After the Holidays

It is an hour after sundown and according to the Jewish calender it is officially the 23rd of Tishrei, the most dreaded day of the year.  Since August 1 any action item on any agenda in Israel has been legitimately tabled until "After the Hagim".  This includes minor items on the government's agenda such as bombing nuclear reactors, calling for new elections and deciding on a national budget, as well as major items such as finishing the planning for the field  in Raanana, training more coaches and exposing more Israeli children to the great game of baseball.  The 23'rd of Tishrei is officially the first day "after the Hagim" and so disappears the legitimate reason which masks what is normally termed as inaction and procrastination.  No more excuses accepted (at least until Pesach).

One baseball game did not determine the fate of Israel Baseball.  Win or lose the qualifiers the fate of Israel baseball would still be determined by the actions and hard work of those who volunteer for Israel baseball.  On our dedicated coaches who bring the love of the game to Israeli children, to our coaches who visit schools introducing baseball to the classrooms and to our many friends in the diaspora who provide us with the means to train more coaches, improve and expand our facilities and improve the quality of play in Israel.  I'm not sure if our job would have been easier or more difficult had we qualified for the WBC, but I do know for certain that our support base has expanded and their desire to help us has been fuelled.  We have been overwhelmed by thousands of words of encourage not only by hundreds of our friends but even from sources such as the New York Times, Haaretz, and some of my favorite articles by Yossi Goldstein and Elli Wohlgerlertner.   

While the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, that is always the most difficult step.  But with so many friends joining you in the journey, everything is that much easier. 

So happy after the Hagim to all, and here is our short list of our immediate tasks at hands.

• Complete the planning and cost analyses of the Raanana Field
• Introduce baseball in schools and recruit new players
• Import 50 baseball kits (balls, bases, bats and gloves) to distribute to schools for gym teachers to use in classes
• Organize our youth leagues
• Improve facilities in Modiin, Jerusalem, Gallilee and other areas in need
• Expand our program to the south of the country
• Expand our Premiere League
• Train and recruit our national team players for 2013 (Maccabia - July 2013, European Qualifier, European Little League and Pony League championships)

אחרי החגים שמח
Happy After the Holidays