Ronnie's Odessa Baseball Project

[Ronnie]

I've been reporting on this project in the "married" section but maybe this will be a better place for my reports.


To summarize, I came to Odessa in late February with the intent to stay here long term, live on my pension and small income from a consulting business and to use my 50+ years of baseball experience and 9 years of speaking Russian everyday to accomplish some measure of good.  We hear all the time about how the Ukrainian/Russian men who are responsible and good family men are so few and far between such that the women must search beyond the borders of their own country to start a family.  I reasoned that these problems with the men might be starting when they are young and maybe baseball could help them feel better about themselves, learn the value of team work and know that in order to achieve a goal, hard work is required.


In May, a small group of 6 boys aged 9-13 started tossing the ball around with me in a park behind an orphange known as Internat #4 in a working class neighborhood not far from Odessa's airport.


The number of kids grew to more than fifty before school let out and throughout the summer our 4-a-week practices are sparsely and sporadically attended to other summer activities.


I began posting updates and photos on a facebook group known as "Baseball for Ukraine' and any RWD members are welcome to join that group if the project interests them.  Indeed some RWD members have been immensely supportive...One RWD member brought me a bag of used equipment from his hometown little league, and another brought lettering material to Odessa, and others have contributed by sending donations via paypal or directly paying the shipping company (Meest) for shipping invoices so we can get the equipment we need shipped.  My own financial commitment has been in the form of EBay purchases of equipment which the sellers ship to Meest in New Jersey who repackages and ships them to me here in Odessa.


Fast forwarding to yesterday, August 6th, the 13-15 year-olds travel with me to the neighboring town of Illichivsk play play their first game (albeit more of a scrimmage) with the Illichivsk team make up of kids with several years of competitive experience.  We didn't score due to our only getting one or two hits but it seems I've stumbled upon a very naturally talented pitcher who struck out the side in his first ever inning of competition.  Final score 4-0 but a wealth of experience was gained.  My sense is that some of the kids will be more enthusiastic after having taken the field in uniform for the first time while other may have come to a different conclusion and decided baseball is not for them.  This week's practices will answer those questions.


Here are two anecdotes from the day which I have posted on the facebook page...



We gathered at out park behind the internat at 07.30. Our head count was only 7. One kid didn't answer his phone so a search party was sent to fetch him..they brought him in with the explanation that he overslept. The ninth kid was sitting on a bench about 75 yards away, sobbing because his unemployed mother didn't have the UAH 21 for the bus fare to Illichivsk. The other kids suggested everyone chick in for him but I intervened, concerned that his family might be used to living on welfare handouts. Instead, I offered to pay his fare if he would promise to spend two hours pulling weeds on our field before next weekend. He agreed and ran home to get his shoes. Now, we'll see if he follows through.
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[/size]At 08.00 we hopped on a fairly crowed minibus to take us to the station where we would catch another bus to Illichivsk. One of our kids, who has a habit of ridiculing and name calling others, started in on one of his team mates...(the same one who had to run home for his shoes). Before I could say anything, the babuska sitting nest to him lit into him big time. After she brought him to his knees, she changed tone 180 degrees and began asking him about his team, the sport of baseball, [/color]
[/size]etc. I think she was VERY effective, though this kid remains a work-in-progress.[/color]


I'll continue posting in this Trip Reports thread, if there are no objections..


Ronnie

[alex330]

Keep up the good work Ronnie. The world could use more people like you.  Was good to meet you.

[Ronnie]

Thanks, Alex.  And, the same to you.  Your generous help and support has been very important to baseball program here.

[Vaughn]

Ronnie, wow, great job - I just now started reading your thread in the Married section that hopped over to Trip Reports....
 
1) Facebook shows your group is Closed (to membership) - is that true?
 
2) Could you repost that link where one can contribute to the shipping of supplies?
 
3) Would the players be interested in any instructional DVDs (I realize that PAL is their likely format) regarding hitting, fielding, strategy, etc ?

[Ronnie]

Hi Vaughn,


Thanks for your interest in this project.  The group being "closed" just mean that only member of it can read it.  I decided to do that because a couple of the players have internet and are on facebook.  I didn't want them to be privy to my thoughts as I post them.


