Olexandr Bilokurenko (BC“Skifs”) about his own baseball

Baseball is very democratic game and everyone can play it. In basketball, for example, high growth is preferable and in football – running skills. As of baseball, everyone can realize his own potential. If person has rather weak hurl but it is well-directed, then he could become good pitcher. Having strong but not accurate beat boy can be a member of outfielder group. While person who are inactive and has big constitution can became a great catcher. Olexandr Bilokurenko plays in short stop position. He, like many others, has fallen in love with this game after watching American films. He tried to play this game in the yard with children. But after a while, professional baseball section in school was opened.

– I started doing baseball when I was 11 years old. The first competitions took place in Kyiv, where our team took the third place. Baseball is dynamic game, which develops strength, ability to think several moves ahead and team spirit. Thus, step by step, I became hot for baseball. I`ve been being in baseball for more than 20 years and it has become an essential part of my life – player of “Skifs” team says.

Olexandr Bilokurenko plays in the “Skifs” team (Simferopol). Baseball isn’t very popular in the Crimea region. But now this game has been becoming more and more interesting for Ukrainians. Thus, Crimea has already opened two children`s baseball sections in local schools and two sections of softball.

Coaches and players urge leaders of the country to pay more attention to high achievements of Ukrainian athletes.

– There is no funding, so we can look for donations, and rely on own and sponsor funds. Thus, recently, baseball team from Kropyvnytskyi city has found sponsor. The “BioTexCom” team has unveiled its potential at once. Baseball isn’t developed and supported by the government, because it doesn’t consider it a priority sport. But our athletes have good results and take prizes – Genadiy Bobenko notes.

Popularity of baseball has been growing in Ukraine from year to year. And baseball players from “Skifs” team say, regardless of funding, they will try to increase the popularity of this game and will improve it with their victories during the championships.

“Komunarіvets” team needs financial support

Mykolaiv baseball team “Komunarivets” has distinguished in the ranking of Olympic sports in Ukraine. According to the results, baseball players gained 3 900 points, which is one of the best rates among sport teams in Mykolaiv region.

But team needs sponsorship support, athletes and families of baseball players assure.
This year, Kyiv baseball club “Dzhmeli” took part in the European League and won bronze medals. It should be noted that this Kyiv club includes four players from Mykolaiv “Komunarіvets” team. Some players are also candidates for participation in the national Ukrainian team.

One of the players’ moms promotes idea of creation baseball teams in schools. She explains such proposal by noting that the winner of the Mykolaiv school league will be able to travel for free to Kremenets town to take part in the final match of the “Little league” of Ukraine. In turn, Ukrainian winner of the competition will take part in the final of the international baseball tournament, which will be held in the United States. However, creation of school teams and in general development of baseball in Mykolaiv requires significant financial investments.

“Formation of teams in regular and boarding schools will help to establish contacts with American and European baseball schools. I am sure they are open for cooperation and will gladly share their experience with us. In future, talented players will be able to receive invitation of the leading American colleges, “- said one of athletes’ mothers.

Cincinnati Reds History First Slovakian Player Signed

While there has been an influx of foreign born players in Major League Baseball, Europe is still an untapped location. On this day in 2013, the Cincinnati Reds signed the first player from Slovakia, Jakub Izold.

Players from all over the world have been a part of Major League Baseball since the early days. While there are a number of players from Latin America, Japan, and even Australia, Europe is still a relatively untapped continent. Strangely, this was not always the case, with a number of early players coming from England and Ireland.

On this day in 2013, the Cincinnati Reds made a foray into the middle of the country, signing pitcher Jakub Izold to a minor league contract. Izold had been the top pitcher in the country during the 2009 European Junior Championship, notching a win over the Ukraine. He continued pitching in various international tournaments, and took part in the MLB European Academy in 2012.

Although his overall numbers may not have been much to look at, Izold still impressed the Reds enough to earn a contract. As a 19 years old, Izold was assigned to the Reds Arizona League team, but had his struggles. That year, he was 0-1 with an 8.04 ERA and a 1.979 WHiP. In 15.2 innings, he allowed 28 hits, but only three walks and Izold struck out 16 batters. It was certainly not a lost season.

Izold showed enough potential where he came back for a second season. He once again pitched in the Arizona League, and showed some improvement. He pitched 21.2 innings, posting a 6.65 ERA and a 1.662 WHiP. However, his strikeout and walk numbers went in the wrong direction, as Izold walked eight batters while striking out twelve.

