Gerry Perez is a new President of BBF

On the 26^th of November a new President of British Baseball Federation was elected.

In general, there were two candidates on this position: Gerry Perez and Kevin Macadam. It was rather difficult to choose one of them as they both are respectable members of BBF.

This election took place during the Annual General Meeting in Leicester. Important to mention, that this time the number of participants was higher than in recent years. In short, last Saturday 98 voters took part in elections. Those are members of BBF, representatives from BSUK and ABUA-GB.

Finally, Gerry Perez was elected as a new President. Speaking about his opponent, Kevin Macadam, he will continue his career on the position of Northern Senior Commissioner.

The priority of new BBF president is to make the Federation a well-managed organization. Moreover, he plans to find sponsors and volunteer organizations ready to invest their money for the development of British baseball. 

How to pitch a baseball - great illustration on how to swerve, slurve, curve, and knuckle

Chris Colabello to play for Italy in World Baseball Classic

33-year-old first baseman Chris Colabello will play for Italy in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. The slugger of the Toronto Blue Jays saw his 2016 season abruptly coming to a halt after getting suspended by MLB for 80 games following testing positive for an anabolic steroid. He returned at the end of the season, but didn’t make the postseason roster. Colabello grew up in Italy, as his father pitched in the Italian Baseball League. Italy will compete against Puerto Rico, Mexico and Venezuela in the first round of the 2017 WBC.


http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/25/chris-colabello-to-play-for-italy-in-world-baseball-classic/

Luck is the great stabilizer in baseball

Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard

Baseball Ireland Academy Winter Clinic 20-22nd January 2017

ISG (International Sports Group) will be delivering three days of player and coach development training at the Ashbourne GAA indoor facility.

Coaches Tom O’Connell (ISG President), John McLaren (Philadelphia Phillies) and Ed Flaherty (Head Coach University of Southern Maine) will deliver a series of clinics aimed at coaches and players.

The program will involve a series of presentations and practical hands on sessions addressing the fundamentals and more advanced aspects of throwing, fielding, hitting and pitching and practice organization. Whilst some aspects will be aimed more specifically at coach development, all the sessions will be of great interest to anyone looking to develop as player or a coach.

Tom, John and Ed bring with them an enormous wealth of knowledge and experience gained at High School, College, Minor and Major League level. They have worked extensively with other European Federations and understand the challenges faced by players and coaches working with limited resources.

http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/23/baseball-ireland-academy-winter-clinic-20-22nd-january-2017/

About the growth of European baseball

Baseball is always considered a North American sport. However, the first recorded game of baseball was in Surrey, England in 1749. Since then America, Canada, Japan and various other countries have become the real hotbeds, leaving Europe behind. With soccer being huge in Europe, it is often 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 Klijn, a 2^nd baseman for the Haar Disciples of the German Bundesliga.

But now seems to be the time for baseball in Europe to thrive. A steady flow of European players are getting signed by Major League organizations. And it’s only a matter of time until a European born player makes a huge mark in the MLB. In 2017 baseball in Europe could be set to reach new heights, specialists note.

Euro League Baseball (ELB) was already held in 2016. It was be the first year that a professional baseball league in Europe ran 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, was a true reflection of the best teams in Europe. So far, there were three teams from Germany, two from Holland, two from France, one from Italy, one from San Marino and one from the Czech Republic. Philipp.

“The big clubs in European baseball are moving forward with huge strides and would like to make money out of their passion for the sport”, – sport commentator noted. So according to him, who lives in Germany, the only way to make money is a professional league.

The best teams in Europe will mostly be made up of homegrown talent, but there will be opportunities for overseas players, if they can pay travel and living costs.

Europe is a very attractive prospect for many foreign players and there are already a number of so-called ‘import’ players scattered around in different European teams. Playing in Europe gives them a different experience and is also beneficial for the teams. The players are often asked to help with coaching local children to help grow and improve the game, which is a win-win situation for all sides.

http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/23/about-the-growth-of-european-baseball/

The rising popularity of Baseball on European TV

There’s no denying that baseball is huge in America, but it is growing in popularity in other countries too, such as the UK and other European countries – but there is one major issue – television.

