Wednesday 31 August 2016

Fact of the day

The world's largest baseball bat is only 120 feet long weighing in at 68,000 pounds.


Friday 26 August 2016

Interesting history and nowadays of European baseball





Baseball is always considered American game and kind of sport. Nevertheless sport history opens us more details and interesting information.  

The first recorded game of baseball took place in England in 1749. After that America, Canada, Japan and some other countries have become real fans of such kind of sport and entertainment, leaving Europe behind. Europe liked soccer more. In fact it was hard for baseball to become a first choice.

“People in Europe don’t always want to watch a long and sometimes slow game, they would rather watch soccer” - said German Bundesliga player.

But times change and so do people and their view towards baseball.  

Now it can be seen baseball has been budding in Europe. A steady flow of European players are getting signed by Major League organizations. Sport experts note that it’s only a matter of time until a European born player makes a huge mark in the MLB. Baseball observers also add that by 2017 baseball in Europe could be set to reach new heights.

Euro League Baseball (ELB) is set to kick off in 2016. It will be the first year that a professional baseball league in Europe runs with teams from multiple European countries. There are currently two professional leagues in Europe: the Dutch Hoofdklasse and the Italian baseball league. This ELB however, will be a true reflection of the best teams in Europe. So far, there are three teams from Germany, two from Holland, two from France, one from Italy, one from San Marino and one from the Czech Republic.

There are many positive moments in the European baseball life. To say the truth, there are however certain difficulties as well. Money is one of the main challengers many European baseball players face with. In particular it can be said about Ukrainian sportsmen. It is interesting to note that baseball in Ukraine is not very popular game. Baseball has no national support in Ukraine. Nevertheless, there are baseball teams practically in each Ukrainian city. Sportsmen regularly participate in different baseball tournaments. “KNTU – Elisavetgrad” (Kirovograd baseball team) is 20-time champion of Ukraine. Just Kirovograd is considered to be “the baseball capital of Ukraine”.  Most of sportsmen of the Ukrainian national team are players of “KNYU - Elisavetgrad” team. Not long ago, BioTexCom Center for Human Reproduction became a sponsor of “KNYU - Elisavetgrad” team. At the beginning of June number of baseball tournaments took place. Ukrainian team received a quota in the second class tournament under the auspices of the Confederation of European Baseball. This competition took place in French cities Rouen and Chartres and eight teams played. “KNYU - Elisavetgrad” was one of them. Thanks to the BioTexCom center sponsor support players got the opportunity to go to France by air and to live in quite good apartments

Despite certain difficulties, Ukrainian baseball players try their best to make baseball more popular in Ukraine. There are a lot of baseball schools and clubs, where professional sportsmen share their experience and skills with younger generation. That's how the JV Ukrainian baseball team takes after their colleges “KNYU - Elisavetgrad” and show Europe great results. This year wasn`t successful for Ukrainian Football players (our sportsmen scored 0 goals on the European football championship 2016). Baseball team, in turn, showed how to win despite everything http://www.baseballeurope.com/post/ukraine_wins_u21_european_championship_in_tel_aviv 


Without the money, there is only so far baseball can go. And since baseball is not an Olympic sport, many European governments do not fund it as much as other sports. European baseball teams were glad to hear, that International Olympic Committee added five new disciplines to the Olympic Program. Next Games will take place in Tokyo, in 2020. Baseball competition is going to be the part of program.






Thursday 25 August 2016

American coach teaches Ukrainian orphans to play baseball







American of Ukrainian origin, who lives in New York, has dedicated all his life to baseball. Vasyl Tarasko conditions child team in the USA. But most of all Vasyl Tarasko proud is of his relatively recent project - organization of the Child Ukrainian Baseball League for orphans.

It was started in 2004. Vasyl Tarasko sent letters to several dozen Ukrainian orphanages, suggesting administration of these institutions free baseball competition form and necessary baseball accessories. Ukrainian kids have received opportunity to play American national game due to sponsors, Mr. Tarasko found in the USA and Canada. The first child championship was held in Kiev, 2008. Team from one of the Luhansk orphanages won the title of champions.