That would be the last year that he was a part of the Reds system. He is currently back in Europe, and spent last year with Draci Brno in the Extraliga. It was a homecoming of sorts, as he pitched for that team in 2013 before being signed by the Reds.

If Izold continues to pitch well in Europe, it may not be outside of the realm of possibility for another team to give him a chance. He is still only 23 years old, and as a lefty who could strikeout people out, he could earn another look in the minors.

Europe is still an untapped market for baseball, but as more leagues pop up there, more talent may come stateside. That was the case on this day in 2013, when the Cincinnati Reds made the first signing from Slovakia.

The “BioTexCom” team is not ready to rest! The national champions practices for 2017 season

The “BioTexCom” baseball club (Kropyvnytskyi city) has successfully finished 2016 season. Team became the Champion of Ukraine, and also won the Cup of Ukraine. Ukrainian baseball players get used to such victories as “BioTexCom” team is 21-times champion of Ukraine and repeated winner of Ukrainian Cup. The team always confidently moves to the main sport goals. Even when it doesn’t work as they wish. The lack of money for participation in international competitions and decent sport arena for preparation to the championships on appropriate level are the main obstacles of Ukrainian baseball players.

Despite these difficulties, men with strong character and professional skills have succeeded significant goals. That’s probably why they were noticed by an influential sponsor. Nowadays the baseball club is sponsored by the Kiev center for human reproduction. Owing to the sponsor support, last year players were able to participate in the competition that took place in France. Also, equipment of the field which will meet all necessary requirements is currently being negotiated. The field is located in Kropyvnytskyi city from which “BioTexCom” team is. Now this field is not very suitable for professional baseball playing. And the team’s sponsor aimed to provide baseball players with decent playing field for games and trainings, which will help to organize games of high levels.
At the present time, athletes have been preparing for the 2017 season. This spring they will take the field to play for new victories. Meanwhile in winter baseball players don’t waste their time. The athletes have regular trainings in sport gym where they practice endurance and technique. All members of “BioTexCom” team are faithfully working and improving their skills in order to play better in 2017 season. The team is reliant on its sponsor. The coaches and players are preparing for games of European level.

The 2016 was the one more year which had come to the baseball history. Year was quite difficult both in economical and psychological aspects (the war is still going in the east of Ukraine). Nevertheless, all the domestic and international competitions were hold due to sponsors support and insistence of athletes and coaches.

There was also historical victory in 2016 when the Ukrainian U-21 baseball team won gold medals for the first time participating in the European Championship (Tel Aviv, Israel). Such moments give force and desire to move only forward. This is exactly what “BioTexCom” team-champion has been doing.

Prospects of the Ukrainian baseball

The estimate profit the Baseball League in America reaches is nearly several hundred millions of dollars. The league includes of 26 teams and the average income of the player is measured by hundreds and thousands of dollars per year. Considerable amount of money also appears during the transfers of players because baseball is the national American game. It is played by children since youngest age, families visit matches of favorite teams and even cancel all their plans for evening when local club plays.

Of course, there is no point telling about income and such popularity of baseball in Ukraine. However, the country has a potential, as it is noted by representatives of foreign media, who keep an eye on development of this sport in Ukraine. Experts believe the main problems which hinder performance of Ukrainian teams are:
-lack of funding;
– no introduction of game element in school program;
-lack of knowledge of this game;
– minimum information about baseball in the national mass-media;
– poor equipment of fields.

Sports experts say elimination of these problems will bring the Ukrainian baseball to targeted results because the country has huge game potential. Almost every Ukrainian city has its own baseball team. The Ukrainian league contains of 12 strongest clubs. Experts always notice rather the strong game and great skills of the Ukrainian baseball players. Thus, the strongest Ukrainian baseball team “BioTexCom” has become 21- times champion of Ukraine. And the National Baseball Team of Ukraine U21 for the first time won the gold medals in the continental championship. This is the highest achievement of the Ukrainian baseball during the all period of participation of Ukrainian National Teams in international competitions. Players from the strongest teams of the Ukrainian Major League “BioTexCom”,” SDUSHOR-Diamant”, “Zahidnyi Vohon” and “Sokoly” played as a part of the National Team U21 in Tel Aviv, Israel in 2016.