Baseball’s popularity in the USA means you can sit down in front of your TV and watch the latest matches live, but that isn’t the case worldwide, it is generally US TV stations who show the matches, which means they are not accessible in other countries.

We can of course get around that by paying for services which stream online, watching the matches on a laptop, PC or smartphone, but it can quickly become expensive, and isn’t quite the same as sitting on your sofa watching your large screen TV..

That needn’t be a problem any longer, with an android box you can use the plethora of streaming apps to not only stream live baseball matches, you can also catch up on any you missed by watching on-demand, these TV boxes are fairly inexpensive, and what’s more, they don’t require a monthly or yearly subscription, so once you’ve bought the box, you can watch your favorite baseball teams play for free, for life!

There are many retailers which sell Android TV boxes as they rise in popularity, and setting them up is as simple as plugging them in to your TV set, a power socket, and connecting to your internet connection either via wireless (WIFI) or an Ethernet cable.

Once you’re all hooked up, you can access channels from across the world which means, if the baseball is showing on any channel at all, you can watch it – there and then, no messing.

If you happen to be out and miss a match, you can load up your TV box and search for it in one of the apps, you’ll then be able to watch it any time you want, pausing, even stopping, and going back to it later if you wish.

You can also check out the latest baseball news by opening up the browser app on your Android box, no need to load up your PC or laptop.

Of course, you’re not limited to watching baseball, you can watch TV shows, documentaries, the latest movies, and every other sporting event imaginable – why settle for regular TV when you can revolutionize the way you watch TV?

Never miss anything ever again – sound good? It can be a reality. Baseball is spreading across the globe, and these little TV boxes are helping gain traction, with it no longer being only US citizens who get to easily watch their favorite teams play!

http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/24/the-rising-popularity-of-baseball-on-european-tv/

Baseball is about talent, hard work, and strategy. But at the deepest level, it’s about love, integrity, and respect

Rubric: Bulls-eye Statements by Famous Baseball Players

Robert Andrew Veale (born October 28, 1935 in Birmingham, Alabama) is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1962–1972) and the Boston Red Sox (1972–1974). He attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

In a 13-year career, Veale's record was 120-95, with a 3.07 ERA in 397 games (255 starts), with 78 complete games and 20 shutouts. As a reliever, he earned 21 saves.

Veale was a top strikeout pitcher for the Pirates for about seven years. He led the National League in the category once, with 250 in 1964; he had been tied with Bob Gibson with 245 entering the final day of the season. His career high came in 1965, his 276 (to date, a modern-day franchise single-season record) finishing a distant second to Sandy Koufax's then-Major League record 382. He also was in the top three in the National League two other times. Over his career, Veale struck out 1703 batters in 1926 innings pitched. He was considered one of the hardest throwers in the game at the time[citation needed]. His lifetime ratio of 7.96 strikeouts per nine innings is still a Pirates career record and ranks 24th on the MLB All-Time List.

With the strikeouts came walks as well, as he led the NL in walks four times, tying a modern record. In 1968, Veale had a 2.05 ERA, but a losing record of 13-14. That was the lowest ERA since 1914 by a pitcher with more than 20 starts and a losing record.

Veale was a member of the Pirates in 1971, when they defeated Baltimore in seven games to win the World Series. That year, in 37 relief appearances, Veale was 6-0 with a 6.99 ERA, 40 strikeouts and two saves.

In 2006, Veale was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Baseball is the only major sport that appears backwards in a mirror

Baseball is a fun game. It beats working for a living

Rox coach builds ardent social media following

Baseball fans, coaches and players have reason to look forward to social media, thanks to Jerry Weinstein, a veteran instructor in the Rockies’ organization. Weinstein, who will manage Team Israel in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, also shares these gems with his 3,767 and growing friend list on Facebook. Weinstein, considered one of baseball’s foremost catching experts, in addition to being renowned for his pitching strategy, recently offered a five-part series of short videos on a catcher’s pregame preparation.

