European Baseball Academy
Courtesy of J. over at Mariner Minors, we learn that MLB has announced the names of participants in its second annual European Academy, to be held from July 27-August 18th in Tirrenia, Italy.
You can find the full list here.
The growth of baseball in Europe and Africa will be an interesting development to watch over the next few years. The Seattle Mariners appear to be leading the charge of investment into European scouting and talent development. Two years ago, the Mariners signed Gregory Halman, a Dutch outfielder whose father hailed from Aruba. Two years ago at the age of 16, Halman was named the Dutch Professional League’s MVP, and nearly won the triple crown playing in a league full of guys in their mid-20s. Halman is currently playing in the Northwest league, where he’s the league’s youngest position player.
Last year, the Ms signed Italian infielder Alex Liddi out of the European academy. This year, the Ms have already signed two players on the list, South African Anthony Phillips and Netherlander Kalian Sams.
Liddi in particular, along with fellow Italian and Cubs farmhand Allesandro Maestri, appear to be hard at work popularizing baseball in Italy. Both players have set up blogs giving accounts of their experiences playing in the United States.
Liddi’s blog
Maestri’s Blog
You’re probably going to want to run those sites through Babelfish if you want to check them out.
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How [who] scouts these italian players? Dutch , I can understand, but Italians FROM Italy???
Thanks, Ry.
How many players from the academy could get signed by by a mlb team this year
Where you start isn’t always necessary where you end up and I wish you the very best in your quest for the most outstanding players of the planet. I wish I was acting as a scout for your cause.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I hear you say. But absolute determination makes all the difference in the world when one is faced with challenges since the winning formula in today’s competitive global baseball markets is not with those who are too conceited to think they have the know-how keenness of vision but with those who are prepared to master the fundamentals of the game, both, in a theoretical demeanour and a pragmatic deportment, and, of course be determined to go further than their natural boundaries, particularly, when the benefits are likely to result in valuable insights. It is a fact that an idea often belongs not necessarily to those who conceived it but to those who implement it. Nevertheless, every generation or so, there emerges a baseball player who is a little better than anybody else. It is difficult to predict who that player would be this season in Major League, though, but I believe that that player must have the capacity to excite the imagination in a way that no other player can. He must have a brave heart and be thirsty for success. I think that that player is within the capability of every member of a team, but the most important thing would be the enthusiasm for the game which ought to carry on within everyone, and that everybody is able to go beyond the basics of the game and study all the aspects of their own part in it, and practice hard to improve their performance so that he will be recognised where it counts – out there on the field of playing. The best advice I could give to such a player would be to accept nothing less than everything and try to improve their game at all levels. Yeah! winning is important in baseball, or at least playing to win is; nevertheless, success in baseball is not necessarily winning, at all cost, that counts, it is to do with the manner in which the game is played, win or lose; sometimes the most important thing is not only to be talented but to be able to transfer that natural ability into competitive games, too. Still, baseball’s phenomenal growth can be attribute to many factors, however, one of the most important is the enjoyment that the game has generated for its participants and fans, particularly young ones. In fact, baseball for those who play, or have played is much more than a game; it is a way of life bred on comradeship, attitude, skill and being part of the team, both on and off the field. One certainly does not need to be born with the physical make-up of a Roman gladiator to play baseball neither does one need to be an academic to appreciate its conception and its peculiarities since there is a home in baseball for everyone, of every creed, from any walk of life as the game caters for all kinds of people, young and old, extrovert and introvert.
All in baseball,
Pedro Figueras
The Aim and Growth of Baseball in Africa,United Kingdom, mainland Europe and the rest of the world need to be monitored closely since natural ability is a commodity these days. I want I want to be part of these monitoring by scouting for these commodities.
