European Big League Tour Players support IBAF Olympic Reinstatement Campaign

13/11/2011

Parma (Italy) – November 12, 2011 was a big day for over 400 young baseball players in Italy, as the European Big League Tour stopped in Parma bringing a number of Major League Baseball stars to town in order to spend some hours on the field with the kids.

Parma (Italy) – November 12, 2011 was a big day for over 400 young baseball players in Italy, as the European Big League Tour stopped in Parma bringing a number of Major League Baseball stars to town in order to spend some hours on the field with the kids.

EBLT is an initiative created and promoted by Baltimore Orioles Dutch pitcher Rick Van den Hurk for the purpose of putting the youth in touch with those who made it to the big leagues and can testify that hard work and strong will are the necessary tools that can make us reach any goal in life.The tour is supported by the Major League Baseball Players Association, represented by 6-time All-Star third baseman Bobby Bonilla.

The participant players, beside VandenHurk were: Roger Bernadina (Washington Nationals), Dexter Fowler (Colorado Rockies), Greg Halman (Seattle Mariners), Adam Jones (Baltimore Orioles), Mike Stanton (Miami Marlins) and Milwaukee Brewers star first baseman Prince Fielder.

The pre-clinic press conference gave the organizers the opportunity to present to the guest players the IBAF 2020 Olympic Reinstatement campaign, enthusiastically welcomed by the Major Leaguers, who immediately wore the official wristbands representing the efforts of the international baseball to re-enter the Games program.

“For players like me” said Van den Hurk “who come to MLB from countries other than US, the internationality of baseball is a very important issue. I believe that, beside the experience of Major League, participating in the Olympic Games, representing your country, is for sure the most intense experience you can live as an athlete and a baseball player. But I am also sure this statement can easily apply to all those who play the game, Major League included. I hope this experience of the European Big League Tour will develop even more and will help as much as possible this international baseball campaign for Olympic reinstatement.”

(The European Big League Tour was held for a second straight year. After visiting only the Netherlands and Belgium in 2010, the Major Leaguers also visited the Czech Republic and Italy this year. The 2011 edition also featured stops in Utrecht, Amsterdam and Prague.)