“I guess if you feel like you’re doing something that helps the game, that’s what I’m trying to do – help the guys become better coaches and help players become better players.”

Weinstein had finished “The Complete Handbook of Coaching Catchers” when Alan Jaeger – an important figure in baseball in the areas of training, fundamentals and psychology – suggested Weinstein become active on social media.

Weinstein highlights all the teams. The World Series was a treasure trove of standout plays from the Cubs and the Indians. Of course, he highlights the home team. Weinstein tweeted about Rockies pitcher Tyler Chatwood faking a bunt and managing an infield single that moved a runner to second. Weinstein – whose Team Israel WBC squad will play in Korea from March 7-10 against South Korea, Chinese Taipei – is guided by a simple principle: He highlights triumphs.

http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/18/rox-coach-builds-ardent-social-media-following/

Netherlands lose both Games in Extra Innings vs Japan

The Netherlands lost both ends of their two-game series at the Tokyo Dome against Japan. In both games extra innings were needed to find the winner.  In game one of the exhibition series to preview the 2017 World Baseball Classic the Dutch team blew a four-run lead, but still got up in front 8-7 in the top of the ninth. However Samurai Japan – the world number one – came back in the ninth and won the contest with a walk-off RBI single in the tenth. In game two on Japan erased a 2-8 deficit in the seventh inning and won the contest also thanks to a grand slam by a score of 12-10 once again in the tenth inning.


http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/18/netherlands-lose-both-games-in-extra-innings-vs-japan/

Rubric: Bulls-eye Statements by Famous Baseball Players

Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio[a] (November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999), nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper", was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak (May 15 – July 16, 1941), a record that still stands.

DiMaggio was a three-time MVP winner and an All-Star in each of his 13 seasons. During his tenure with the Yankees, the club won ten American League pennants and nine World Series championships.

At the time of his retirement, he ranked fifth in career home runs (361) and sixth in career slugging percentage (.579). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955, and was voted the sport's greatest living player in a poll taken during the baseball centennial year of 1969.

His brothers Vince (1912–1986) and Dom (1917–2009) also were major league center fielders.

There are three things you can do in a baseball game. You can win, or you can lose, or it can rain

Baseball is a universal language. Catch the ball, throw the ball, hit the ball

Ukrainian baseball on European level

Baseball, the most popular of all sports in America, has been rapidly gaining acceptance in other countries as well. Ukraine is one of such states. This country has some strong baseball teams which can become rather dangerous competitors to European and even American teams. Thus the “BioTexCom” team is a multiple Ukrainian champion and during 22 years it lost the game, Ukraine Baseball Champion, only once. Baseball players of "BioTexCom" show high sport results and have very strong players in the team.

The Life of Ukrainian Baseball

The Head coach of Ukrainian national baseball team, Boyko O.M, suggested to send him lists of the best players and candidates on the post of coaches.

It is widely believed statistics shows best of all who is the best player. In terms of Ukrainian baseball reality it almost clearly forms the national team. It is because there are only the best players in it.

Oleg Boyko tells how it works in fact. He offered coaches to send lists of their candidates to gather teams for upcoming year. These are U18 (juniors), U23 (youth) and adults teams. In this case coaches recommend best players and as a result take responsibility for agreement and desire of players to take part in the selection and training for the European Championship.

About Statistic

More than a century ago it was witty noticed about three kinds of lie: the first is untruth, the second is a blatant lie and finally the last one – statistic, which is the most terrible lie. Oleg Boyko has been being in baseball for more than two decades in a row. He believes statistic is really a big advantage for this kind of sport. Earlier Oleg Boyko was a football coach. As a result of his football past he could unconsciously comment towards the baseball game using terms which were understandable only for him. But in baseball there is a clear statistic with understandable to all terms and meanings: AVG, ERA, RBI.