Since that time Mr. Tarasko visit the annual Child Ukrainian Baseball League and is happy to meet with children from Ukrainian orphanages. Vasyl Tarasko notes he is extremely happy to share his experience with Ukrainian kids.

Parents of American-Ukrainian coach were born in Ukraine and that is why Vasyl Tarasko considers this country to be his second homeland. Child Ukrainian Baseball League was founded in 2004 and today it unites more than 100 thousand orphans from 200 orphanages. According to philanthropist, every child should be able to visit the playing field in order to play and win. Vasyl Tarasko always says: “Smile on the faces of children deprived of parental care is the most valuable feedback to my efforts to popularize baseball in Ukraine”.

Thanks to Ukrainian Diaspora during the recent years, baseball centers were opened in Ilichivsk, Sumy, and Lviv region. In Rivny region Americans, at their own expense, regularly held seminars for coaches. Currently negotiations are conducted towards baseball clubs opening in three Lviv orphanages.

It should be also noted that although baseball has always been traditionally American game Europe has caught up States during the last years. Ukraine is also not an exception. Almost every Ukrainian city has a great baseball team. Kirovograd city is considered to baseball capital of Ukraine. It is in this city, there is the largest number of talented baseball players. In addition multiple champions of Ukraine - "KNTU-Yelizavethrad" team is also from Kirovohrad.


In Ukraine sport enthusiasts, diaspora representatives have found reliable team-mates in the person of school directors, businessmen and politicians. Step by step they plan to build special field for baseball playing and assist baseball players with competition form, equipping and participation in international baseball competitions.

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Best European Baseball Leagues







Baseball is anymore only American game. It’s no secret Europe has great baseball leagues as well. The Italian Baseball League (IBL) and the Dutch Major League are considered to be the top two leagues in Europe. Nevertheless other countries make good their running and show great games and results. For some time past Ukrainian baseball players knock our socks off. Ukraine has many baseball teams which show interesting game. In particular, it can be said towards “KNTU-Yelisavetgrad” team from Kirovograd city. They regularly participate in the European championships and place well. In addition recently the Ukraine has won the U21 European Championship that took place in Tel Aviv, Israel. Ukrainian team met with Russian players in the final and won with a score 7-5.

Sport observers noted that Ukrainian team was justly rewarded with gold medal of the European Championship. In addition three Ukrainian baseball players were also awarded individual prizes: Yevhen Zhantalai (the best batter), Dmytro Kiliyevich (the best pitcher) and Vitalii Chukhrii - MVP of the Championship.

Thus Ukraine was included into the list of top European Baseball Leagues. It has rather strong competitors. Among top European baseball leagues are:

                      
   ITALIAN LEAGUE  http://www.fibs.it/it/














SPANISH LEAGUE http://rfebs.es/




      GERMAN LEAGUE  http://www.baseball-bundesliga.de/







  FRENCH LEAGUE http://www.ffbsc.org/





UKRAINIAN LEAGUE  http://fbsu.com.ua/









    CZECH LEAGUE  https://www.baseball.cz/






    










Friday 19 August 2016

Ukrainian baseball players won the U21 European Championship



The Ukraine has won the U21 European Championship that took place in Tel Aviv, Israel! For the first time in its sport history Ukraine national U21 baseball team won first. From the game beginning Ukrainian team pleasantly surprised not only fans but opponents as well. Ukrainians played good defense mostly due to the steady pitches by Heorgii Hvrytishvili and Dmytro Kiliyevich during the first game with Lithuania (10-1) and the second game (3-0).

During the second day of the Championship Ukrainian sportsmen had a winner-take-all game with Russian team. Russian baseball players having none runs have managed to return only two hits. As a result Ukrainian team received flawless victory par 3-0.

The third day of the European Youth Championship 2016 started with the game Lithuania- Russia. Many European baseball experts and fans got shocked by the first inning. Starting pitcher’s game was rather unstable and as a result Russian team received three runs. After that Lithuanian players answered with six hits nine runs. However Baltic republic did not manage to win Russian players and lose the game 10 to 12.

The Ukraine national team played great game with Israel. During the first innings the 2-1 score has saved intrigue. Further Ukrainian baseball players were up concerning both game and score. As a result the Ukraine downed Israel 9-1 and got into the final.  
     
