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.