However, at the beginning of this century the new science has been developed which is called sabermetrics. It absolutely put aside validity and information content of previous classical terms. Instead it represents some new ones: wOBA, WAR, UZR and others.

Ukrainian statistics

Probably not all only a few people know two years ago it was a hot discussion between the Major League Baseball management towards the issue of number of teams reducing. And that was not about a business or lack of fans. The main reason was a lack of talented players to complete 30 teams. In other words the main intrigue of the league cannot be keep and it is obvious who will be the winner in particular games. Today the main reason not in favor of blind usage of Ukrainian statistic is clear – during many years in most games (more than 50%) there is no such question. The League is uneven and practically all victories are predictable. Moreover the teams are not on the same level and it means their trainings are different and it undermines the unification to record the events. If one team has hit it means that another one will have out. Baseball fields are so different that it can be easy to conduct hit on the one field, and out on another. Home run on one field can be boring fly on another. And other important thing statistics experts keep in silence – if coach knows team will probably loose players feel it and as a result they is no interesting fighting on the playing field. And if there is no fight on the field there will not be rates and interesting statistics as well.

http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/16/the-life-of-ukrainian-baseball/

Irish joy tinged with sadness as All Blacks finally vanquished

Irish joy tinged with sadness as All Blacks finally vanquished

Irish fans all over the world celebrated the side’s electrifying first-ever victory over the All Blacks, but the historic triumph was tinged with sadness following the recent death at just 42 of former international Anthony “Axel” Foley.

“Ireland creates history with stunning victory over the All Blacks,” was the online headline of the Irish Independent newspaper after Saturday’s 40-29 victory in Chicago.

The Irish Times chimed in with “Irish warriors take down All Blacks at Soldier Field”.

The Irish have been close before – sometimes painfully – but this time, after 111 years and 29 test matches, they held firm, despite a late surge from the mighty All Blacks, who had won 18 games on the trot before this shock defeat.

“It’s an awesome day for the Irish, not just for this team but for the 28 teams that have gone before us,” elated Irish full-back Rob Kearney said after the final whistle.

With Chicago Cubs having broken their 108-year hoodoo by winning baseball’s World Series last week, the stage was set in the Windy City, and Ireland duly ran in five tries to secure a famous first victory.

For Ireland, the occasion was made even more emotional by the recent death of former player and Munster coach Foley, who died as Munster prepared for a European Cup game just two weeks ago.

As the All Blacks performed the Haka, the Irish, led by Foley’s former Munster players, stood in a figure-of-eight formation on the pitch in memory of the enormously popular back-row forward.

From the off, the Ireland pack displayed plenty of the spirit that Foley embodied as a player and a coach, thundering into the All Blacks and never giving them time to settle.

“New Zealand isn’t used to that sort of treatment, everybody just stands back and respects them,” said former international Neil Francis.

“Over the years one of the problems we have had is that we have feared sides like New Zealand,” Francis explained.

“But over the last six or seven years, that fear has gone.”

New Zealand will have their chance for revenge in Dublin in two weeks but Captain Rory Best believes that the fear of the All Blacks is now a thing of the past.

“We’ve created history by going and attacking New Zealand, they’re a quality side and it shows how good they are, how important this win was to us,” Best said as tears welled in his eyes.

http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/17/irish-joy-tinged-with-sadness-as-all-blacks-finally-vanquished/

Rubric: Bulls-eye Statements by Famous Baseball Players

Peter Edward "Pete" Rose Sr. (born April 14, 1941), also known by his nickname "Charlie Hustle", is an American former professional baseball player and manager. Rose played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989.

Rose, a switch hitter, is the all-time MLB leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053), singles (3,215), and outs (10,328). He won three World Series rings, three batting titles, one Most Valuable Player Award, two Gold Gloves, the Rookie of the Year Award, and made 17 All-Star appearances at an unequaled five different positions (second baseman, left fielder, right fielder, third baseman, and first baseman). Rose won both of his Gold Gloves as an outfielder in 1969 and 1970.

