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Prague Tryout
(from left) Virmidas-Coach, Lukas, ---, Edvardas, Dovydas (invites to MLB Academy). Sveiki!!!
Life and baseball in Kaunas, Lithuania, rolls on. Kaunas is still undefeated in both Lithuanian and Interleague games, but all of this might change as our US Tour approaches and the competition stiffens. Not to forget also that we have two tough games to close close out the first half of the season against Vilnius Logipolija.
It has been two busy weeks of hosting MLB Envoy Coaches and CFS End of Year Trips!!! So here are a few updates!!!
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3 LITHUANIANS INVITED TO MLB EUROPEAN ACADEMY, TIRENNIA, ITALY, AUGUST 11TH-29TH!!
For the second year in a row two young talents from Vilnius Logipolija Baseball Club, Edvardas Matusevicius (outfielder position) and Dovydas Neverauskas (pitcher position), have been selected to attend the 2009 MLB European Academy in Tirrennia, Italy, this summer (featured photo). In addition, Lukas Bradauskas of Logipolija was selected as an alternate for the MLB Academy, leaving the possibility that a third Logipolija player may attend. The MLB Academy will be held at the Italian Olympic Training Center from August 11th-29th, and will feature the top 158 youth baseball players from 25 European and African countries. Of the 158 invitees, 28 have already signed contracts
with MLB Clubs and 12 others will be attending University and playing baseball in the US for University baseball teams.
Congratulations to all three players for this honor and best of luck at the Academy!!
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MAJOR LEAGUE COACH GIVES BASEBALL CLINICS IN LITHUANIA!!!
Sam Dempster, Head MLB Envoy Coach, visited Lithuania for seven days of baseball clinics from May 29th-JUne 4th. He spent two days in each location coaching and working with baseball coaches and administrators in the cities of Kaunas, Vilnius, and Utena. During his stay, Sam's focus was to give dynamic support and suggestions in youth practices. He introduced new hitting and defensive drills, gave instruction on technique, as well as found time to see some of Lithuania's tourist sites including the lakes of Aukstaitija, Trakei Castle, and Vilnius Old Town.
During our ride from Utena to Kaunas, Sam shared with me his impressions of Lithuanian Baseball. He was impressed by the talent and potential in the young athletes he saw. Good strong bodies, very aggressive and powerful. He sees good things to come in Lithuanian baseball. His biggest critique was that technique and discipline must become major focuses in order for the skill level and
level of play to improve as a whole.
Sam says he looks forward to creating a lasting relationship between Lithuanian Baseball and the MLB Envoy Program. He looks forward to the possibility of sending an Envoy to Lithuania for the 2010 season, and possibly even a return visit to Lithuania himself!
We greatly appreciate the work Sam was able to do in his brief visit to Lithuania, and look forward to the possibilities this may bring. Thanks also to all those who hosted him for making the visit a success.
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KAUNAS LITUANICA TRAVELS TO CHICAGO AND THE QUAD-CITIES!!!
***myself and the Kaunas team travel to the US leaving on Monday!! Below is our schedule of events and games. If anyone reading this will be in the area, please come out and support Kaunas/Lithuanian Baseball!!!
****SCHEDULE****
June 8th: arrive in Chicago O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
June 10th: 7 pm-team attends Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers
June 11th: 1 pm White Sox vs. Tigers
Friday, June 12th 7:05 pm: Kaunas Lituanica vs. Chicago Wildcats in Midlothian, Illinois (Chicago) 9-inning game.
Directions to field: Howie Minas Field in Midlothian - Take I294 to Cicero Ave South. Take Cicero Ave South to 147th. Take 147th East to Homan Ave. Take Homan Avenue north to field. You may also take I-57 to 147th West to Homan
Address: Midlothian Park District, corner of 144th and Homan Street.
**All following games are in the ‘Quad-City’ Area:
Monday, June 15th, 6:00 pm: Kaunas Lituanica vs. Lexington Snipes, 9-inning game.
Location: IWU Jack Horenberger Field, 300 E. Kelsey St., Bloomington, IL 61701
Tuesday, June 16th at 6:00 pm: Lithuania vs. Milan Legion in Sherrard, IL 9-inning game
Location: TBA
Thursday, June 18th, 7:30 pm: QC 76ers, 9-inning game.
Location: Douglas Park, 18th Avenue and 10th Street, Rock Island, Illinois.
Saturday, June 20th 1 pm: Clinton Mudcats , 2x7-innings.
Location: TBA
Sunday, June 21st, 1:00 pm: Rockridge Legion in Reynolds, IL one 9-inning game
Location: TBA
Tuesday, June 23rd, 7:30 pm: QC 76ers in Moline, IL 9-inning game
Location: Douglas Park, 18th Avenue and 10th Street, Rock Island, Illinois.
Wednesday, June 24th: return flight—Chicago to Lithuania.
*for more detailed info regarding field locations, etc., please contact Will Gordon at wtgordon@gmail.com.
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