High hopes for victories are reliant on children`s teams. Many experts say that it is necessary to invite foreign professionals in order to help local coaches. Of course, coaches, who train the younger generation, are professionals of national baseball. But involving to Ukraine foreign experts will help to train athletes according to global trends in this sphere.
Experts also point out, that involving the investors to Ukraine should be in priority. The world sport practice shows, that the investment in the young sport can make considerable profit. Now, Ukrainian baseball is open to national and foreign investors.

The center for human reproduction BioTexCom decided to become an example of investment. The clinic works only with foreign patients therefore it is fairly familiar in European trends. Not so long ago, the center has taken the champion “BioTexCom” team under the patronage. When the clinic has become the sponsor of the team, it has become actively to help not only the team, but the Ukrainian baseball in general. Sponsor actively participates in the issues towards equipment of the fields and helps players to take part in the European championships representing the country on a high level.
Therefore, we hope in the nearest future the Ukrainian baseball will show itself to the whole world. And the players of the Ukrainian teams will become the purpose of the European clubs.

Baseball in Ukraine!

Baseball in Ukraine has appeared in 1986. Ukrainian teams looked pretty confident in the Soviet championship; several players even formed part of the national team of the Soviet Union.

Since 1991, Ukrainian baseball and softball federation is a member of the European Confederation and the World Baseball Association. The Ukrainian national team for several times has won the European championship (Division B) in 1993, 2000 and 2004. Team also participated in the selection for Olympic Games (Group A). Ukrainian teams were winners of the European junior championships twice, in 1996 and 2004; twice teams got second place in the cadet championship in 1996 and 1997 and once got the third place in European youth group in 2003. Cadet National team represented the country in 1998 on the World Cup, youth team in 2000 and junior team in 2007 participated in the World Series in the US.

Nowadays, Ukraine holds national championships in two divisions in all age categories; there is also a leader among small leagues. In 2007 baseball team from Kropivnitskyi city has represented Ukraine at the European championship in Kutno, Poland and won the 1^st place. The winners received a ticket to the world baseball championship in Detroit, USA.

Baseball is worth to paly! Why?

Well, firstly sport is another word for health. And, as it is said, sound mind in a sound body. Secondly, baseball has been gaining popularity in Ukraine, so it is a great opportunity for every Ukrainian to be in ranks of pioneers in this sport.

Five new sports were added to the Olympic program 2020 which will be held in Tokyo, including baseball. So, what does it mean? You may wonder it means that it is the right time to engage in this exotic sport. Because it is give you a chance to participate in Ukrainian and European competitions on international level. On a related note, Mykolaiv baseball team KDYUSSH "Komunarivets" has three winners of Interleague 2016 (European Championship). It once again proves that you have a tremendous opportunity to get invitation from European or American professional baseball clubs. 

ISG/CEB hold Coaches Certification Course in Kiev, Ukraine

By International Sports Group

ISG/CEB hold Coaches Certification Course in Kiev, Ukraine International Sports Group and European Baseball Federation complete the second Level 1 baseball coach’s certification program in Kiev, Ukraine. Headed up by Peter Caliendo, VP of ISG/Former USA Baseball National Team coach, Kruno Karin Secretary General CEB/Croatia Coach and Branko Nenadic Croatian National Team Coach/Player.

The course included a pre-test to evaluate coach’s experience, classroom, field work, coaches being evaluated in a gym in teaching drills and a final 70 question test.
“ISG and CEB understand the importance of certifying coaches working with baseball players around Europe so the game may grow and keep players in the game longer, we will be expanding the program in Europe and increasing the levels to level 2 and 3 in the future” Peter Caliendo VP, International Sports Group.

Well-travelled Dave Bishop wants the Gold Coast to become a power in baseball

DAVE Bishop’s family history in baseball runs across New Zealand, Australia and the US and now he wants the Gold Coast to become a force in the sport. You would be hard pressed to find a family more involved with baseball on the Gold Coast with six members of the clan either playing or coaching at the Runaway Bay Dolphins. Bishop, 37, plays in the club’s senior adult league side and coaches the under-16 team that his younger brother Faenza, 15, and nephew Majar Bishop, 13 play for. Bishop’s son Robert, 6, and other nephew Marshall Bishop, 6, both play in the 10 and under side while niece Pariz Bishop, 12, plays in the under-12 team. Baseball is life for Bishop who was first exposed to the sport on family holidays in the US at a young age while both his parents were also avid fans.

