חיים קץ נשיא Haim Katz PRESIDENT פיטר קורץ מזכיר כללי Peter Kurz SECRETARY GENERAL אפרים קרן סגן נשיא Ephraim Keren VICE PRESIDENT נתן פומרנץ גזבר Nathan Pomerantz TREASURER איריס שיוביץ מנהל אדמינסטריבי Iris Shiovitz OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

IAB President's Newsletter August 2006 Dear IAB Members, This is the third of our quarterly newsletters whose purpose is to keep the parents and players up to date on the activities of the IAB. We had an extremely busy and successful summer both in a happy healthy ,שנה טובה, בריאה ושקטה and overseas. We wish all our community a and peaceful New Year. Haim Katz, President -Israel Association of Baseball ([email protected]).

Juveniles Win Historic Bronze Medal IAB Camp of Giants Exceeds All Expectations

The Israeli Juvenile (age 10-12) team captured the Over 100 Israeli baseball players honed up on their bronze medal at the European (CEB) juvenile baseball skills during the 2 week summer baseball championships held in July in the Czech Republic. festival. The first joint venture of the IAB and the The Czechs dominated the tournament and took the nd (IBL) included two weeks of gold. There was a three way tie for 2 place camp and two evening clinics. between Israel, Russia and Poland, each with 4-2 records. The tie breaking rules put Russia just ahead The star-studded staff included 2 Jewish ex-major of Israel, which edged out Poland for the bronze. leaguers, Elliott Maddox and Bob Tufts, Head This is the first time that an Israeli Juvenile team has of Yeshiva University, Norman Ringel, taken home a medal from a European tournament. veteran coaches Bob Ruxin of the IBL and Leon Head Coach Chuck Tovar, assistant Eliyahu Jackson Klarfeld of the IAB, and a host of IAB star players and Zaq Harrison spearheaded the team to from the senior and junior leagues. Twelve year old its unprecedented success. Josh Abady, made the trip all the way from the USA to Israel just to attend the camp. When asked by The offensive attack was led by Yoni Alter (.588), reporters if he was glad to have, come he replied, David Tover (.500) and Ilan Klein (.400). "Boy am I ever". His dad, Sam Abady, who also Defensively, the "Big Blue" (as they nicknamed assisted with the coaching, was full of praise for the themselves) were outstanding, with Yasmina Breif staff. playing a perfect second base. One of the most ~~~~~~~~~ thrilling games was against Belarus. Israel was IAB to Hold Baseball Invitational Bridges down 6-5 and in the bottom of the last . Raya Ben-David (one of two girls on the team), who Tournament in Summer 2007 had already pitched 3 strong , led off with a An international tournament involving teams from sharp . The team tied the score at 6, had a Jewish communities throughout North and South runner thrown out at the plate, and then scored the America will be held in Israel for 13-15 year olds. winning in the most exciting finish of the Jay Zauderer ([email protected]) and Bob Ruxin tournament. Ben-David thus became the first ([email protected]) will be organizing the winning in CEB who played in a skirt. tournament. If you would like to help with the More Details :www.iab.org.il Official tournament tournament planning, or have contacts with site: communities who might want to participate in such a http://www.baseball.cz/eurojuveniles2006/index.php?lang=E tournament ,please contact Jay or Bob. CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES AND INFO www.iab.org.il

ת.ד. 48159 , תל אביב 61481 P.O.B. 48159, 61581 EMAIL: [email protected] web: http://www.iab.org.il Israel U21s finish ninth at European over the U21 National Team . Championship Anxiety over the war with Hezbollah did not deter Senior Standings WL

