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Slovakian Baseball

Q Quincy1,000+ posts
Slovakians learning fast
1990 first season of baseball

jwashburn@journalandcourier.com

Slovakian baseball player Stefan Lopusny is old enough to understand that change takes time, yet young enough to hope for a rapid influx of talent in his native land.

This 16-year-old catcher/pitcher for the European Zone representative in this year's Colt World Series is basking in the United States' passion for the sport he loves.

And he can't wait for today's 2:30 p.m. CWS game against West Zone champion Morgan Hill, Calif.

"In Slovakia, baseball is becoming more popular, but not real fast," Lopusny said. "There's not enough people involved right now. There is a gap between the leading players and others.

"Many who want to continue playing have to start their careers ... get a job. They start to have families and must find accommodations. There are different problems. But I hope when little kids grow up, they will come back and help us coach."

While Slovakian television does not include ESPN, there is one channel that occasionally airs Major League Baseball games. Lopusny's favorite hitter is now-retired Sammy Sosa, and his defensive idol is catcher Ivan Rodriguez.

During his stay in Indiana, Lopusny has an opportunity to watch plenty of baseball and indulge in other American favorites.

"I like shopping most of all," Lopusny said. "The atmosphere here is good. I like it. I also like Loeb Stadium. It's going to be fun. I will enjoy it."

Lopusny and his 14 teammates earned a CWS trip by defeating the Czech Republic in the European Zone semifinals and Germany in the finals.

According to manager Martin Masopust, that's quite an accomplishment for a country that did not play baseball until 1990.

Until that year, Slovakians played fastpitch softball. The movement to baseball began during Slovakia's change from socialism to a democracy.

In 1990, there wasn't a single baseball field in Slovakia.

"We started at point zero," Masopust said. "It was difficult even to get equipment into the country."

Now, there are four club teams in Slovakia, and the youth numbers are increasing.

"Coming to the Colt World Series is a great opportunity," Masopust said. "This tournament will be a great opportunity for our kids to play on a field like Loeb Stadium with thousands of spectators.

"I am curious what it will make of us. The hospitality has been unbelievable. Everyone we've met here has helped us so much. We would like to thank them."
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rz1rz15,000+ posts
I'm kind of turned off to the Colt World Series when they leave off worthy US teams in order to bring in a team from Slovakia. I know it's the "World Series", but come on.......According to the release the only reason they have baseball is because of a change in government in 1990. While I have respect for the Colt organization, and the Slovakian team this tournament looks a little watered down.
Last edited by rz1
Q Quincy1,000+ posts
The original format was to have four regional US teams, two host city teams, a Pacific team, a Carribean team, a Latin American team and a European team.

Each team had to compete against other regional or national teams to win the opportunity to play in Lafayette.

The term World Series has more meaning when more of the world is competing for the title World Champion.

They have baseball since 1990 not because they may not have been interested, but because they didn't have the freedom to have baseball. It was considered a symbol of the west and the Socialist government would not allow it.

At times it may be difficult for us here in the USA to imagine not having the many freedoms that we have so we take them for granted.

Let's hope that word of these great World Series events spreads across the nation so that more deserving teams become involved with PONY baseball to have the opportunity to participate.

http://www.pony.org/home/default.asp
Last edited by Quincy
rz1rz15,000+ posts
HC,
Not at all as there is a series of 162 games and playoffs pitting "like teams". Now if the the winner of the Mexican and Austrailian professional Leagues were in the World Series playoffs as a result of there being the respective league champion I would have an issue.

Following Bobo's politcal slant makes it no more than a "Goodwill" Tournament.

My suggestion would be wild card slots where the foriegn teams would come over and play the "last team out" of the US regions for the right to play in those World Series slots.
Last edited by rz1
Holden CaulfieldHolden Caulfield1,000+ posts
as i understand it, those U.S. teams competed against like teams and lost. Personally, i think that anything that helps promote baseball in other countries is a good thing.

quote:
Originally posted by rz1:
HC,
Not at all as there is a series of 162 games and playoffs pitting "like teams". Now if the the winner of the Mexican and Austrailian professional Leagues were in the World Series playoffs as a result of there being the respective league champion I would have an issue.

Following Bobo's politcal slant makes it no more than a "Goodwill" Tournament.

My suggestion would be wild card slots where the foriegn teams would come over and play the "last team out" of the US regions for the right to play in those World Series slots.
Last edited by Holden Caulfield
Midlo DadMidlo Dad10,000+ posts
I have read prior posts where Willie viewed the interest of many American children in s****r as an indication of foreign influence over the attitudes of our next generation.