As to the shipping cost donations, I have stopped using the link because the money was going to "Pitch in For Baseball". and then they called Meest to pay the invoices as they are readied.  PIFB was happy to do the first few, but after that claimed to have not agreed to a longer arrangement.  Also, their promise of an equipment donation never materialized so I just decided to not depend on them anymore.  Instead, donors can just call Meest directly.  I'll post some information on that later today, right now I'm off to the hardware store to buy some stuff to rig our backstop netting, then off to practice.  I'll try to remember to take some photos today and post them.


Anything baseball related is great.  But don't send them all the way to Ukraine, it's too expensive.  Send them to Meest in New Jersey and that add it to the next box going out.  I do need a tracking number or senders' information in order for Meest to identify it.


Again, I'll post more later today...


-Ronnie

[Ronnie]

Ooops, I'm a little late posting "more later today" but I'm up late tonight because I'm exhilarated!  Tonight the first load of golden river sand was delivered and we got about have of it spread before dark.  We did the home plate circle and the first and third base to home base paths.  We even got a start on the area between second and third before it got too dark.  We (some of the kids and I) decided to get back at it in the morning so we can have a half-way presentable field for hour guests from Illichivsk when the come to Odessa Saturday morning for our second scrimmage game.


We so much of my attention focused on the field construction, I've not been getting my invitations out to friends who want to assist.  Meest America shows I have 11 shipments ready to send or already on the way.  So here goes, for anyone who want to chip in.  The procedure at this point is to call Meest at 1-800-288-9949. (Best if you ask for Lesya).  Tell her you'd like to help with shipping baseball supplies to Odessa and give her the shipment number(s) you are prepared to cover.


Here's a few to consider:


CV042584740US Contains 24 pairs of new molded cleats that I bought on EBay for a total of $54...just over $2 per pair! Also in the box are some baseball pants, but I don't remember how many.  Package weighs about 49 lbs...cost of shipment...$48.55
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[/size]CV042553115US Contains catchers' chest protectors and batting helmets.  It's a fairly light package at 29 lbs...cost...$36.91[/color]
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[/size]CV042534505US..Contains 21 pairs of pants that I bought for under a dollar/pair, a dozen 11-inch softballs to help get a girls softball team started and 14 Navy jerseys with Red/white trim that I plan to make into Red Sox jerseys for a second team in the 7-9 year-old age group.  Weighs 30 lbs...cost...$40.38[/color]
[/size][/color]
[/size]CV042602749US..Oh, this is a good one! Lot's of stuff!  A used but snazzy Rawlings AVT Red/black batting helmet I picked up for under $10 delivered, a couple of fielders gloves in great condition, several used bats for the 13-15 group, a dozen or so embroidered White Sox jersey patches that will look awesome on black shirts, about 90 youth belts I got from Sports Authority's website (bought all they had left at the price of only $0.87 each) and a assortment of cleats.  The cleat assortment includes 7 pair sent to me by a lady in Hurricane, Utah, who makes extra money buying stuff at thrift shops and then selling them on Ebay.  She had advertised two pair and I bought them.  When I told her who they were for, she offered to scour the thrift stores for more and sell them to me at her cost which was about $2/pair...she found 5 more pair....Weight 45 lbs/ cost $52.71[/color]

[font='trebuchet ms', helvetica, arial, sans-serif][/size]The last one I'll list in this post is [/font]CV042604118US...  This is the lowest cost shipment that's ready to go.  Apart from sever pairs of used baseball shoes, the box hold several catchers mask straps as I had separately picked up some new masks without straps for $2 each...the straps cost me a little more than the masks!  The main items are 9 pairs of used gray pants and 20 green Tampa Bay Rays jerseys in assorted youth sizes...weight ..19 lbs...cost $25.33[/font][/color]
[/size][/color]
[/size]There are six more, as I mentioned but I won't take up space listing them..anyone interested can call Lesya and ask her to reference any of the above numbers and she can bring up all eleven invoices.[/color]
[/size][/color]
[/size]Thanks to everyone who has contributed and may in the future..My ebay purchases have dropped to a trickle for now...gotta save my money for grass seed, and a 20-inch push lawn mower.  I might even look into the cost of digging a well on the site in order to irrigate a little in the droughty times.[/color]
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[/size]Gotta get to bed,  big day tomorrow[/color]

