Update from Dr. Harvey Schiller, President IBAF, on Olympic Progress and Other Items...
February 17, 2009
We hope this update finds you well as spring training gets underway in the United States, Japan, Korea, Europe and other spots around the world. Thank you for all your efforts to cover the sport, and continued success as things get going on the field. I did want to briefly update you on our efforts at the International Baseball Federation.
Yesterday we submitted our questionnaire to the International Olympic Committee for re-instatement to the Olympic Programme in 2016. The final document had almost 150 pages of facts and figures as to why baseball should be part of the Olympics again, and we are continuing to do everything possible to make that happen. It included a chart that showed that since baseball’s return to the Olympics there are almost 300 players with MLB experience who have played in The Games. Given the short period baseball has been on the Olympic Programme, that is a very impressive number.
Even more encouraging is the news of the development of the game as a vehicle for social change. Some recent examples include:
• Baseball Kenya developing a project involving almost 1,700 children in impoverished areas of Nairobi to introduce baseball as a way to work together, resolve conflict and learn both life and athletic skills.
•
• The announcement by Baseball Turkey of the establishment of 35 baseball teams, as well as serving as the host of European youth championships in Antalya.
•
• The establishment of new baseball programs for as many as 40,000 school children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
•
• The announcement that Spain’s Eric Gonzalez, a native of the Canary Islands and a top prospect in the San Diego Padres organization, was a recipient of a medal from the Spanish Government for his work growing the sport.
•
• The introduction of Dominican Republic-born Gerardo Yassel Cabrera as Iran’s national baseball coach.
•
• Clinics for both umpires and coaches held across Europe, all designed to grow the game.
•
• Over 37,000 fans showing up for yesterday's open practice for the Japanese National Team as it prepares for the World Baseball Classic.
These are in addition to the continued progress we are making with the Baseball World Cup, which will be held this September in seven nations and 27 venues, culminating with the finals in Italy on 27 September.
In short, despite some of the recent headlines, baseball as a sport has never been better positioned globally for success, and we have many people to thank for that, from the volunteers in the smallest of towns and the boys and girls of all ages who play the game, to those who play on the club and the professional level. It has been, and will always be a game for all. We are very excited about the WBC and the continued growth of the sport on all levels, and look forward to assisting you in any way we can with global information about baseball.
I believe you have already received an email from Joe Favorito, who is assisting us in our efforts, and he can be reached at fatherknickerbocker1@yahoo.com. If there is anything I can personally do for you, please contact Joe and we can arrange a time to speak. I am in Japan until Friday and will be in Orlando next week, for those who will be at spring training and may want to meet.
As always, please visit our website, ibaf.org for the latest information and a link to my blog. Feel free to contact us at any time and with any questions, thoughts or ideas on how we can assist each other.
Best regards,
Dr. Harvey W. Schiller
President
International Baseball Federation
We hope this update finds you well as spring training gets underway in the United States, Japan, Korea, Europe and other spots around the world. Thank you for all your efforts to cover the sport, and continued success as things get going on the field. I did want to briefly update you on our efforts at the International Baseball Federation.
Yesterday we submitted our questionnaire to the International Olympic Committee for re-instatement to the Olympic Programme in 2016. The final document had almost 150 pages of facts and figures as to why baseball should be part of the Olympics again, and we are continuing to do everything possible to make that happen. It included a chart that showed that since baseball’s return to the Olympics there are almost 300 players with MLB experience who have played in The Games. Given the short period baseball has been on the Olympic Programme, that is a very impressive number.
Even more encouraging is the news of the development of the game as a vehicle for social change. Some recent examples include:
• Baseball Kenya developing a project involving almost 1,700 children in impoverished areas of Nairobi to introduce baseball as a way to work together, resolve conflict and learn both life and athletic skills.
•
• The announcement by Baseball Turkey of the establishment of 35 baseball teams, as well as serving as the host of European youth championships in Antalya.
•
• The establishment of new baseball programs for as many as 40,000 school children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
•
• The announcement that Spain’s Eric Gonzalez, a native of the Canary Islands and a top prospect in the San Diego Padres organization, was a recipient of a medal from the Spanish Government for his work growing the sport.
•
• The introduction of Dominican Republic-born Gerardo Yassel Cabrera as Iran’s national baseball coach.
•
• Clinics for both umpires and coaches held across Europe, all designed to grow the game.
•
• Over 37,000 fans showing up for yesterday's open practice for the Japanese National Team as it prepares for the World Baseball Classic.
These are in addition to the continued progress we are making with the Baseball World Cup, which will be held this September in seven nations and 27 venues, culminating with the finals in Italy on 27 September.
In short, despite some of the recent headlines, baseball as a sport has never been better positioned globally for success, and we have many people to thank for that, from the volunteers in the smallest of towns and the boys and girls of all ages who play the game, to those who play on the club and the professional level. It has been, and will always be a game for all. We are very excited about the WBC and the continued growth of the sport on all levels, and look forward to assisting you in any way we can with global information about baseball.
I believe you have already received an email from Joe Favorito, who is assisting us in our efforts, and he can be reached at fatherknickerbocker1@yahoo.com. If there is anything I can personally do for you, please contact Joe and we can arrange a time to speak. I am in Japan until Friday and will be in Orlando next week, for those who will be at spring training and may want to meet.
As always, please visit our website, ibaf.org for the latest information and a link to my blog. Feel free to contact us at any time and with any questions, thoughts or ideas on how we can assist each other.
Best regards,
Dr. Harvey W. Schiller
President
International Baseball Federation