israelbaseballleague.com: Description of IBL

Description of the Israel Baseball League

The Israel Baseball League is the professional baseball league of Israel. In the IBL’s inaugural season, there will be six teams -- The Bet Shemesh Blue Sox, The Modi’in Miracle, The Netanya Tigers, The Petach Tikva Pioneers, The Ra'anana Express, and The Tel Aviv Lightning. Among the managers of the IBL’s teams are former Major League stars Art Shamsky, Ken Holtzman, and Ron Blomberg.

The IBL has quickly established itself as a League-of-Choice for the premier international baseball player. Already signed for its inaugural season are players from the United States, Canada, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Australia, Europe, and, of course, Israel. Players from additional countries are expected to be added over the coming months. The players signed all have significant baseball pedigrees, being alums from the Minor Leagues, national teams, college varsity teams, and other major baseball programs.

As one would expect, the majority of this season’s players will be of Jewish extraction, though that is not a prerequisite of the league. With high qualification standards set by the IBL’s Director of Baseball Operations, Dan Duquette, heavy scouting and recruiting of the best Jewish players around the globe takes place under the supervision of the IBL’s Director of Player Personnel, Martin Berger.

In addition to creating an elite league in international play, Mr. Duquette is also supervising the development of a baseball academy within Israel itself. The academy will offer rudimentary training for those new to the game all the way through skill enhancement techniques for premier professional players. In its inaugural season, about 15 to 20 players in the league are expected to be Israelis. Over the next five years, the league’s goal is to raise the level of play throughout the country so that at least 25% of the players in the league are Israeli by Year 5.

Opening Day for its premier season has been pegged to take place at Yarkon Sports Complex in the Baptist Village of Petach Tikva on June 24, 2007. The six teams each will play a 45-game schedule, augmented by a mid-season All-Star Game and a season-ending Championship Game.

Rules of the IBL

Click here for the official rules of the IBL

The rules of the IBL are a little different, all aimed at enhancing fan experiences. Our games are seven innings in duration and in the most exciting innovation of all, if games are tied after seven innings, they are decided by a Home Run Derby!

Baseball in Israel. It’s nothing but fun!!

The Experience of an IBL Baseball Game

One doesn’t merely watch a baseball game in Israel. One experiences it.

The experience begins before the game begins. Each venue has a different environment, but the feel is the same -- one that is cozier, more informal than that which is commonplace in the U.S. At Israeli baseball facilities, there is stadium seating, but there are also picnic tables, outdoor chairs, park benches and stretches where one can simply spread out a blanket and relax. In all directions, one can look beyond the confines of the field and see beautiful vistas.

Food offerings are emphasized far more than at most American sports stadiums. Besides traditional baseball food, there are barbecue stations interspersed at various spots along the perimeter. Healthier food items are also offered, as is a wider array of desserts. The reason for this is that baseball in Israel is truly meant to be a family affair, and that includes mom. Dinner at the ballpark is part of the experience, and part of the fun.

Speaking of fun, there is an extra element added to IBL baseball games that makes them “must see” entertainment. Before each game, in between innings, and often post-game, there are games, promotions, and interactive activities taking place on the field. Sack racing, “sumo wrestling” competitions, karaoke, and more all take place every day at the ball game. There are game themes, like “Wedding Day”, when the baseball field plays host to any couple that wants to get married and the league provides the rabbi, the chupah, the wine, the glass, even a piece of wedding cake to all fans in attendance, ending with a gala fireworks display – all free of charge to the lucky couples. There are “Speed Dating Nights”, where singles switch their seats every half inning, finding themselves beside a new member of the opposite sex each time to engage in conversation. And there are many more promotions to come!

As for the games themselves, what we offer is a top-notch level of play. Not only are our players graduates of premier baseball programs, but all are still looking to make their marks in the baseball world, hoping to showcase their skills in order to achieve their baseball ambitions. This guarantees exciting and competitive games.