Bishop grew up playing softball in Wellington, New Zealand, because baseball wasn’t on offer but his brother Beau’s chance meeting with a Boston Red Sox scout six years ago changed that. Beau earned a minor-league contract and was with the US club for three years before playing for the Milwaukee Brewers for a season. Beau, now 23, is currently based in South Australia where he plays for the Adelaide Bite in the Australian Baseball League. Bishop made the transition to baseball in 2010 and arrived on the Gold Coast two years ago, with experience coaching at Major-league US outfit Oakland Athletics and the New Zealand under-15 team. He also currently works as a hitting and fielding coach for Japanese company Trius. The Pacific Pines resident’s ambition is to build a strong pathway to the elite level on the Gold Coast so more can reach the top level.

“I just want to help with the talent that I have seen on the Gold Coast,” Bishop said. “Runaway Bay is such a good club and has such a family environment. “I want to start coaching representative ball on the Gold Coast. I’m trying to show that there is a genuine pathway, especially for education in the states and in Europe. “There are plenty of options for our kids to gain experiences and opportunities in another sport.”

Jack Shannon from Cologne Cardinals to Canada

European Baseball is losing one of its better players of the last couple of seasons. Jack Shannon is joining the Saint John Alpines of the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League in Canada for the 2017 season. The 26-year-old left-handed pitcher/outfielder had an ERA of 1.94 with 111 strikeouts and 36 walks in 84 innings this past season in the German Baseball-Bundesliga, while batting 308. He also served as the team’s manager during game days. In 2015 Shannon suited up for the Therwil Flyers in the Swiss National League A.

Larry Infante returns to Rouen Huskies Season

The Rouen Huskies announced last week that Venezuelan infielder Larry Infante returns for a third straight season with the reigning French champion. The former player of the Los Angeles Angels organization will play his fourth consecutive season in France. He played one year with Paris UC before joining the Huskies in 2014. His first stop in Europe was the Spanish Division de Honor though. Larry Infante is the second Venezuelan player on the team besides Jonathan Jaspe.

Baseball geography, Part 4, Other part of Asia

In addition to NPB in Asia some countries also have own professional baseball leagues. Korea (Korea Baseball Organization), China (China Baseball League) and Taiwan (Chinese Professional Baseball) have successful professional baseball leagues. Recently the Series of Asian Games took place, where champions of each league played in mini baseball tournament for the right to be called the champions of Asia. As of today, there were 4 Asian Series. In all four games, Japanese clubs were the first ones.

Other countries
There are also organized baseball clubs in Europe: Greece, Great Britain, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Croatia. Australian and New Zealand can also impress with organized Leagues. It should also be mentioned about the American International Baseball Association, which gathers all European players in Vienna to improve their skills under the leadership of coaches from MLB. And of course, scouts of different clubs don’t ignore this event.

Baseball and National Teams
As of today, there are two important competitions for National Teams in the baseball world. Three times per year the World Baseball Classic takes place and the World Baseball Cup that is held every two year. The World Baseball Classic was held only in 2006 and in 2009, but now just this competition is the main tournament for the National Teams, as it is hold in March and all the best players of MLB can take part in it. It is because MLB game season begins in April. Japanese players became the champions both times, in the final game they had beaten firstly Cuba and then Korea.
The Baseball World Cup is an amateur competition which is hold in the midseason. It is not for nothing Cubans have an advantage in this competition. They have received a victory for 25 times in 38 games.

Baseball geography, Part 1, MLB

Some years ago, Europeans wondered talking about baseball. The most common questions were “Why do we need this American game?” and “How can this boring game be interesting?” and so on. But if looking deeper into this game one start to understand tactical rules that can change after each pitching. After some time, you start to understand why USA enjoy this game. Moreover, in America baseball is the most popular sport, national game. Thus, Europe has been actively joining baseball fans’ camp during the recent years.

Further we will see the popularity of baseball in the world. But of course, we will start with the strongest league – MLB.