Israel's under-21 national team, coached by Criag J'rslm Mike's Pl. 13 3 Dunning and Bruce Maddy-Wetizman, from putting up a spirited battle against Europe's finest squads in Tel Aviv A's 8 8 one of the continent's prettiest baseball corners, the Fruili-Venezia-Giulia region of in northeastern Italy, Team 21 4 5 Raanana PTC 3 12 The team's results were mixed. Four tough losses placed the team in the lowest bracket. However, resounding back-to-back wins allowed Israel to Gesher Dominates Junior Play conclude on a high note, placing ninth out of 11 In Junior League action, Gesher cruised to an easy participants. 13-3 win over the Sharon Junior Red Wings, to The team's spirits were further boosted with the repeat as league champions, with Yoni Schwartz awarding of the tournament's outstanding third picking up the win and stroking a mammoth baseman trophy to the versatile Nate Rosenberg, the to the 330 ft. sign in left field to help his own cause. youngest player on the squad, based on his nifty The Red Wings had earned the spot in the final fielding, .500 batting average, .900 slugging game by eking out a scintillating extra-inning win percentage, and team-leading five RBIs. over , 5-4, thanks to the heroic eight Other individual achievements included Amit innings of pitching by new Cuban oleh, Yeoandry Megiddo's six stolen bases and .313 average, Eitan Levy-Gil, and a game-winning by Ilan Gross. Shain's team-leading six hits, and Alon Leichman's outstanding play at second base and team-leading 14 as pitcher. Junior Standings WL Jerusalem Mikes Place - Senior League Gesher 11 0 Champs Raanan Jr 5 7

Jerusalem Jr 2 9 AIS 1 3

Jerusalem "Mike's Place" capped off a fine season IAB All Star Action with an entertaining 10-5 win over Tel Aviv Minors (8-10) "CCCP" to win the Israel Senior Baseball League's The tournament playoff championship for the second year in a row. held in Ra'anana Durable lefty hurler Rafi Stern displayed his MVP included teams credentials by shutting down Tel Aviv's bats after a from Ra'anana, shaky start, allowing just two hits over the last four -Tel innings, while striking out 10 batters overall. His Mond, Jerusaelm, counterpart Josh Shulman matched him pitch for Rehovot-Gezer, pitch for four innings, striking out six and walking Modi'in and only one, but erratic Tel Aviv defense allowed Hashmonaim. Jerusalem to break open a heretofore close game The tournament with four fifth inning runs to take an insurmountable was a round-robin affair, and the overall winner was lead. Coach David Friedman's well-balanced attack Hashmonaim with second place going to Ra'anana. was paced by Moishe Lewis, Moshe Radner and Zvi Zubitsky, who had two hits each. Tel Aviv batsmen were led by Orr Gottleib's laser-beam HR over the 334 ft. sign in left center field, and long double high off the "Gray Monster" down the left field line, and a double and a single Ofir Katz, and Hillel Moreski's two hits. Tel Aviv had earned the right to play in the championship game by holding on for a 4-3 triumph

ת.ד. 48159 , תל אביב 61481 P.O.B. 48159, Tel Aviv 61581 EMAIL: [email protected] web: http://www.iab.org.il Sachek Kadur! Play Ball!The Israel Baseball League