In August 1989, three years after he retired as an active player, Rose agreed to permanent ineligibility from baseball amidst accusations that he gambled on baseball games while playing for and managing the Reds, including claims that he bet on his own team. In 1991, the Baseball Hall of Fame formally voted to ban those on the "permanently ineligible" list from induction, after previously excluding such players by informal agreement among voters. In 2004, after years of public denial, Rose admitted to betting on baseball and on, but not against, the Reds. The issue of Rose's possible reinstatement and election to the Hall of Fame remains a contentious one throughout baseball.

On June 22, 2015, ESPN concluded an investigation and determined that Rose bet on baseball while still a player-manager, from 1984 to 1986. The investigation also made public the existence of records of bets made by Rose on baseball, which had been seized by US federal authorities from an associate of Rose.

In 2016, Rose was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

One of the beautiful things about baseball is the history

To win. Nothing else matters, and nothing else will do

Rubric: Bulls-eye Statements by Famous Baseball Players

Orestes "Minnie" Minoso, nicknamed "The Cuban Comet" and "Mr. White Sox", was a Cuban Negro league and Major League Baseball (MLB) player. He began his baseball career in 1946 and became an All-Star third baseman with the New York Cubans and was signed by the Cleveland Indians after the 1948 season as baseball's color line slowly fell. Miñoso went on to become an All-Star left fielder with the Indians and Chicago White Sox. The first Black Cuban in the major leagues and the first black player in White Sox history, as a 1951 rookie he was the one of the first Latin Americans to play in an MLB All-Star Game.

Miñoso was an American League (AL) All-Star for seven seasons and a Gold Glove winner for three seasons when he was in his 30s. He batted over .300 for eight seasons. He was the AL leader in triples and stolen bases three times each and in hits, doubles, and total bases once each. Willie Mays (179 steals) and Miñoso (167 steals) have been widely credited with leading the resurgence of speed as an offensive weapon in the 1950s. Miñoso was particularly adept at reaching base, leading the AL in times hit by pitch a record ten times, and holding the league mark for career times hit by pitch from 1959 to 1985. Miñoso, as a defensive standout, led the AL left fielders in assists six times and in putouts and double plays four times each.

Miñoso was one of the most popular and dynamic players in White Sox franchise history. He helped the "Go-Go" White Sox become one of the premier teams of the 1950s and 1960s. A rare power threat on a team known for speed and defense, Miñoso also held the White Sox record for career home runs from 1956 to 1974.

Miñoso left the major leagues following the 1964 season, but went on playing and managing in Mexico through 1973. He rejoined the White Sox as a coach, and made brief but highly publicized player appearances in 1976 and 1980. He became the third player to get a hit after the age of 50 and the second player to appear in the major leagues in five decades. Miñoso's White Sox uniform number 9 was retired in 1983, and a statue of him was unveiled at U.S. Cellular Field in 2004. Miñoso was elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in Exile in 1983, and to the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.

In 2014, Miñoso appeared for the second time as a candidate on the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Golden Era Committeeelection ballot for possible Hall of Fame consideration in 2015. He and the other candidates including former White Sox teammate Billy Pierce, and two other former players from Cuba, Tony Oliva and Luis Tiant, all missed induction in 2015. The Committee meets and votes on ten selected candidates from the Golden Era (1947 to 1972) every three years.

The great thing about baseball is there’s a crisis every day

The main idea is to win.

American nuns earned money on baseball

The rare card with photo of legendary American baseball player Honus Wagner, which was owned by the nuns of Catholic religious order (USA, Baltimore) was put up for sale for 262 thousand U.S dollars.

The fate of this priceless thing has gained traction among collectors of sport relics. The card came to the Sisters of the Company of Mary, Our Lady circumstantially. Brother of one nun gave this card in will and sister received it in 1936.

