Israel Baseball League

Many of you know this is my ideal professional league. Mostly because I haven't the skill or experience to play professionally in the States. But in Israel, the obstacle of playing on the Sabbath is easily overcome and it is a high level of play that I think would suit me well.

Anyway, many may have heard of the IBL, but I feel like giving them some free promotion time on this great blog and let everyone know - watch "Holy Land Hardball" on the MLB Network tonight at 10pm. It is a great documentary about the struggles of the league, players and everyone involved. I've seen in twice and would see it again if I found access to the MLB Network. (I'm still in Miami Beach and coming back tomorrow morning.)

I hope this national showing helps bring awareness to the league and hopfully they will be able to jumpstart it again, maybe in the summer of '11. That would be the most clutch thing ever because I graduate in May 2011, and I would be able to continue my baseball career without a bump in the road.

There are only two things that I don't like about the IBL. The first is that games are seven innings long. They do this because the season is crammed in and they don't have free dates to make up games (as they don't play Friday nights or Saturdays). And to keep players healthy, the don't have extra innings- they decide the game in a HR Derby. While I'm sure that's exciting, it just doesn't seem fair or normal at all.

But I'd easily dismiss that if they can get that league going again. While I work out and practice and diet all for college baseball, in the back of my mind there's always that thought it doesn't end with a diploma in my hand.

Enjoy the film!