I am having a wonderful dream that must be made reality”.In a competition like the World Series, both, a team and an individual must demonstrate their ability to play baseball to the maximum of their capability in order to win the highest prize in World baseball. Indeed, that much is true. Nevertheless, baseball is not all about being a Major League baseball player; it is about something else, it is about educating our young sportsmen to become better citizens so that they can compete in equal terms with everyone else in the market place and in life as a whole. It is about applying real focus on something constructive, like building bridges in the community through co-operation, using the power of sport to help tackle issues such as improving health and fitness, developing education for young people, and by working together in partnership or as part of a team in order to make a visible difference to people’s lives. At a time when the world is blighted by a not cool to be clever attitude with a growing number of children failing to meet the academic requirement needed to be socially successful the need for stressing the moral values prescribed by society has never been so weighty. There is wisdom in taking an interest in what is going on in the world and by making this dream I am having into a reality I hope to offer a breath of fresh air to the world and its social issues by opening a window of learning to everyone. Absolutely, I care for the world and its social issues and I think that it would be selfish if we said that it had nothing to do with us just simply because it does not affect us; on the contrary, I think we should always help when there is a problem in the world and give its misery a well-needed touch of guidance.
Pedro Figueras
Head Coach
Figueras Baseball Academy
Training the young ones to shine in the dark by giving them a helping hand in their quest for brilliancy is my pursuing.
“Voluntarily one can sit on the sidelines out of side or one can stand up and be counted. Like everything in life, the choice about success is almost entirely in one’s hands. So my advice to the young ones is to go all out find and grab it with both hands now”.
There is a huge gap between talent and mediocrity in baseball and I am presently working very hard to reduce that gap. Still, from the coaching point of view, this issue of Training the young stars to shine in the dark has given me the focus and encouragement I needed to rope myself and the rest of the coaching staff into shouldering an onus that is clearly ours to deal with. Indeed, a fast ball, a nasty breaking curve and a dip sinker are required to be a star pitcher; however, far too often, the most important thing is not only being talented but being able to transfer that talent into competitive games since a successful baseball team can only be measured by the confidence a discipline of its players; furthermore, winning is a habit which is only acquired when confidence flourished in a team. Having said that the players must work very hard to integrate and do what is asked of them since only discipline and repetitious training will ensure the future and success of my enterprise. Indeed, I, as coach, have a responsibility to fulfil and my aim is to keep the players together and keep the spirit high at all time by working hard and with a purpose in mind so that everyone can make genuine progress.
Pedro Figueras
Head Coach
Figueras Baseball Academy
Training the young ones to shine in the dark by giving them a helping hand in their quest for brilliancy is my pursuing.
“Voluntarily one can sit on the sidelines out of side or one can stand up and be counted. Like everything in life, the choice about success is almost entirely in one’s hands. So my advice to the young ones is to go all out find and grab it with both hands now”.
There is a huge gap between talent and mediocrity in baseball and I am presently working very hard to reduce that gap. Still, from the coaching point of view, this issue of Training the young stars to shine in the dark has given me the focus and encouragement I needed to rope myself and the rest of the coaching staff into shouldering an onus that is clearly ours to deal with. Indeed, a fast ball, a nasty breaking curve and a dip sinker are required to be a star pitcher; however, far too often, the most important thing is not only being talented but being able to transfer that talent into competitive games since a successful baseball team can only be measured by the confidence and discipline of its players; furthermore, winning is a habit which is only acquired when confidence flourished in a team. Having said that the players must work very hard to integrate and do what is asked of them since only discipline and repetitious training will ensure the future and success of any enterprise. Indeed, I, as coach, have a responsibility to fulfil and my aim is to keep the players together and keep the spirit high at all time by working hard and with a purpose in mind so that everyone can make genuine progress.
Pedro Figueras
Head Coach
Figueras Baseball Academy
Pedro, where is your academy? I couldn’t find the information on your website.
Hi jhelfgott,
A very warm Welcome to you. Our motto is: “Learning is for life and the price is a good education”.
“One can sit on the sidelines out of side or one can stand up and be counted. Like everything in life, the choice about success is almost entirely in one’s hands. So it is up to the individual to go in search of it and when he finds it grab it with both hands and grip it firmly”.
Indeed, there is a huge gap between talent and mediocrity in baseball and at Figueras Baseball Academy, we are presently working very hard to reduce that gap. Still, from the coaching point of view, this issue has given me the focus and encouragement I needed to rope myself and the rest of the coaching staff into shouldering an onus that is clearly ours to deal with.
