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.