Off to the Homeland - The IBL

Since this will be my last post for the next two weeks or so, I decided to write about something that has relevance to why I will be MIA for the next couple of weeks...the IBL.

What is the IBL you ask? Well, it is the latest development in professional sports, the Israeli Baseball League. Although I probably will not be able to catch a game while visiting the homeland - yes, I'm going to Israel with another blogger on vacation later this week - I thought it might be interesting to introduce the rest of you to the newest league in professional baseball.

The first game of the IBL was played a mere 2 and 1/2 weeks ago on June 24th, 2007. It is a six team league with 3 stadiums scattered throughout the country. The IBL has a total of 120 players from 8 different countries. The most being from the U.S. (77 players), but players also hail from the Dominican Republic, Israel, Canada, Australia, Columbia, Japan and Ukraine. Currently, the league is 40% Jewish and hopes to make it 25% of Israelis by its fifth year of existence.

Tryouts were held across the U.S., Israel, and the Dominican Republic and then draft which consisted of current and former U.S. minor leaguers, starting college ballplayers, and professional players from other countries. The last player taken in the draft was Sandy Koufax as a tribute.

Although I don't find it nearly as competitive as the Cape Cod league over here in the U.S., or even the lower ranks of the minors. It is great to see baseball expanding into different, unlikely parts of the world.

Some interesting facts about the league:

• PBS aired the opening game, which had attendance of 3,112, on a one-week delay (July 1, 2007), in Boston, New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Miami.
• MLB.com will carry coverage of the league's games.
• Tickets are $10 and $6 at all locations for regular season games.
• Half the umpires come from Israel, and the rest are international umpires. There are two umpires per game, with three on Sunday nights.
• Games are seven innings, with a home run hitting contest (a home run derby) to decide a tie.
• Games are expected to take approximately two hours to play.

Some quick All-Star break awards:

AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez. Okay, listen, I realize the Yankees are light years away from the playoffs, and Vlad and Magglio are both carrying first place teams and its very hard to argue against them. But they have a ton of help (both hitting and pitching around them) and what people fail to realize is that although the Yanks have a steep up hill climb, without ARod, they would already be out of it. When all is said and done, he probably won't be the MVP (even though his numbers will deserve it), it will probably be one of the other two because of where their teams end up. However, if ARod keeps up at his current pace, his numbers alone could win it for him. See 2003 when he and the Rangers were in dead last.

NL MVP: Prince Fielder. 29 HR's at the break, and almost everyone forgets that. Love this guy, he can rake with the best of them and is leading his young Brewer squad straight into the playoffs.

AL CY Young: Dan Haren. Hey remember when I picked him to start for the AL in the All-Star game? Well guess who's starting tonight.

NL CY Young: Jake Peavy: See above.

AL Rookie of the Year: Dice-K. This guy has great stuff and can shut down any line up at anytime. Needs to work on his control. Sorry Okajima, a set-up reliever is not getting my award.

NL Rookie of the Year: Hunter Pence. An all around player. You're welcome Curtis. But seriously Nillz, get off his d*ck, sheesh.

AL Manager of the Year: Eric Wedge. Could easily go to Scioscia, Leyland, or Francona. But do you remember the start the Indians had to the season with all the snow and disarray? As well as living up to the pressure of underachieving so badly last year, that he was on the hot seat. Wedge has held it all together and lived up to all the expectations.

NL Manager of the Year: Lou Pinella. WHAT? Yeah I said it. I really wanted to give it Ned Yost or Bud Black (in his first year). But with how terrible the Cubs started at the beginning of the year, along with all the on and off the field turmoil, this guy has his club playing superb ball and making a serious run at the Brewers.

All-Star Prediction: AL 7 - NL 5. MVP: Vladimir Guerrero.

Enjoy the game.