Anyhow, I would like to express my thanks to you on behalf of the Academy for taking an interest in the work we are doing in the United Kingdom, particularly in the South East of London. I hope that a gust of wind blow you in our direction one day so that we can talk about the untapped talent which exist in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. Alas, I have not the resources to scout the country for people who have the natural ability to play baseball and whom one day might be good enough to play Major League. Albeit, I have the knowledge and know-how to exploit those aptness I don’t have the economical resources to pursue such a course of action. Nevertheless, I am determined to carry on coaching the skills needed to be a good baseball player to those who seek that sort of help since I think it would be a mistake if I were to give up my coaching baseball to kids and those who need to be coached, and found some way to be glad of what I had accomplished so far for it would only serve to constrain their and my ambitions, expectations and desire for success. I could not do that sort of thing in a million years since my appetite is not just for fine food, fellowship and finery in life,… I am hungered for challenges too.
Benvidos,Benvenuti,Benvenuto,Bemvindo,Benvinutu,Benvingut,Benvinguts,
Bienvenidos,Bienvenue,Bonvenon,Bunvenit,Dobropozhalovat’,Fàilte,Irashaimasu,Huan yin,Hwangyonghamnida,Mensooree,Kalosorisate,Oso oseyo,Sveiki,Swaagat,Tervetuloa,Välkommen,Velkomin,Walcome,Welkom,Wëllkomm,
Willkommen,Witajcie.
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Figueras Baseball Academy 2006 HQ
12 Mowbray Road
Upper Norwood
London
SE19 2RG
Traininig Grounds at :
Crystal Palace National Sport Centre in London – UK and Roundshaw in Croydon-UK.
Winter Training takes place at Crystal Palace National Sport Centre in London.
Summer Training takes place at Roundshaw in Croydon.
I purposely chose and launched the academy in South East London in 2006, to be the pioneering region for breaking new ground in baseball, for its proximity to the Crystal Palace National Sport Centre. The academy is committed to expanding its teams with people who have the ability to help its members succeed fully in achieving their objectives, which will, of course, make the academy approach welcomed by all concerned. In simplest terms the academy has developed a comprehensive programme and training methology which will ensure the standard of coaching to be consistent, in all, attitude, passion, drive, enthusiasm, training outcomes and above all self-belief. The academy is thirsty for success and committed to a course of action which will allow its members to enjoy baseball as a recreational sport. Yeah! At Figueras Baseball Academy, we believe in applying real focus on something constructive, like building bridges in the community through co-operation, using the power of sport to help tackle issues such as improving health and fitness, developing education for young people, and by working together in partnership or as part of a team in order to make a visible difference to people’s lives. We also belive that it is mighty important to include the parents by coaching them and assist, encourage and support them in finding answers to the many questions they may have about baseball as a recreational sport since this coaching would give parents the focus and encouragement needed to rope themselves into shouldering a responsibility that is clearly theirs and ours to deal with.
The academy also welcomes anyone else who would like to volunteer his services.
Our aim is to form a number of youth and senior teams that can compete in the Baseball UK South East League and to encourage other local areas to consider forming baseball clubs.
Help us to help others
Sponsorship Opportunities
We are seeking sponsorship to allow us to meet our objectives and to ensure that the academy remains active and achieving the desired results.
Yeah! Once more, we are on the lookout for anyone who may be interested in sponsoring the academy. If you would like any information on this please visit the academy page: http://www.spanglefish.com/Figueras/or contact us mailto:pedrofigueras@aol.com.
All in baseball
Pedro Figueras
Croydon Pirates Baseball Club
Manager Treasurer
David Ward Steve Fullan
37,Bredon Rd 44,William Harvey House
Croydon Whitlock Drive
Surrey CRO 6JH Southfield SW19 6SQ
16 May, 2007
To whom it may concern,
This letter is to detail the coaching work that Pedro Figueroa has performed for the Croydon Pirates since 1996.
Pedro was a member of the league of the Criollitos of Venezuela and took part in five national minor league championships in Venezuela. He also represented Venezuela at international level. In those days he played alongside Manuel Sarmiento (Cincinnati Reds, Pirates and Mariners), Toribio Barbosa (Navegantes del Magallanes), Ramon Moreno (Leones del Caracas) and against Oswaldo Olivares of the Federal District, all members of the league of the Criollitos of Venezuela that managed to play professional baseball in Venezuela and Major League. He continued playing baseball in Europe and took part in three international championships in Germany and Holland representing the colours of three United Kingdom’s teams (Hounslow Rangers, Crawly Comets and Croydon Pirates). Currently, he is coaching one of Croydon Pirates teams.