Virgina Muller, one of the nuns, said that before they have not even known about Honus Wagner and now his name is holy for nuns. Also Virgina Muller mentioned that money from the card’s sale will be shared among the Order’s representatives which are located in more than 30 countries.

“For many years I had been hunting for the original card from this series … and now I got it. The way I received it raise its value, “- professional collector and owner of sports cards shop Doug Walton noted.

Baseball cards, one side of which contained images of baseball players, and the second one advertisement of certain product (later it was replaced with brief biographical information about player), appeared in the USA in XIX-XX centuries.

The T206 Honus Wagner series was launched with the American Tobacco Company in 1906. Currently only about 50 cards were saved. Limited offer makes them the most expensive baseball cards in the world.

http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/11/american-nuns-earned-money-on-baseball/

Swiss Baseball announces Preliminary Rosters for U15, U18 National Teams

The Swiss Baseball and Softball Federation announced preliminary rosters for their U15 and U18 National Teams this week. 20 respective 21 players were selected from which final rosters for preparation tournaments and European Championship Qualifiers will be invited.


http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/11/swiss-baseball-announces-preliminary-rosters-for-u15-u18-national-teams-2/

Netherlands win Warm-Up Game at Tokyo Dome 7-5

With Jair Jurrjens on the mound, Jeremi Profar making his debut and Jurickson Profar wearing the Dutch jersey for the second time, the Netherlands won their warm-up game ahead of their two-game series against Samurai Japan by a score of 7-5 against a local selection. Chris Garia, Gianison Boekhoudt, Randolph Oduber, Shawn Zarraga and Sharlon Schoop were also in the starting lineup.

Lars Huijer, Tom de Blok, Mike Bolsenbroek, Loek van Mil, Jim Ploeger, Kevin Kelly, Bayron Cornelisse, Orlando Yntema and Berry van Driel followed Jurrjens on the mound. 25 players overall were used by manager Hensley Meulens. Dashenko Ricardo hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the seventh inning, initiating a five-run rally.

http://baseballua.com/en/2016/11/11/netherlands-win-warm-up-game-at-tokyo-dome-7-5/

Rubric: Bulls-eye Statements by Famous Baseball Players

Rogers Hornsby, Sr. (April 27, 1896 – January 5, 1963), nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1915–1926, 1933), New York Giants (1927), Boston Braves (1928), Chicago Cubs (1929–1932), and St. Louis Browns (1933–1937). Hornsby had 2,930 hits and 301 home runs in his career; his career .358 batting average is second only to Ty Cobb's average. He was named the National League (NL)'s Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice, and was a member of one World Series championship team.

Born and raised in Texas, Hornsby played for several semi-professional and minor league teams. In 1915, he began his major league career with the St. Louis Cardinals and remained with the team for 12 seasons; during this period, Hornsby won his first MVP Award and the Cardinals won the 1926 World Series. After that season, he spent one season with the New York Giants and another with the Boston Braves before being traded to the Chicago Cubs. He played with the Cubs for four years and won his second MVP Award before the team released him in 1932. Hornsby re-signed with the Cardinals in 1933, but was released partway through the season and was picked up by the St. Louis Browns. He remained there until his final season in 1937. From 1925 to 1937, Hornsby was intermittently his own manager. After retiring as a player, he managed the Browns in 1952 and the Cincinnati Reds from 1952 to 1953.

Hornsby is one of the best hitters of all time. His career batting average of .358 is second only to Ty Cobb, at .367, in MLB history. He also won two Triple Crowns and batted .400 or more three times during his career. He is the only player to hit 40 home runs and bat .400 in the same year (1922). His batting average for the 1924 season was .424, a mark that no player has matched since. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1942 and the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.

Hornsby married three times, in 1918, 1924, and 1957, and had two children, one from each of his first two marriages.

Known as someone who was difficult to get along with, he was not at all well-liked by his fellow players. He never smoked, drank, or went to the movies, but frequently gambled on horse races during his career.

The game's isn't over until it's over

Playing baseball for a living is like having a license to steal