[font='trebuchet ms', helvetica, arial, sans-serif][/size]-Ronnie[/font]

[font='trebuchet ms', helvetica, arial, sans-serif]http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2246461011075.130720.1534659026&type=1[/font][/color]

[Ronnie]

History was made today, August 13, 2012.  A baseball game was played in  Odessa for the first time.  The 13-15 year old team from Illichivsk defeated the team from Odessa by a score of 15-10.  The game was watched by about 30-40 people..some parents, some friends of players and 2 or 3 kids  who had dropped out a month or two ago and now want to know if they can re-join the program now that they see what baseball is about.


Pastor Mark Priem, a former pro prospect who has lived 17 years, nearly all his adult life, in Odessa umpired the game.  Thanks to everyone whose support made this day possible.


-Ronnie

[Gator]

Ronnie, you are a good man. 

[Faux Pas]

Good going Ronnie! That is great news.


Ironically enough, the Little League WS is going on now. Keep in mind it got started the same way, one kid at a time.


I know what you are doing on FB but it wouldn't hurt to post a pic or two here.

[mobob]

Hey Ronnie, that's AWESOME! Just saw the work photos. My condolenced to Team Odessa, but still, well played kids!

[Ronnie]

Mobob, 
No condolences necessary as they played competitively despite having only one game of prior experience and only a few months of contact with the game.  I was pleased with that.  What I want to see in them more than improved baseball skills, is improved ability to get along with each other, not explode (or sulk) when things don't go there way and not blame others for their own mistakes.  The Illichivsk kids have learned those things through baseball or through good parenting, or both.

[GQBlues]

Hey Ronnie-
 
I just wanted to stop by and give my congrats and appreciation for what you're doing out there! It's good for these kids to have a 'positive' addiction, like team sports.
 
The cracking of the Louiseville Slugger always bring memories of early summer mornings at the batting cages back in high school for me.
 
Good job, man!!

[Ronnie]

It's Sunday night and we just had about 1 1/2 hours of rain.  Great timing as it should help settle the sand into the soil.  Looks like to finish the job, I'll need another two truckloads of that glorious golden-colored stuff.  The soil is really quite good...nearly black silt and clay mix.  The Boston Ivy seeds I planted a few days ago should really like the conditions now.


I'm toying with the idea of a well.  According to some online research I did, the water table here could be a little as 3 meters and a gasoline powered pump is only about$200 delivered.  I just need to figure out where to get a post hole digger with extensions and see what happens.


I wrote that I was not going through Pitch in For Baseball any more for the shipping donations, but if any of you really need their automated tax receipt service, rather than a direct payment to Meest, you can still make a donation at http://www.active.com/donate/pifb/baseballforukraine


Thank you all for your support.  Sometimes I think I may have taken on just a bit more than I can handle but you guys make help me to keep moving forward.  I believe that if there is just one young man in Odessa who will become a better husband, father and community member because of his involvement with baseball, then all will be worthwhile. 


-Ronnie

[Ronnie]

Today, the Odessa D-Backs (13-15 yo) played their third game against the Illichivsk Dolphins.  Odessa has been getting stronger each game and at one point led 11-5.  But the Dolphins came back to win 12-11 proving there is just no substitute for experience.


As an interesting footnote, two girls, Katya and Natasha (both 13) played with the D-Backs today.  The boys moaned when I announced they were on the roster and would play.  It was the girls' first real game experience other than intra-squad scrimmages.  Well, they silence the boys by scored 3 of the 11 runs and not striking out even once.  The opposing pitchers did not let up even after plunking Katya in her first at bat.  It seems the plunking made both girls all the more determined to hang tough and produce.


As a footnote to the footnote: There are about 6 or 7 girls in this age group coming to practice.  Each time I suggest we form a girls softball team, the beat me down saying, "No, we want to play baseball!" 


