PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL IS COMING TO ISRAEL
http://www.israelbaseballleague.com/professionalbaseballcomingtoisrael.php
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its about time...
To watch highlights of the opening game here is the link.
http://www.sport5.co.il/articles.aspx?FolderID=413&docID=21965&lang=he
(click the box in the top left to play)
it is in Hebrew though. I can translate if needed.
http://www.sport5.co.il/articles.aspx?FolderID=413&docID=21965&lang=he
(click the box in the top left to play)
it is in Hebrew though. I can translate if needed.
Mazel Tov. 
Loved the davining (my englsh translation), that was sooo cool!
Link to first post doesn't work.
Loved the davining (my englsh translation), that was sooo cool!
Link to first post doesn't work.
I wish I could go and play...although it would jeopardize my college ball.
I hope to make the World Baseball Classic team for Israel in '09
I hope to make the World Baseball Classic team for Israel in '09
Obviously this is in its infancy and has a long way to go. Sandy Koufax was the last player selected in the initial draft. But every journey has that first step, so best of luck to everyone involved.
quote:Originally posted by HeyBatter:
Sandy Koufax was the last player selected in the initial draft.
Can you explain your statment.
For symbolic reasons Sandy Koufax was the last player selected in the draft.
The league is going very well and the ball is equivalent to Single A ball in the states
The league is going very well and the ball is equivalent to Single A ball in the states
quote:Originally posted by SSMD89:
For symbolic reasons Sandy Koufax was the last player selected in the draft.
I disagree.
Why do you disagree?
quote:Originally posted by SSMD89:
The league is going very well and the ball is equivalent to Single A ball in the states
Just wondering, where did you hear this particular comparison?
I've watched parts of two different games (thanks DirecTV). Players; some with pro experience, some with college experience, some HS, some in their late 40's, at least one in his 50's. Pitchers I saw (1st and 2nd place teams) were low to mid 80's.
In MY opinion, what I saw was not equivalent to single A ball. More like mid level college ball at best.
I do think it is a good thing they are doing (helping the youth, etc...) and I wish them well.
In MY opinion, what I saw was not equivalent to single A ball. More like mid level college ball at best.
I do think it is a good thing they are doing (helping the youth, etc...) and I wish them well.
quote:Originally posted by FrankF:
I've watched parts of two different games (thanks DirecTV). Players; some with pro experience, some with college experience, some HS, some in their late 40's, at least one in his 50's. Pitchers I saw (1st and 2nd place teams) were low to mid 80's.
In MY opinion, what I saw was not equivalent to single A ball. More like mid level college ball at best.
I do think it is a good thing they are doing (helping the youth, etc...) and I wish them well.
That's more along the lines of what I was thinking. There was an article about this league in the Delta magazine on a flight I was on yesterday and it mentioned one of the players as being in his mid-50's. I thought the Single A comparison was probably a stretch, but I definitely agree with you that it's a great idea and it's good for the kids. I hope it catches on and prospers
Maybe you were watching some of the less talented teams.
The teams with talent are in areas where not many people know. IE (Bet Shemesh).
Ive been told by scouts that its around what you would see Class A ball to be. Maybe a little less.
As far as the 50 year old players, thats more of a publicity stunt. I dont think they play.
The majority of the players are Dominican, American (played in College, all levels) and former Minor League players.
From the games Ive seen televised it seems that the quality of the ball is what I would see if I went to Frederick Key's game.
Its the not best, yet. But it will be soon.
The teams with talent are in areas where not many people know. IE (Bet Shemesh).
Ive been told by scouts that its around what you would see Class A ball to be. Maybe a little less.
As far as the 50 year old players, thats more of a publicity stunt. I dont think they play.
The majority of the players are Dominican, American (played in College, all levels) and former Minor League players.
From the games Ive seen televised it seems that the quality of the ball is what I would see if I went to Frederick Key's game.
Its the not best, yet. But it will be soon.
I just found out son has a friend who plays in one of the league, Matt Brill. He's a DH I think.
Baseball in Europe is populated by the same type of players -- college, ex-pro, Dominican, Japanese, some talented locals. The Dutch & Italian Leagues are reckoned to be the best in Europe.
The Cards had Simontacchi (sp?) playing for them (he was out of the Italian League) for a while. The only other signings I know of are college-age players, including one German-born player.
With respect, I'd suggest mid college ball as well, using the European experience my son had as my guess. And the idea that if the league was full of guys were good enough to call the equivalent of A Ball, a number of them would be playing A Ball. There are certainly scouts over there.
The Cards had Simontacchi (sp?) playing for them (he was out of the Italian League) for a while. The only other signings I know of are college-age players, including one German-born player.
With respect, I'd suggest mid college ball as well, using the European experience my son had as my guess. And the idea that if the league was full of guys were good enough to call the equivalent of A Ball, a number of them would be playing A Ball. There are certainly scouts over there.
I have a bunch of friends in the league. The league has a big talent gap, so they have guys who play A-ball level, and they are batting like .400 and pitching with 1.00 ERA, but they don't have too many. I would say they play on a mid college level, in all.
posted by SSMD89
I watched the second place team beat the first place team (Bet Shemesh) 4-2.
I agree with Catch43. I saw a pretty big talent gap also. A couple guys hitting almost .500 that could play and a couple who weren't much better than a good HS player.
As I said I wish them well and hope it takes off.
quote:Maybe you were watching some of the less talented teams.
I watched the second place team beat the first place team (Bet Shemesh) 4-2.
I agree with Catch43. I saw a pretty big talent gap also. A couple guys hitting almost .500 that could play and a couple who weren't much better than a good HS player.
As I said I wish them well and hope it takes off.