Larry Baras, founder of the Israel Baseball League (IBL) made a historic trip to Israel to lay the foundation for the formation of a professional league in Israel. After enlisting a veritable "Who's T Who" of US professional The IBL held tryouts in August at the baseball to help in his efforts, Sports Academy, located in the Berkshire mountains Baras is now laying the groundwork needed to make of Massachusetts. Over 60 players attended. Among the league a reality. Opening day is scheduled for the players were a 49-year old who plays in the June 22, 2007. Mexican league, an Australian, a local reporter who Earlier, the Israel Baseball League announced that it did a story from the personal side, and the IAB's has launched an unprecedented, far-reaching good friend Eitan Grayson. IBL Commissioner Dan initiative to promote the game of baseball in the Kurtzer, as well as Dan Duquette, Norman Ringel, State of Israel. The program includes the building of and of course Larry Baras were there also. The community baseball fields throughout Israel, event generated considerable interest from the press recruiting Jewish Americans to play on the 2008 including ESPN on-line, local TV stations and Israeli Women's Softball Olympics team, the numerous newspapers. establishment of a summer baseball camp that will The IBL will be holding tryouts in Israel on open this July in Israel, and ultimately, the formation November 10. Check our website for details. of a professional league in Israel. The Israel Baseball League can be reached via email at [email protected]. Contact: Larry Baras. ~~~~~ Raanana Mayor Hofri Pledges Field for City The baseball community of Raanana came out in full force to greet their mayor, Mr. Nahum Hofri, who paid a visit to the Raanana field on Friday. Haim Katz, IAB President, and Bruce Maddy-Weitzman, President of the Raanana Baseball Club, both praised the Mayor and the city for their support of baseball in Raanana and expressed the hope that the city will continue to maintain a home for baseball in Raanana. The IBL is collaborating with several Jewish Mayor Hofri organizations in the execution of its projects. The stated clearly to Jewish National Fund, which is responsible for the large crowd creating recreational areas in Israel, is one such of players and institution, helping the IBL secure parcels of land for parents, that the conversion to baseball fields. The IBL and IAB are city would negotiating an agreement which will cement the continue to cooperation between the two organizations. support According to Baras, IBL initiatives in the areas of baseball in Raanana and pledged to find baseball a baseball fields, equipment, and instruction will new field, if and when they will be required to contribute mightily to the expansion of the game evacuate their current location. here. Bruce Maddy-Weitzman thanked the Raanana The IBL's web site (www.israelbaseballleague.com) sponsors for their assistance to the club: Chip Moss serves as a portal through which information about president of Opcom Technolgies, Zaq Harrison of is disseminated to the Jewish American Home Mortgages, Michael Bar-Chen of population worldwide and through which this Pizza Chen & Mel Levi of Re/max Ra'anana. population can join the effort to promote baseball in Israel.

ת.ד. 48159 , תל אביב 61481 P.O.B. 48159, Tel Aviv 61581 EMAIL: [email protected] web: http://www.iab.org.il IAB Mitzvah Club

IAB Inaugurates Coaches Course

The Israel Association of Baseball in cooperation with the Israel Softball Association is beginning a coaches course The course has been approved by the Ministry of Sport and will be held at the Seminar Hakibutzim in Tel Aviv. Graduates of the course will be certified baseball instructors under the Israel Sport Law. This is a major step forward for Israel Charter Members - Ryan Susman, Brian Baseball which will improve the level of coaching in Chamberlain, and Scoop Ruxin Israel, and is crucial in our plans to expand baseball The IAB Mitzva Club is composed of Bnei Mitzva, in Israel. who for their Bar or Bat Mitzva project collected The course consists of two parts: a) baseball and delivered baseball equipment to the IAB. The practice, with head instructors David Schenker and bats, gloves, balls, helmets, tees, catching gear, etc. Leon Klarfeld and accompanying staff, and b) collected by the club members is used to help general/theoretical courses in subjects such as promote baseball in Israel. As a result of their biology, physiology, health and safety. efforts, more teams can be equipped, more clinics can be run, and more children who cannot afford gloves have the opportunity to play baseball. We salute the members of this club and call upon all the Bnei Mitzva who love baseball and Israel to join.

"Pitch In For Baseball" Goes to Bat for Israel Baseball "Pitch In for Baseball," a non- profit organization dedicated to promoting baseball among youth, has put Israel Baseball on their

map. Mark and Laura Solomon The IAB is offering scholarships for anyone and their family brought 5 bags interested in taking the course and continuing on as a of equipment for our teams. They will also take baseball coach. The sponsorships are in part charge of the 'Mitzvah Project' by promoting and supported by generous donations from Gary Jacobs organizing the donors in the US. of the Lake Elsinore Storm, and the Meitar family. (http://www.pitchinforbaseball.org)

IAB Projects Anyone interested in joining should contact Ephraim Keren ([email protected]) who is the course

• Senior League Sponsorship Project (2006-2007) coordinator. • Coaches Certification Program • Invitational Bridges Tournament (13-15) OUR NEW ADDRESS • Coaches/Players Clinics • National Teams Project • Umpire Training Course Israel Association of Baseball • Equipment Acquisition Project P.O.B. 48159 • Field Improvement Projects Tel Aviv 61481 • Field Establishment Projects Israel

Tel/Fax: 050-8962017 email: [email protected]

ת.ד. 48159 , תל אביב 61481 P.O.B. 48159, Tel Aviv 61581 EMAIL: [email protected] web: http://www.iab.org.il