And, if I may add yet a third footnote...(one which I did not post on Facebook today):  I am starting to understand better a strange phenomenon: I seems to me that Odessa's females are mentally tougher than the males.  When the boys get plunked, they roll on the ground and whimper like European soccer players.  Katya took one pretty square to the back and, though it hurt for sure, she didn't let it show.


Ronnie

[Faux Pas]

Today, the Odessa D-Backs (13-15 yo) played their third game against the Illichivsk Dolphins.  Odessa has been getting stronger each game and at one point led 11-5.  But the Dolphins came back to win 12-11 proving there is just no substitute for experience.

Good going Ronnie. Once you teach them how to play the natural progression is teaching them how to win 

[Ronnie]

Good going Ronnie. Once you teach them how to play the natural progression is teaching them how to win 

The lesson today was that the excitement of baseball is a close score.  I have said for as long as I can remember playing the game that I enjoy the experience of losing by one run more than winning by 15.  Today was transitional game - they now have a grasp of the rules and how the game is played and the importance of thinking ahead so they are ready for each play when it happens.


I think it was 1st baseman Prince Fielder the other day who, with bases loaded and one out, got a sharp ground ball hit right at him.  He had several options: 3-2-3 double play; a 3-6-3 or a 3u, 3-6 play all of which would have required throwing "around" a runner.  Instead, he stepped on the bag and threw a strike to the catcher who tagged out the sliding runner trying to score.  All was done almost instinctively and without hesitation.  People sometimes don't understand how much split second decision making is involved in the game.  As Yogi Berra says, "Baseball is 90 percent mental...the other half is physical."


Ronnie

[Ronnie]

Yesterday was the second day at the newly-added venue in the Cheryomushi neighborhood of Odessa.  Three of the kids from last Thursday were there on the field early wondering if I would keep my word and show up as promised.  Of course I did and thet were ecstatic as they ran to greet me.  American Vince Vaiano was there too as he lives in the neighborhood and plays ball himself.  His presence was a big help as Viktor, who is trying appear to show interest in the kids came much later, and I think only because I called and to him Vince was there.  Saturday, after the adults played in Illichevsk having brought some of the kids in their cars that they thought might help them in the adult game simply went home leaving the kids with no adults to watch them play against the Illichivsk Cadet team and leaving them high and dry for transportation back to Odessa.  I don't think I could imagine a more irresponsible and selfish group of adults, but that unfortunately is more the rule than the exception here.


The most common question get from locals and Americans alike is what made me decide to do this.  It's a hard question to answer, really. Sometimes fate takes over one's life and sometimes it's just a coincidence of events that makes it appear that way.  In any case, I'm glad things have gone the way they have, as I am probably happier now than at any other time in my life.  The greatest thrill is when I get off the bus and walk into the park from the far end, within seconds the kids waiting to play baseball spot me and begin calling my name as they run to greet me and carry my bag the rest of the way.  If just one of those kids, 20-30 years from now, recalls my coming into his life as having a positive influence in setting him on a better course, then I will have been well rewarded.

[/size]Some people understand, and others simply don't.  I accept that it will always be that way.

[/size]Ronnie

[Ronnie]

Last night through facebook, I chatted with a guy my age named Andy.  Maybe he's an RWD member, dunno.  Anyway, Andy lives in Kyiv and makes wood bats from Ukrainian Beech wood.  Apparently, he also build a baseball field in Sumy about 8 years ago on city property which has fallen into disrepair as the locals have not followed through on promises to maintain it.


Andy has given up on working with Ukrainians and has decided to just do his own thing and started up a group of under-12 kids last month.  I can understand his frustration and final decision.  So it seems we are running on parallel paths, working independently to build youth baseball in our respective cities.  There is another American named Jack in Dnepropetrovsk who has built a football (American) program and is now working on baseball. 


Also, last night, I received a reply to an email I sent to a seed company asking if they would donate seed.  The company director referred me to his best customer in Ukraine and rather than just referring me, he took the unusual step on contacting that customer and asked him to donate.  The customer sent me a letter last night saying he would do so and asked me to tell him what I needed.  I have learned over the years in dealing with Ukrainians, not to count any chickens before they are hatched, so we'll just wait and see what materializes.  Nevertheless, I have a good feeling about this prospect.  I'm feeling very optimistic about the direction things are going on the field construction front.


