1999-2010

Monday, August 04, 2008

10 days to go: Israel baseball fest unlikely


When the Israel Baseball League put out a press release announcing that a one-week “festival” and baseball “show” would replace its already-truncated four-team, 20-game, three-week, momentum-keeping mini-season on August 14th at the Yarkon Sports Complex at the Baptist Village, it also promised:

“Final roster spots will be determined and announced in the coming days.

“The full schedule of events will be announced on the IBL web site shortly.”


Here we are, eleven days later, with ten days left on the countdown clock, and so far, no final roster nor schedule has been announced. In fact, no further details of the festival have been announced, and last night, Israel Association of Baseball president Haim Katz told Our Man Elli in Israel that “ The field at Baptist (is) in the worst shape I’ve seen it in 10 years!”

Sadly, it’s looking more and more likely that David Solomont’s plans to turn Israel into “the Dominican Republic of the Middle East” will not be happening anytime soon.

“My suspicion is that the announcement of the festival may have been designed more to help raise money from investors than anything else,” another insider tells Elli.. “If it doesn't proceed, that may mean there's been little progress on the money front. It's apparent Solomont doesn't want to risk his money on the venture.”

“No schedule has been published. Nor has there been any further announcement concerning the festival or the IBL's activities. So I'm beginning more and more to think this may be more show than substance,” says another.

And as for the seven-man “All-Star team” promised to participate, another source confides: “At least one guy told (IBL “Director of U.S. Operations” Martin I.) Berger to forget the festival. That means they’re down to six guys.”

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have full faith in David Solomont and the six man baseball festival. It should be fun.

Anonymous said...

Yes! A Great Festivus! Peanuts and Cracker Jack, baseball under the stars! It is sooo exciting! Only 10days to go!

Anonymous said...

Fun, and fair. 6 All-Stars against a full squad from Israel is pretty much even.

Not a dig, just the truth. Why doesn't the IAB put something together? Have Birthright put together a trip for baseball playing American Jews who haven't been to Israel yet, the JNF would love that, and throw in some Baptists so they can play at the nice field for free. It raises publicity for all groups involved, and I think it would be awesome to have an interfaith sport display. Might make it more fair...

All we are saying, is give baseball a chance.

Anonymous said...

Why be so negative? The day of the game the IBL should announce the venue and time of the game on the website or newspaper.That's all I need.

Anonymous said...

Yes, and that's all they need to con more investors into paying into the pocket of Larry. The scam continues!!!!!! And Fat Mouth Feingold is saving baseball in Israel!!!! Hang tough, Leon, you da man!

Anonymous said...

Who says this is a scam? I had fun watching baseball last season and will have fun watching baseball this season.

Anonymous said...

Ask anyone who plays baseball in Israel if they have been contacted to and/or are playing on the Israel All-Star team and you will be looked at like you have 6 heads...
if there is an American team, rumor has it the last 3 players will be Jeremy Baras, Martin Berger and Larry Baras, with Solomont as their manager. Their team sponsor on the back of their jerseys? No, not Chico's Bail Bonds, though it should be(Bad News Bears/Bad News Baras...pretty close)...but no, it is going to be Baras's Bagel Basket...talk about cheap advertising...
and this just in, the plane tickets have finally arrived...only 5 connections and 3 days of flying on the new discount airline Air Quaeda before landing in Jordan and having to catch a camel to Tel Aviv!!!!
Fuckin' ay...gotta love baseball IBL style!

Anonymous said...

That last post was in poor taste.
I saw Larry Baras run so quickly from the championship game. Martin Berger ate at Burgers Bar faster than Feingold. Jeremy Baras was even faster as there is not one witness to anything he did last summer. Their speed is unparalleled .I bet on them to be the Israeli team!

Anonymous said...

"Who says this is a scam? I had fun watching baseball last season and will have fun watching baseball this season."

The question is not whether you had fun watching baseball. It has nothing to do with the quality of play. A scam is when you write a check when you know there is no money to cover it. THAT is a felony. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Anonymous said...

I watched a whole bunch of games and nobody even collected money from me!
What a great league. I hope they do not charge admission again this year, as I will be going with my family to as many games as possible for the festival.