I would therefore welcome the expansion of baseball worldwide, since according to Willie, that would represent the triumph of American culture worldwide. And if other countries catch baseball fever so thoroughly as to excel at it, so much the better. Maybe we can even improve on our trade deficit by exporting high-priced ballplayers to foreign markets?
S sonisclass0810+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by rz1:
I'm kind of turned off to the Colt World Series when they leave off worthy US teams in order to bring in a team from Slovakia. I know it's the "World Series", but come on.......According to the release the only reason they have baseball is because of a change in government in 1990. While I have respect for the Colt organization, and the Slovakian team this tournament looks a little watered down.


Sorry you feel this way. But what about the host team getting in automatically every year. Doesn't this also leave off "worthy US teams"?

I'm all for international particpation at any of the "World Series". It gives the kids playing a glimmer of hope in playing baseball in the States, against the best competition.

BTW, my oldest son played on the England team a few years back, while they didn't win any games, they all had a great time and the expereince was very beneficial for each of the players. Many long term benefits for the Great Britian National team. The core of this team went on to win the Junior European Championships. At least two other posters have boys that are part of the Great Britian National Team and may have also participated in other years at the Colt WS- they may have some other thoughts.

One of the players from that years team is now playing at Stanford.

My son, was a co-awardee for the Sportsmanship award during that World Series. If you ask him, that award was the single greatest personal accomplishment he has attained.
F futurecatcher271,000+ posts
How Awesome!!!My mother is actually from the Slovak republic(back then czechoslovakia),and my aunt still lives there!I went there 3 years ago and I saw 2 ball fields,and ofcourse I had to jump
into a pickup game with some of our neighbors.

I think its great that baseball is spreading to small countries,and I hope its growth continues.I am also fluent in Slovak,so Im thrilled to read something like this.
Q Quincy1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
I have read prior posts where Willie viewed the interest of many American children in s****r as an indication of foreign influence over the attitudes of our next generation.

I would therefore welcome the expansion of baseball worldwide, since according to Willie, that would represent the triumph of American culture worldwide. And if other countries catch baseball fever so thoroughly as to excel at it, so much the better. Maybe we can even improve on our trade deficit by exporting high-priced ballplayers to foreign markets?


First I gave you an example of one way that the attitudes of our next generation are being influenced.

Secondly, if we export our games and ideals rather than our jobs, our trade defecit will grow smaller and our standard of self-sufficiency will be re-established.

Politically speaking, we may not be perfect, but we may be the closest thing to prefection that this world has yet to see.
Last edited by Quincy
Q Quincy1,000+ posts
CWS parents enjoy playing tourists
By BOB SCOTT
bscott@journalandcourier.com

Some parents will travel to the ends of the earth to watch their kids play baseball. Well, at least they'll go to Lafayette.

Bosy Martin's son was playing for Slovakia in the Colt World Series. Jorge and Isela Azani are among a group of parents who traveled from Juarez, Mexico to watch their sons compete.

"It's a long way from Slovakia," Martin said Saturday through an interpreter

He is the only parent, other than a coach, to make the trip. He lives in the capital city of Bratislava.

"It's been exciting to be here," he said. "We didn't expect so much hospitality. We went to the Indy 500 track. It is huge. I've only seen it on TV. It was nice to actually stand on the track."

Martin estimates that he spent $1,500 for airfare, visas, hotels and food. He said it took two hours to fly from Bratislava to Paris, then nine hours to fly to Chicago. After that, a two-hour bus trip to Lafayette.

Bosy plays catcher and outfield for Slovakia, which lost to Mexico 14-2 on Saturday afternoon.

The Azanis' son, also named Jorge, is a pitcher and slugger for the Mexican team. The elder Jorge said 26 players, coaches and parents traveled 1,400 miles in two vans.

"We've had a very good time here," said the father. "We're very proud to represent Mexico.

"It's the first time that the Juarez team has come to the Colt World Series."

Azani said his family has visited Purdue University, the Indianapolis Zoo, many Lafayette restaurants and the Tippecanoe Mall.

"I like the weather, the plants and everything in Lafayette," said Isela. "We've purchased souvenirs, including Purdue shirts.

"This is a small city, but a very nice city."

Their friend, Ventura Gutierrez, came to watch her son, Hugo, play with the Mexican team. He is a pitcher and third baseman.

"It is really nice here. I especially liked the mall. I used my credit card," she said with a laugh.

She said the hospitality from the host families was the "most pleasant surprise. They have been very kind to our sons and to the parents."

Jorge Azani said it cost about $2,000 for the rental vans, gasoline and hotels.

"It took about 30 hours to get here from Mexico. We had two drivers for each van and kept switching drivers," he said.

"But it has been worth it. We've had a great time here."

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