Little League Baseball continues to grow at a fast pace around the globe, especially in Europe.  It’s great to know that all these kids in different countries, speaking different languages, and wearing foreign uniforms are playing our national past time.  The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and its partners deserve a lot of the credit for the growth of Little League overseas.  I look forward to our trip to France next year as Malik and I will try to play a little organized ball in Paris for a couple of weeks. Nous pratiquerons le Francais  je suis a Paris (We will practice speaking French when we are in Paris).

IBAF’s partners in the initiative include Major League Baseball, which has placed an increased emphasis on growing the sport globally.

The conclusion that European interest in baseball is mushrooming is drawn from several factors, among them:

• Enrollment in Little League baseball is up 10 percent across the continent.

• “Pitch in for Baseball,” a non-profit group, recently completed its first equipment giveaway and clinic in Iraq and plans further extensive equipment programs throughout Europe.

• The participation in Major and Minor League baseball of a record number of 40-plus natives of nine European countries — England, Portugal, Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands and France.

• The enthusiastic reactions to MLB-sponsored European Academy tryouts in six countries. MLB, in concert with IBAF and the European Baseball Confederation (CEB), will also conduct coaching and player clinics in 10 countries (Czech Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom) through early 2010.

• Reflective of the demand for baseball information, IBAF recently debuted two country-specific Web sites (www.baseballgermany.com and www.baseball-france.com), with more planned for the near future.

A total of 22 countries are expected to compete in the Baseball World Cup, which will begin on Sept. 9 with first-round play at several European locations. The finals are scheduled for Sept. 27, in Italy.

2009-detroit-cubs-schedule_v2 Detroit Cubs 2009 schedule & standings

cubsstats20090502  2009 Final Exhibition Stats

cubsstats20090719 2009 Final Season Stats

Travel baseball seems to be the best thing going for youth if you ask most travel baseball coaches.  It gives the elite baseball player a chance to play with his peers that have similar ability.  It was designed to allow the best to play against the best.  It also gives a player a higher chance of being recognized by would be high school and college scouts.

I’m not against travel baseball but I think that we need to be realistic about which players and families it benefits.  I also think that many parents may have a higher opinion of their player’s baseball ability than what really exists.  Unfortunately, too many kids are being pushed into travel competition who would probably be better served by a good “house” league.  And by the way, the house leagues are really starting to suffer because of the travel craze.

Keep it real parents!

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