During the last 20 years the Ukraine national baseball team several times got into the final and won silver medals. But they have never captured gold until this year. During the final competition Ukrainians met with Russian players. Playing the first inning Ukrainians were three runs clear of competitors. As the game progressed, Ukrainians increased the lead due to the strong positions of players. As a result Ukraine team defeated Russia 7-5.

Ukrainian team was justly rewarded with gold medal of the European Championship. We congratulate the players and coaches of the team! Three Ukrainian baseball players were also awarded individual prizes: Yevhen Zhantalai (the best batter), Dmytro Kiliyevich (the best pitcher) and Vitalii Chukhrii - MVP of the Championship.

Preparing for the U21 European Championship Ukrainian baseball players under auspices of Yuriy Boyko, Oleg Boyko and Sergii Limarenko had intensive trainings at the Kirovograd baseball stadium. In addition they had several training games with the KNTU-Elisavetgrad team, which is multiple baseball champion of Ukraine.

Training games with professional sportsmen delivered benefits. From the first game of the Championship Ukrainians played confidently and showed a great game.



Baseball teams from the United Kingdom and Poland did not participate in the Championship for some unknown reasons. That’s why this year competition was quite swift-passing. Final standing:


It is interesting to note that baseball in Ukraine is not very popular game. Baseball has no national support in Ukraine. Nevertheless, there are baseball teams practically in each Ukrainian city. Sportsmen regularly participate in different baseball tournaments. “KNTU – Elisavetgrad” (Kirovograd baseball team) is 20-time champion of Ukraine. Just Kirovograd is considered to be “the baseball capital of Ukraine”.  Most of sportsmen of the Ukrainian national team are players of “KNYU - Elisavetgrad” team.


Not long ago, BioTexCom Center for Human Reproduction became a sponsor of “KNYU - Elisavetgrad” team. At the beginning of June number of baseball tournaments took place. Ukrainian team received a quota in the second class tournament under the auspices of the Confederation of European Baseball. This competition took place in French cities Rouen and Chartres and eight teams played. “KNYU - Elisavetgrad” was one of them. Thanks to the BioTexCom center sponsor support players got the opportunity to go to France by air and to live in quite good apartments. 




Despite certain difficulties, Ukrainian baseball players try their best to make baseball more popular in Ukraine. There are a lot of baseball schools and clubs, where professional sportsmen share their experience and skills with younger generation. That's how the JV Ukrainian baseball team takes after their colleges “KNYU - Elisavetgrad” and show Europe great results. This year wasn`t successful for Ukrainian Football players (our sportsmen scored 0 goals on the European football championship 2016). Baseball team, in turn, showed how to win despite everything.

Ukrainian champions were glad to hear, that International Olympic Committee added five new disciplines to the Olympic Program. Next Games will take place in Tokyo, in 2020. Baseball competition is going to be the part of program. Ukrainian baseball players are in a serious mood towards these competitions. According to experts, they have a chance to win it.


Ukraine National Baseball Team - the U21 European Championship winners
Bottom row, left to right: Chukhrii Vitalii, Chukhas Kostiantyn, Rohach Kyrylo, Kosenko Vladyslav, Savchenko Oleksii, Liubchenko Yehor, Kostashchuk Andrii, Levandovskyi Bohdan.


Top row, left to right: Boiko Yuriy, Boiko Kostiantyn, Bytiak Volodymyr, Zhantalai Yevhen, Liakhovetski Mykola, Hvrytishvili Heorgii, Kliuienko Yaroslav, Kurylchuk Artur, Kiliyevich Dmytro, Boiko Oleksii, Boiko Oleg.

Best Baseball Movies

Film industry does not shy away from baseball team. There are a great number of baseball legends and interesting historical events. We have created a list of the 15 best baseball movies of all time for you. Pleasant viewing!



