The IAB's National Youth Team (ages 14-16) participated in the JCC/Maccabee games in Phildaelphia, PA., on August 19-24. The experience was a fantastic one, baseball-wise, socially and Jewishly, for the 20 players, who were led by Head Coach Craig Dunning, Manager David Schenker, and Asst. Coaches Bruce Maddy-Weitzman and Leo Robbins, and co-captains Noam Kaplan and Amit Megiddo. The team had been training weekly and twice weekly since October 2000 in preparation for the Maccabiah Games in Israel in July 2001. Unfortunately, due to security concerns, the other four youth baseball teams scheduled to compete in the games canceled their participation. Fortunately, the team was able to join the JCC/Maccabee framework as a late entry, and thanks to the unswerving and devoted efforts of coaches, parents and friends of Israeli baseball, raise the necessary funds and make the required travel arrangements.
And was it worth it! The Philly games consisted of 20 different sports, for over 1,500 young athletes, from the US, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Israel, and even Poland (girls softball). Every evening was a "happening" somewhere in Philadelphia - e.g., the "Shampoo" disco, a Phillies game, the X-Games, the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Zoo - where kids got to hang out and party together. A day of "Caring and Sharing", in the best Jewish tradition of 'tzedakah," was devoted to helping thousands of underprivileged and handicapped children. The four games, two against Philly 'White', and two against Detroit, were tough, and Israel was not able to pull out a win. But it did earn the respect of players and opposing coaches alike. The pitching staff, anchored by Gilad Schenker, backed by Daniel Maddy-Weitzman, Netanel Levenson, Amir Yakira, Yedidya Gros and Moshe Lewis, produced many quality innings and showed a lot of heart. Occasionally shaky defense and the repeated failure to deliver hits with men in scoring position prevented the team from notching a win or two. But there were some offensive highlights as well: Amit Megiddo batted .400, leading the team in hits, extra-base hits and RBI'S, and his mammoth .330 ft. HR left the crowd oohing and ahhing. Akiva Weisel batted .375 and shined in the field as well. Moshe Lewis led the team in On-Base Percentage with a whopping .600. Overall, it was clear that the American teams' experience gave them an important edge, and that the tournament was invaluable for the growth and development of the Israeli team. Wait 'till next year! One final word - our kids drew rave reviews for their sunny dispositions and impeccable conduct. They represented themselves, the IAB, and the State of Israel with honor.