Ronnie's Odessa Baseball Project

[Ronnie]

Today, I post this message on my facebook page...entitled Baseball for Ukraine..and I want to post it here too...

Well, 2011 is coming to a end. This project has gotten off the ground and we're looking forward to 2012. I want to thank all of you for your encouragement and moral support and especially the following individuals for their material support:

Lanny Ropke, Greg (Viking), David Fantin, Jeff Monks, Chris Claypool of the Simplot Corporation, Dale Cors, Billy Casteneda, Duf Sfreddo, Tom Giffen, Judy Knight Baker, William M Sturgeon, Vaughn, Jim Teeter, Alex330 from Florida, Max Creel, GQ Blues, Philip Coffman, Viktor Moshinsky, Gyorgi Gusak and Mobob. (If I missed anyone, please let me know..this is all from memory).

More than thirty boxes of equipment and uniforms have arrived from the United States this year and five teams have been formed and equipped in Odessa. PONY Baseball has sanctioned a league in Ukraine for the 2012 season. We hope to send a team from Ukraine to the PONY European Championships in Prague.

We have made slow but steady progress on our field in Odessa but it remains a work in process. During the winter we are forming a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with myself, Chad Liddle and Jack Quinn as the organizing directors. The name of the organization is the Youth of Ukraine Phoenix Project. We hope to add other directors in the months ahead.

Ukraine has great potential but is burdened by many problems. Those problems can only be resolved by the younger generation of future leaders and responsible citizens. The youth of Ukraine holds much goodwill toward the United States. We hope to validate and enlarge upon that friendship.

In 2012, we will begin to coach the kids more in English and try to hold separate English classes for our young athletes. We will play more games..hopefully two-a-week in Odessa and continue to emphasize the value of good sportsmanship, clean living, hard work and honesty - not only in sports but in every facet of their lives.

Wish us good luck!

Best wishes to all of you and thank you for your continued support.

Merry Christmas,

-Ronnie

[Gator]

Ronnie,
 
 
 
You are indeed an ambassador.

[Ronnie]

Thanks Gator....come join me!

[Ronnie]

Wow!


It's hard to believe it's already the last day of the year. Time has literally flown.  I want to thank those who have been supportive of this project  David Fantin, whom I met last June at the Ukraine Little League Championship tournament, has been a avid supporter of my project here in Odessa.  David has supported this effort though his Global Sports Foundation charity.  His foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization so donations made today will be deductible for 2011 taxes.  Please consider clicking the link below and supporting his efforts.  If you request that your donation goes to support my program, I'm sure he will honor that request


 Right now our greatest and most pressing need is to bring in topsoil so we can completely level the deep infield and outfield area of our baseball field.  I have the seed ready to sow and need to do it before the snow falls.  Here's the link that should take you directly to the Global Sports Foundation 'donate' page.
 
http://globalsportsfoundation.org/donate-money.htm


Thank you all for your support and kindness.


-Ronnie

[Ronnie]

Hey, well, it's baseball season again! 


After hibernating over the winter the boys are coming out to play again!  Today we practiced in in light drizzle but it didn't dampen the enthusiasm any.

This year we'll be playing more games among ourselves, and continuing to slowing improve the field.

Anyone planning a trip to Odessa is certainly welcome to come check us out.

-Ronnie

[LAman]

Hi Ronnie...I will keep you in mind next time i am in Odessa maybe in next few months. I would like to see what you have going on there. I forgot about you when I was there in last October. You have a wonderful cause there.

[Faux Pas]

Good Luck Ronnie!

Maybe ixnay the slowing improvement on the field from the training regiment though 

[Ronnie]

Good Luck Ronnie!

Maybe ixnay the slowing improvement on the field from the training regiment though 

One of things I'll never understand about getting older is how my mind can think one word, while my fingers type a similar, but incorrect, word automatically.  The field is SLOW-LY improving! 

Broke out the push lawn mower yesterday.  It was so hot, the boys didn't last long.  The grazing animals are a mixed blessing...they help keep the grass short but chew up the ground. 

Thank you all for your support and encouragement.  Here's a link to our website..  I need to take pictures of the Red Sox, Rays and Rockies and get them posted.

http://baseball.kb.ua/commands/?id=49

-Ronnie
I'll have to talk to the babushka who grazes and ask her what can be done..

[Faux Pas]

Looking good and looks as if things are coming together. I'd be interested in more pics when you get them

[gabrielly]

Oh,I love Odessa!I want to go there!who with me?)

[LAman]

Oh,I love Odessa!I want to go there!who with me?)

Yes, Odessa is my kind of town...especially around the beaches!!
I should be there again late summer.....
but may I suggest some quality time with your special man after August 9? 

[Faux Pas]

Yes, Odessa is my kind of town...especially around the beaches!!
I should be there again late summer.....
but may I suggest some quality time with your special man after August 9? 

You can find Ronnie in Odessa and contribute. Money or time I am positive he would cherish either one.

[LAman]

You can find Ronnie in Odessa and contribute. Money or time I am positive he would cherish either one.

Yes FP.....I will , Just sorry I did not get in touch with Ronnie last October. There is always a spot in my heart for kids and the elderly.....

[Faux Pas]

Yes FP.....I will , Just sorry I did not get in touch with Ronnie last October. There is always a spot in my heart for kids and the elderly.....

That's great LA! Ronnie is doing some good things there and can use all he can get. You can contact him before you leave and there might be some simple things he could use that you could help with 

I'm a sucker for kids wanting to learn baseball

[Ronnie]

This summer has been much more uncomfortable than last.  The kids (and coach) have been lethargic and many have been skipping altogether. Others are spending the summer with grandma. 
Tuesday we had a reprieve from the heat and humidity and our numbers improved noticeably.
A team from Moscow is is Illyichevsk for a baseball/beach vacation.  Some of our Odessa kids have been going there to participate each morning.