Boston Exec Looks To Launch Pro Baseball League In Israel

Boston business exec Larry Baras is planning to launch a pro baseball league in Israel next year, according to Murray Chass of the N.Y. TIMES. Baras, who is Managing Dir of the Israeli Baseball League, this week will “study soccer stadiums in Israel with the thought of converting them for baseball use for what he expects to be a season of about 48 games with six teams, 20 players to a team.” But because Israel has no ballparks, Baras’ project, “especially its estimated time of arrival, may be unrealistic.” Baras: “As soon as I get some of the venues in place, we’ll go after sponsorships and start selling tickets.” Chass noted former Red Sox GM Dan Duquette will serve as Dir of Player Development, and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer will be the league’s commissioner. As advisers, Baras has Smith College sports economist Andrew Zimbalist and minor league team Owner and Yankees limited partner Marvin Goldklang. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is “also enthusiastic about the idea.” Selig: “I am 100[%] not only supportive, but I have been trying to figure out ways to make it happen.” Chass noted one of Baras’ goals in establishing the league is getting Israel into the ’09 World Baseball Classic. Baras said for a WBC team, “We would recruit some Jewish-American major leaguers and minor leaguers.” Chass noted Baras “plans to model the league on the Italian league,” in which 60% of the players are from the U.S; the “long-range plan, though, is to grow their own players” (N.Y. TIMES, 5/13).