Pedro joined the Croydon Pirates in 1996 as a player and coach.
Having the previous season been part of the highly successful team the London Wolves, winners of the London Tournament in 1995. Not only he was a strong player for the London Wolves but he also coached all aspects of the game of baseball to the team, which improved, both, its offense and defense considerably. Those skills he brought to the Croydon Pirates.
Spring training which was held and still is, at the Crystal Palace National Recreation Center was run by Pedro and not only did he coach his new team the Pirates, he also coached players from the London Warriors and his old team The London Wolves.
The 1996 season saw the Croydon Pirates finish joint top of the 1st Division after the regular season and Pedro’s, both, playing and coaching skills were very significant to the success of the club.
Pedro has been a strong influence over the proceeding seasons and contributing to the general success of the Croydon Pirates. He has coached players from all of our 3 teams. Our 1st team having been National Champions in 2004/2005, with close runners up for 2006.With the 2nd team being Premier champions in 2005. In 2007 Pedro received an award for outstanding contribution to the Croydon Pirates Baseball Club and baseball.
In July 2006, he launched a baseball academy in London (Figueras Baseball Academy) in order to safeguard the future of baseball in the United Kingdom. The academy embraces a plan of continuous improvement where exceptionally gifted players are not the only ones to benefit from its equal opportunity principle for which the academy was conceived since great emphasis is placed on encouraging and galvanising players to succeed by celebrating achievement and promoting responsible behaviour wherever possible. The academy also believes that players achievement should be recognised and certificates are awarded to those who show willingness to learn the game of baseball. Certificates are also awarded to volunteers in recognition of consistent endeavour and participation in the academy community. The academy’s motto is as follow: Learning is for life and the price is a good education.
In 2007 Pedro attended pre season training of a Major league team in the USA, helping coach some of their up and coming young stars (Rookies).
Pedro is highly committed to coaching players and is working very hard on improving the playing skills of the players in our 3rd team at present.
Our club has always looked to improve continually and with the help of Pedro, and his wide range of coaching abilities plus knowledge of the game, we are constantly achieving that goal.
I consider Pedro Figueras to be an excellent coach as well as a former player and I fully appreciate his contribution to the overall success of the club as a whole.
Please contact me if any other information is required
Yours in sport
David Ward
Croydon Pirates General Manager
Always good to read about baseball and its players, I’ve played since a kid..
Can I ask though – how did you get this picked up and into google news?
Very impressive, is it something that is just up to Google or you actively created?
Obviously this is a popular blog with great data so well done on your seo success..
i want to play baseball to the highest of it because it a game i love with all my being as a baseball player i’m always very glad and happy when i’m on the field of baseball,so i will really want to join your academy if possible.thanks hope to hear back from you.
i want to play for your team as apitcher also a first base player and could play on the outfield.thanks i want to play.
i love baseball and i want to be part of it, my dream is to be come a major league player .i need a help cos i dont want my talent to be waest….Am a pitcher,and i play every where in field eccept catching. am leaving this comment for all the baseball player to please help and assist me assist so that baseball will not stop in my life …
i want yo be a part of your academy so as to pursue my baseball goals and dreams.and as a pitcher i really wish to join.
Be a coach, go for it, use what you know, be important and pass on your knowledge of a sport to your children. Tell them stories of your playing days, you will be surprise to know how much they’ll enjoy to hearing those old tales. The signs are right but only you will know if it feels right.
P.Figueras
Henry’s Baseball Club is Looking for European and British players who would like to try out for a Pro Independent contract in the United States of America. If you are interested in measuring your ability to play the game of baseball at a higher level this is your one in a million chance to try and impress American coaches so that you might earn a contract with a pro team in the USA. If you are interested, please, express your interest by telephoning Henry on: 781 891 0621. Alternatively, e-mail Henry at: HenrysBaseballClub@Hotmail.com. This is not an advert, it is just a helpful hint for those who believe that they have the ability to play the game of baseball at Professional level but have not had the opportunity to show their potential to those seeking future stars of the game. Who knows but if you are one those people who is capable of making good judgement and who would like to go beyond your natural boundaries Pro baseball could be your line of work in the time to come. Nothing venture nothing gain that is what I say!