1.      Bull Durham (1988)
2.      Major League (1989)
3.      Field of Dreams (1989)
4.      A League of Their Own (1992)
5.      Eight Men Out (1988)
6.      The Natural (1984)
7.      The Sandlot (1993)
8.      Moneyball (2011)
9.      The Bad News Bears (1976)
10.  61* (2001)
11.  The Pride of the Yankees (1942)
12.  Sugar (2008)
13.  42 (2013)
14.  The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings (1976)

15.  For the Love of the Game (1999)


Source link: http://www.sportingnews.com/

The best statements about baseball



"When baseball is no longer a fun, it ceases to be a game"

Joe DiMaggio (American Major League Baseball center fielder, baseball legend)


"Baseball is the only kind of sport I know where you attack and the other team controls the ball"

Ken Harrelson (Journalist, former All-Star first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball)


"Once, one critic described baseball as a six-minute action that lasts for two and a half hours"

Ray Fitzgerald (Journalist)


"Baseball is the only game for normal people. You should be 230 cm (7 foots and 6 inches in origin) in length if you want to play basketball, and 230 cm wide - American football"

 Bill Wack (owner of some baseball teams)


"I like baseball because it is the so called one-on-one game of. If you made a mistake, it's your fault. If you strike a home run, it's your home run"

Hank Aaron (Major League Baseball's all-time RBI leader)


"I did anything during baseball match if my competition form had not become dirty"

 Rickey Henderson (winner of two World Series)

"Baseball is the only life sphere where a man who has achieved success in 3 of 10 attempts is recognized a good performer"
 Ted Williams (member of Baseball Hall of Fame)


"There are only two seasons - winter and time when baseball is played"

 Bill Wack (owner of some baseball teams)


"Baseball match is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings"  

Earl Wilson (World Series champion)


"Playing baseball you can do only 5 things: run, throw, catch, beat and beat strongly"

 Leo Durocher (member of Baseball Hall of Fame)


"Baseball is like driving. The winner is only those one who will get home safely"

Tommy Lasorda (World Series champion)


"If there was no baseball, kids would never know how millionaires look like"

Phyllis Diller (actress)

"You should be not just only a real man in order to be a professional baseball player, but a boy as well"
 Roy Campanella (member of Baseball Hall of Fame)


"Baseball player should always be hungry to reach the major leagues. That's why none of boys from a wealthy family got into them"

 Joe DiMaggio (American Major League Baseball center fielder, baseball legend)


"Baseball is a ballet without music, drama without words"
 Ernie Harwell (commentator)


"Baseball is like poker. Nobody wants to give up when loses. And no one wants to end the game while you make a play" 
Jackie Robinson (World Series champion)


"Pitchers are like poets: no one is born a master"

Cy Young (American Major League Baseball pitcher)


"Baseball statistics is like a girl in bikini. It shows a lot, but not all"

Toby Harrah (4-times All-Star)

"Baseball is like church: many people attend it but only a few understand its meaning"


Leo Durocher (member of Baseball Hall of Fame) 

Baseball is my favorite game!




It's no stretch to believe baseball is really American game. Nevertheless not only America but Europe plays baseball as well. Confederation of European Baseball includes 39 countries. We also have already begun to enjoy baseball and try not to miss matches of our favorite teams! There are a whole host of reasons to enjoy baseball game.  

Baseball matches always take place on the open air fields, and therefore you have a great opportunity to receive dose of oxygen and fresh air watching a game. The whole game consists of 9 innings that overall last about 3-4 hours.

Amazing atmosphere, energetic crowd of fans, fun and joy is everywhere - yes, it is baseball! It must be noted that watching game on a television set can't hold a candle to visiting baseball match in stadium.

There's nothing quite like feeling this awesome atmosphere, music and gusto. Spectators yell supporting favorite teams. It is really exciting and interesting at the same time.
As of baseball rules they are rather complicated and more complex than for example football rules. Nevertheless it is not necessarily to understand the game rules to enjoy it. You can just blend into the crowd of fans being on the same page with all spectators.

It happens that during the match someone makes a marriage proposal, someone wishes a happy birthday and someone just kisses, but they all are thrown together by a common interest – baseball game!

As of tickets it is not necessary to buy the most expensive ones near the playing field. There are people who prefer to sit at the upper level - you can see everything from top.

Regarding food, you can buy tasty, fresh snacks and drinks visiting the food court in the stadium’s territory.


Another one cool feature is to come early and watch the players training. If it is possible to enter the stadium before the main game start you will enjoy this time as well. Coming earlier you will be able to see the punt-about, buy food and drinks and to find your place.