokesperson for PinkTie.org.

Derrick May is a former MLB outfielder who played for the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos, and Baltimore Orioles. Born on July 14, 1968, he is the son of former MLB player Dave May. At the age of 17, May was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the first round (No. 9 overall) of the 1986 MLB Draft straight out of high school in Newark, Delaware. From 1990 to 1999, he completed a ten-year MLB career with a batting average of .271, 52 home runs, and 310 RBIs. After his playing career, May worked as a hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and their minor league teams, among others, where he was valued for his clear communication of hitting technique and his passion for baseball.

Hensley “Bam-Bam” Meulens, born in Curaçao, was the first MLB player from Curaçao and played seven seasons in the MLB (including the Yankees, Expos, and Diamondbacks). After his playing career, he became a highly successful coach, winning several World Series as the long-time hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants and leading the Netherlands to success in the World Baseball Classic. Meulens speaks five languages and was awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau (knighthood) for his extraordinary career.

Ron Polk is a college baseball legend and the most successful coach in the history of the Southeastern Conference. He was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009. Among his greatest honors are the Lefty Gomez Award (1988) and the presidency of the American Baseball Coaches Association (1986). Polk led his teams to eight College World Series appearances, five SEC championships, and 23 regional appearances. He is one of only three coaches to have led three different programs to the College World Series and ranks ninth on the all-time NCAA Division I wins list. At Mississippi State University, he coached numerous future Major League players, including Will Clark, Rafael Palmeiro, and Jonathan Papelbon. A total of 185 of his players signed professional contracts, with 23 playing in MLB. Polk also made his mark on the sport as the national coach of Team USA and as the author of the standard work “The Baseball Playbook.”

Ryan Sienko is the catching coach for the Detroit Tigers and is known for his modern, data-driven approach to development. He combines classic catching fundamentals such as framing, blocking, and throwing mechanics with analytics and mental and physical training, and places great emphasis on the collaboration between pitchers and catchers. As a former player, former catching coordinator for the Dodgers, and founder of Catch & Throw Clinics, he brings a wealth of experience to the table. His role with the Tigers is primarily to develop coaches, standardize practices, and communicate best practices across the organization—an approach that has contributed significantly to the Dodgers' success. Leadership, accountability, and the targeted use of modern technology are at the heart of his philosophy.

Andrelton Simmons, known as “Simba,” is a world-class shortstop from Curaçao and is considered one of the best defensive players in baseball history. The four-time Gold Glove winner impressed with his exceptional range, arm strength, and instinct for the game, leading all relevant defensive statistics for years. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2010, he made his debut in 2012 and played for the Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago Cubs, among others. Simmons retired at the end of 2023 after his active career. Today, he is involved with Simba's Helping Hands, which supports children and young people worldwide and promotes self-confidence, vision, and leadership skills through creative programs.

Accommodation during the EBWM

As part of the EBWM, we are offering our guests a dedicated hotel room contingent for the period from November 6, 2026, to November 8, 2026, in cooperation with the Holiday Inn - the niu Blade and the Holiday Inn – the niu Tab Düsseldorf Main Station – the code will be provided to you after your booking has been received.

The special price is €80.00 per room/night (optional extra: breakfast €14.50 per person/night).
The room allocation is valid until September 11, 2026.

Agenda

Freitag, 6.11.2026
Welcomme Reception	TBD	19:30 Uhr
Samstag, 7.11.2026
Format	Location	Uhrzeit	Instruktoren
Pitcher's / Catcher's University <15y	Klingenhalle	11:30-14:45 Uhr	Mike Butcher, Ubaldo Jimenez, Markus Solbach, Andre Hughes Simon Gühring, Jim Leyritz, Ryan Sienko
Pitcher's / Catcher's University 8-14y	Klingenhalle	15:30-18:45 Uhr	Mike Butcher, Ubaldo Jimenez, Markus Solbach, Andre Hughes Simon Gühring, Jim Leyritz, Ryan Sienko
Baseball University (IF/OF) 8-14y	Krahenhöhe	11:30-14:45 Uhr	Andrelton Simmons, Jendric Speer
Baseball University (IF/OF) >15y	Krahenhöhe	15:30-18:45 Uhr	Andrelton Simmons, Jendric Speer
Hitting Gruppe 1	Cage Ballpark	12:00-14:00 Uhr	Hensley Meulens, Derrick May, Dan Briggs (?)
Hitting Gruppe 2	Cage Ballpark	14:15-16:15 Uhr	Hensley Meulens, Derrick May, Dan Briggs
Hitting Gruppe 3	Cage Ballpark	16:30-18:30 Uhr	Hensley Meulens, Derrick May, Dan Briggs
Coaches Workshop (2 Tage) - Tag 1	alle Locations	Sa, 9:30-18:15 Uhr
Umpire Workshop	alle Locations	11:00-16:45 Uhr	Tim Meyer, Kevin Music, Natola Hawthorne
Tagesticket Eltern / Zuschauer	Klingenhalle / Schule	Daypass
Abendveranstaltung	TBD	ab 19:30 Uhr
Sonntag, 8.11.2026
Pitcher's / Catcher's University 8-14y	Klingenhalle	10:45-14:00 Uhr	Mike Butcher, Ubaldo Jimenez, Markus Solbach, Andre Hughes Simon Gühring, Jim Leyritz, Ryan Sienko
Pitcher's / Catcher's University >15y	Klingenhalle	14:30-17:45 Uhr	Mike Butcher, Ubaldo Jimenez, Markus Solbach, Andre Hughes Simon Gühring, Jim Leyritz, Ryan Sienko
Baseball University (IF/OF) >15y	Krahenhöhe	10:45-14:00 Uhr	Andrelton Simmons, Jendric Speer
Baseball University (IF/OF) 8-14y	Krahenhöhe	14:30-17:45 Uhr	Andrelton Simmons, Jendric Speer
Hitting Gruppe 1	Cage Ballpark	11:30-13:30 Uhr	Hensley Meulens, Derrick May, Dan Briggs (?)
Hitting Gruppe 2	Cage Ballpark	13:45-15:45 Uhr	Hensley Meulens, Derrick May, Dan Briggs (?)
Hitting Gruppe 3	Cage Ballpark	16:00-18:00 Uhr	Hensley Meulens, Derrick May, Dan Briggs (?)
Coaches Workshop (2 Tage) - Tag 2	alle Locations	So, 9:30-18:00 Uhr
Umpire Workshop	alle Locations	10:45-16:30 Uhr	Tim Meyer, Kevin Music, Natola Hawthorne
Tagesticket Eltern / Zuschauer	Klingenhalle / Schule	Daypass

European Baseball Winter Meetings

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