You are also welcome to visit Henry’s web site at the below address:
http://henrysbaseballclub.com/
All in Baseball
P.Figueras
Head Coach
Figueras Baseball Academy
Learning is for life and the price is a good education.
AZUM EMMANUEL, I believe that it is okay to have a dream but when one is trying to build a kingdom, one doesn’t build one’s castles in the air since buildings of that sort need to be fortified and well rooted into the earth in order to make them more stable. This is the reason for my believing that a good education is the most important start in life anyone can have. The need to be prepared to face the ups and downs of good and bad luck in life and succeed in today’s world is of paramount importance and our aim in the Academy is to help everyone to achieve their maximum potential so that they can make a positive contribution to society as a whole. Indeed, I cannot promise you that I would make you a Major League Baseball player but if you have the talent I am fully convinced that I can show you the way so that you can develop your full potential and help you to accomplish your gaol. Nevertheless, you must believe in yourself and work hard towards making that dream into reality and I can assure you it is achievable but it can only be made possible by your enterprise and resolution.
Pedro Figueras
Head Coach
Figueras Baseball Academy
Learning is for life and the price is a good education.
AZUM EMMANUEL, I believe that it is okay to have a dream but when one is trying to build a kingdom, one doesn’t build one’s castles in the air since buildings of that sort need to be fortified and well rooted into the earth in order to make them more stable. This is the reason for my believing that a good education is the most important start in life anyone can have. The need to be prepared to face the ups and downs of good and bad luck in life and succeed in today’s world is of paramount importance and our aim in the Academy is to help everyone to achieve their maximum potential so that they can make a positive contribution to society as a whole. Indeed, I cannot promise you that I would make you a Major League Baseball player but if you have the talent I am fully convinced that I can show you the way so that you can develop your full potential and help you to accomplish your goal. Nevertheless, you must believe in yourself and work hard towards making that dream into reality and I can assure you it is achievable but it can only be made possible by your enterprise and resolution.
Pedro Figueras
Head Coach
Figueras Baseball Academy
I was wondering if you would be interested in sponsoring Figueras Baseball Academy.
Many thanks
Pedro Figueras
Sponsorship is wanted!
Over 5000 people visit our web site every month. That is 60000 good enough reasons per year for supporting and advertising on the academy’s web site. In addition to coaching baseball and softball Figueras Baseball Academy is interested in encouraging the learning of British English, French, Italian and Spanish Languages in Europe and the rest of the world. At Figueras Baseball Academy we are guided by a philosophy which includes, comprehensively, honesty and determination whereby we all must strive in order to accomplish our goals. Our endeavour to encourage our members’ commitment to development at the academy is so that we spur and support them to climb mountains in their quest for what they want to achieve. At the heart of this philosophy is our vision of parity where everyone’s worth and dignity is valued and equally supported, and cultural, ethnic and racial diversity is appreciated, and, of course, new ideas are encouraged and respected.
We would be very happy to hear from any potential sponsors.
You can either contact us by e-mail: pedrofigueras@aol.com
or write to us at the address below:
P. Figueras
Head Coach
Figueras Baseball Academy
12 Mowbray Road
Upper Norwood
London
SE19 2RG
02086535687
Mobile No. 07759765545
Thank you for helping us to help others!
Essex Arrows Baseball Club is after a fast hurler!
25 June 2009
——————————————————————————–
Essex Arrows
Baseball
Essex Arrows Baseball Club are looking for new players. They are most interested in enlisting the services of a seasoned pitcher to help the team stretch their position to the next level of their current excellent season which places them as leader of their division with a record of 16 wins in an equal number of outings. Should you be interested in joining the Essex Arrows do please contact the team as soon as you can by sending an email to any of the team contact names below:
Team Contacts
Luis Castro Send email
David Shaer Send email
Luke Foley Send email
Essex Arrows
Founded over 20 years ago, the Essex Arrows Baseball Club is still growing with two adult teams and a rebuilding youth team. As well as players from the UK, we have players from Venezuela, Japan, USA, New Zealand, Italy, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Canada and Saudi Arabia. We are truly a cosmopolitan team!
Check out Essex Arrows history at:
http://www.essexarrows.com/History.htm