District Administrator, Little League in Ukraine (1995)
Scout San Diego Padres Major League Baseball Team
Before I answer that question, a word from our sponsors. This June, in Kyiv, the Ukrainian Little League is hosting the 7th annual Ukraine Country Championships for children ages 11-12. The dates of the finals are June 1-4 to be held at the only officialbaseball field in Kyiv at school 104 in Puchia Vodicia raion. All officially chartered leagues, which have registered at least 4 teams, ages 9-12, may send an all-star team to compete for the title. The winner of the tournament is then allowed to represent Ukraine at the European Little League Championships in Kutno, Poland August 1-9.
I am looking for sponsors to help offset the costs of housing, feeding and a cultural program for the many children who will be attending the 4-day event.
If anyone is willing to donate monies for housing, meals, transportation or donate shirts and caps with your company logo or provide any other help is urged to contact me at 718-415-7821 (USA), e-mail: BT4UKRAINE@aol.com or call my assistant Vitaliy Lizogubenko 8-097-544-9141 (Ukraine Little League phone).
In June of 2005, all-star teams from Rivne, Donetsk, Symferopil and Kirovograd participated for the Ukrainian title. Also all-star teams from two orphanages (internati) Donetsk and Radomichel played exhibition games during the tournament. In 2006, I expect the number of Little Leagues from regular schools to increase from 5 to 10 and the number of Little Leagues from internati to rise from 4 to 10. Why such a rise?
More and more communities are realizing that the Little League philosophy of allowing all children the right to play is the right way to promote this new sport in Ukraine. Unlike the traditional method of selecting only the best athletes while leaving out many children, Little League invites all kids no matter how talented to participate. More and more communities see the Little League program as a great way to involve parents, local school officials, local sports organization in keeping kids occupied from the many negative influences in society.
This past August, 4 Ukrainian coaches, two from Kirovograd and two from Rivne gave up two weeks of their time to volunteer and present a baseball/ softball program to over 600 orphans in the Carpathian Mountains. The camp was organized by the Help Us Help the Children Fund and its President Maryna Krysa. What is noteworthy is that this is the first time that Ukrainian coaches became "volunteers". In the U.S., the entire Little League program is held together by parents, all volunteers. In Ukraine, due to difficult economic times, who can really understand the concept of what a volunteer is. As my friend Vitaliy told me, "When we here in Ukraine start to earn the average salary of an American, then we will become volunteers".
Over 40 internati sent children ages 13-17 came to the summer camp. Six of these internati are now about to join the Little League program based on their positive experience at the camp.
You may ask, what will these children use as equipment? Local stores do not carry any baseball/softball equipment in Ukraine. Membership in Little League does not mean that an internat will get equipment. Since 2003, Harold Weissman, my assistant in the U.S. and
I have been asking for US Little Leagues to donate equipment for these needy and as I say, almost forgotten children. Many caring U.S. leagues have contributed. Little League International, in Williamsport, PA, recently has donated two starter kits of new equipment to Ukraine. The United States State Department has agreed to transport over 250 boxes of donated equipment to Ukraine. I expect delivery in time for the opening of the 2006 season.
I would like to thank Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst for supporting my volunteer work with the Little League in Ukraine. Also, the Children of Chornobyl Relief and Development Fund for preparing the necessary mounds of paperwork to get the needed equipment into Ukraine. Special thanks to Peace Corps Ukraine for housing this needed equipment.
U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers are now encouraged to start Little League programs at their sites. All that I ask is that they start with 25 kids, two teams and to convince a local physical education instructor to learn this new sport. Then Volunteers can obtain needed equipment to begin participating in the Little League program.
Training is necessary to prepare the teachers from internati and elsewhere to teach this new sport. I have organized a Little League baseball and softball clinic for March 18-19 in Kirovograd. This 2-day seminar focuses on the basics of throwing, fielding, hitting, rules and practice organization. The costs of travel, housing and meals for the teachers from internati will be picked up by Ukraine Little League. If you care to help in the future, please contact me.
So, where are the "fields of dreams" for the children of Ukraine? Firstly, there are not many. The only baseball stadium is in the city of Kirovograd. This stadium sits 900 people and is one of the better fields in Europe. In the nearby town of Nove Selo, the local town built two large fields for children from tee-ball age to adults. There are now dugouts but no stands, very expensive. In Simferopil, the University there has a combined baseball and softball diamond. In Sumy there is a baseball field. Now in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, there once existed the first baseball field in Ukraine's history in the Bereznyaki raion. Recently it was taken away by AQUA-PARK Properties. This was a shame, no one accepts blame for this unfortunate occurrence. What is left in Kyiv is one Little League field in Pucha Vodicia. The local adult team ATMA-Sport has to travel to other cities to play home games. Where do the 13 year olds play in Kyiv? They need an adult field. There is none. We will lose some talented players. There are many talented players in Ukraine. Without baseball fields, how can baseball expand and be promoted? I guess the future development of baseball in Ukraine starts with local communities assisted by caring local sports officials. There must be a total commitment to help the youth play organized sports, provide the funding, make the child the most important resource that the village, town, or city has. Make funding of youth sport the priority of any community.
Today is Monday, March 20. Just arrived into Donetsk from the Little League baseball clinic in Kirovograd.
I am thrilled to report that there were 23 participants at the clinic. Just 2 years ago, at our first Little League clinic there were but two coaches. A dramatic rise in interest. Among the teachers were 2 from Transdniestra region of Moldova, 11 physical education teachers from seven different orphanages across Ukraine joining the Little League family and 2 Little League Presidents, a first.
Ukraine Little League baseball picked up the costs of transportation, housing and meals for the eleven new baseball coaches from internati. I plan more of these types of clinics. Care to help in the future? Please contact me, any help will be greatly appreciated.
This 2nd Little League clinic focused on the basic elements of playing baseball: running, throwing, fielding, batting, game situations and practice organization. In two days we covered all the topics and our new coaches left with smiles on their faces and are no longer terrified about the prospects of teaching children the elements of a new sport.
I would like to acknowledge the help of my staff, which made this clinic a success for all. Mr. Vitaliy Lizogubenko, Ukrainian Baseball Trainer, Mr. Oleh Boyko, Coach National Baseball team of Ukraine, Mr. Yuriy Boyko, his assistant and Mr. Harold Weissman, District Administrator of District 27 in New York, USA.
While in the Donetsk region, Harold and I will introduce baseball to an orphanage in Makiyivka. These children are new to the sport. Hopefully we will put a smile on their faces and show them how to catch and throw a baseball and foul off that tough pitch. On March 22nd, I will re-visit orphanage #1 in Donetsk, which is starting the 2nd baseball season. We will sharpen their skills and enjoy their company once again.
On March 23, onward to Kyiv to meet with PeaceCorps representatives to continue to assist those PC Volunteers who want to start Little League program in their communities.
On March 25, onward to Ostroh, Rivne oblast to visit an orphanage for deaf orphans. These children have not seen a baseball, bat or glove. I will learn a lot on how to communicate with children with hearing difficulties. A challenge for me, which I gladly accept.
I will keep all of you informed of my progress in developing baseball in Ukraine.
This trip is my 42nd since 1991 as a volunteer. I am a Ukrainian American who just wants to help the land of my parents and all my ancestors. My way of assistance is through baseball.
Please help me, help the children of Ukraine. Thank you.
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