MLB
Major League Baseball consists of American and National leagues and they do not depend on each other. Every single league divides on Eastern, Central and Western Divisions. There is an obvious difference between these two leagues. The National league follows ancestral baseball traditions, where the pitcher also hit the ball on an equal basis with other players. In 1973 the American League for greater show decided to put an appointment hitter in better line instead of pitcher, whose task was to hit the ball without leaving the field. The peculiarity is that the pitcher to serve the ball and his hit is usually poor. In view of this, the matches of American league are more spectacular for fans while the National League is aimed at tactical game. In 1997 it was decided to increase the number of fans and thus the so called “Interleague play” was accepted. Since that time, each team from 162 matches in regular season must play 15-18 matches against teams from the other league. Such differences in number of matches relates to the fact that leagues have unequal number of teams – AL has 14 teams and NL has 16.

After a regular season play-off begins. Play-off consists of 4 teams from each league – 3 winners of the divisions and one team, which receives Wild Card. In other words, it is a team which received more victories than others but it is an exception for division winners. Play-off also takes place within leagues. The first game in play-off is called division series where the game lasting until 3 winners will be determined. The winners take part in the championship series, which defines 4 winners. As a result, the winners of league are decided. The pinnacle of baseball season is Baseball Series Games, where the world champions are identified. The rules of “Interleague play” and the Series of Word Games are quite simple – games are played per the rules of the side where the game takes place. The structure of the Minor Leagues in America almost completely depends on the MLB teams. Every MLB team has several associated teams. Their level is determined in decreasing order- Class AAA, class AA, class A (class A-Advanced, class A and Short-Season A), R (rookie–newcomers, which are divided into Rookie-Advanced Class and Rookie). There are also an Independent Leagues, teams of which are not connected with the MLB teams, but still there are out-of-season leagues where games take place regardless of MLB season. These leagues are usually used by MLB clubs for the practice of young talents who couldn’t play certain number of matches during the season because of injuries or for any other reasons. Draft in MLB completely differs from other American leagues. Therefore, the system of training of the baseball players takes a lot of time and significantly differs from athletic training for other sports.

Per this, many players turn out at the lower games of draft and the elite of the first game can even never play for the team of the Major League. There are also other differences, for example: draft-picks in baseball are permanent. If the contract of good plyer ends with certain teams another club which signs with him a new one must give 1 or 2 draft picks to his old team. The draft cannot involve players from other countries. The agreements with players are contracted on individual basis while the foreign player bathes for money from club of other country. And, first of all, there is separate draft, which is quite difficult to understand. The draft of 5-th rule exists to equalize the number of strong young players among organizations. Those who has a few strong players can take them from another team that has more strong ones.

We have briefly examined the organization of baseball in the USA and Canada. Learn more about baseball in other countries in our further posts.

European Baseball Clubs, Ukraine

The Country Should Know Its Heroes! Ukrainian baseball clubs show great results!So, here they are:
BioTexCom
CYSS Diamant
Zahidnyy Vohon
ATMA
Vorony
BC Poltava
Bombers
First Capitals
Sokoly
Angely
Illichivets
Komunarivets

Baseball geography, Part 3, Japan

Structure of Japanese baseball is like American one. NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) also consists of two leagues (the Pacific League and the Central League). In the Pacific League, there is a rule of the designated hitter while the Central League hasn’t such rule. Also, there are two Minor Leagues where affiliate teams play.

 

Winners of Leagues play between each other until the seventh victory in the World Japan Series. The main difference between NPB and MLB is that in MLB matches it cannot be a draw because the game lasts until the victory of one team. In the matches of NPB there is no draw as well because the game is played maximum to 12 innings (while in Japan Series it lasts to 15 innings) and if there is no winner after 12 innings the game is considered to end with draw.

Japanese baseball players often play in MLB but per the agreement between MLB and NPB it is necessary to pay a monetary compensation for the player. Sometimes it reaches a huge amount of money, as Japanese Clubs are rather rich. Nevertheless, not every MLB club is ready to pay such money. For example, the pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, two years ago, moved to the Boston Red Sox for 50 million dollars. Clubs more often prefer to wait for the moment when player`s contract runs out with one of clubs and then it will be possible to invite him.

Also, Japan has three independent leagues, these are: the Shikoku and Kyushu Island League, the Baseball Challenge League and the Kansai Independent Baseball League.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today two Ukrainian baseball players celebrate their birthday. Today Nechai Anton from the “Angely” team and Kozakov Kyrylo from the “Komunarivets” team receive best wishes and congratulations. BaseballUA congratulates Nechai Anton and Kozakov Kyrylo! We wish you a great game, more homeruns and to present Ukraine on the highest level together with your baseball colleagues!