After the holidays, Brie Berkopec will be gearing up to do a little traveling — and to play a little softball.

Berkopec, a senior at Mars High School, will take part in Cup 2006, an international fast-pitch tournament, which will be held Jan. 13 to 15 in Schiedam, The Netherlands.

Berkopec, who will be a member of the North American Select team, was chosen because of her affiliation with the Pittsburgh Spirit, her summer travel team.

"My coach goes to The Netherlands every year, and there are five (age division) teams that go," said Berkopec. "He talked to them … and the director came and watched me play."

Only about 11 players are chosen per team. Berkopec's first position will be at catcher, the second at third base.

"My first summer with the 16-and-under team, I mostly played third base," said Berkopec. "I'm pretty comfortable at third base, but I'm primarily a catcher. I've played there since I was 9 years old."

Berkopec also played third base as a sophomore for the Mars varsity team, then shifted to catcher last year and helped the Planets to earn a playoff victory and to advance to the WPIAL Class AA quarterfinal round.

"She's a player that's put in a lot of time and effort," said Mars coach Michelle Goodworth. "She's a hard worker and a team player and being behind the plate, she has to be in control and know what's going on all the time.

"She's been a part of softball for so long, it's almost a part of her daily routine," Goodworth added.

Teams from The Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Denmark and Austria have already committed to Cup 2006, as well as the Dutch Olympic athletes.

"It's a different level of play. It's inside and they use a rubber ball," Berkopec said. "That will be a different approach and I want to try and get as many difference approaches as I can," Berkopec said.

The selections were based on talent as well as attitude. Goodworth knows Berkopec will fit in quite nicely.

"She gets excited if she hits a home run out of the park, obviously," said Goodworth. "But on days she hits doubles, she's happy, too."

The trip does not come cheap, however, as it will cost about $3,000 for each player, and Berkopec's will join her on the trip.

"We made some of the payments as a family and I'm working two jobs," said Berkopec. "I wrote letters to area businesses and friends and family."

The money goes to the tournament director's company, and if they get more than enough sponsorship money, some of the funds go back to the participant, which can be used for spending money.

An added feature to the trip is a three-day, three-night visit by the team to Paris.

"It's very exciting," said Berkopec. "It should be a great trip."