Back to the coaching front, now that vacations are over and with school starting next week, the numbers of kids coming to practice is growing again.  Last night at the Cheremushki venue there were 15 or 16 kids - more than I like to have at one session, especially this early on when so many are first-timers and I have to show them how to hold the bat or stand at the plate.  The others get bored so I need a second person to hit fly balls to them during BP.  Sadly, there is next to no adult support at present, but I am thinking about asking 14-yo Vova, the catcher for the Diamondbacks, to come and help out.  He can't get enough baseball and likes to head up drills.


Andy in Kyiv manufactures wood bats but has few gloves and balls.  We may make make a trade as even though I have now a good supply of metal bats, I would prefer the kids play with wood.   


The Cheremushki team will be the Red Sox and hopefully we'll start playing games in about two weeks if not sooner.  The Angels, the Malinovski (under- 12) team is chomping at the bit now that their older comrades, the D-Backs, are playing games regularly with the Illichivsk Dolphins.  Well, that's my report for today, more later. 


Don't want to end this entry without once again thanking the RWD members who have contributed to the equipment shipping costs.  You can't believe the goodwill that is generated when I tell them and their parents there are people in the USA who just want to help where needed.  Older people in the FSU are ever skeptical and seem to think nobody does anything out of kindness but only out of self-interest.  They have a hard time explaining away your kindness, however. 


Despite what you may read or hear in corners of the media, America's reputation is alive and well abroad - especially in Ukraine - and particularly  with the youth, which is what really counts.


Ronnie

[civi68]

Ron,

I am a friend of Rob's and he told me about your experiences. Good luck! Mike

[Ronnie]

Thank you Mike, Rob's a good guy and he says you are also. 


Well, the first venue has evolved into age groups.  The older being the Diamondbacks and they have played now 5 games against the younger but experienced team from Ilyichevsk.  D-backs are still looking for their first win but gaining valuable game experience at the same time.  Sunday morning the plan is to travel again to Illyichevsk to play a sixth game.


Then Sunday afternoon, we will make some more Odessa Baseball history, as, for the first time ever there will be a game in Odessa between two Odessa teams.  The Angels from the first venue will play their first ever game and their opponent will be the Red Sox, the newest team, from the second venue.  The Angels will consist of a wider age range... 7-12 while the Red Sox will be mostly in the 10-12 range but with less practice experience. It will be interesting to see how they match up. 


It's be a coach-pitch scrimmage because it's still too early to sort out the pitchers.  The Red Sox seem to have more talented kids but that could just be because of their age.  One kid, Vadim, is a real prospect.  He's a right handed thrower who swings lefty.  His swing is a thing of beauty.  Then their Dima, who has a natural home run swing.  There are two sets of brothers, which is unusual.  The youngest of the four brother, Sasha is barely 10 but is clearly the most gifted player I've seen to date.  He's a lefty thrower and hitter.


Culturally, I've noticed that the kids at the second venue are better mannered that the kids at the first...I think there is more parental involvement.  It could also be the age. 


Oh, one more thing, I gave out the the Angels uniforms yesterday and we played a little 6-on-6 intrasquad game.  They kept their uniforms on during the practice and the excitement level was noticeably elevated.  Sunday is really going to be fun!


-Ronnie

[Ronnie]

First baseball game ever in Odessa between two Odessa teams took place today.  The Under 12 Red Sox form the Cheremushki neighborhood lost 16-30 to the younger but more experienced (by two months) Angels from the Airport neighborhood.  It's good to have that first confusing game out of the way.  Actual games are the only way to learn how the rules apply to situations.


This week the seed should arrive.  170 pounds of 50/50 mix of Bluegrass and Perennial Rye were donated by Jacklin Seed.  www.jacklin.com
Weather now is perfect for seeding...highs in the 70s lows in the 50s.  I hope to seed the infield area now and the outfield in the spring.


-Ronnie

[Ronnie]

Another Saturday and another trip to Illyichevsk for the 13-15 year olds. But today was different from all the others so far: Today the D-Back tasted victory! Odessa 12, Illyichevsk Dolphins 8. The kids finally put it together on defense making plays and even catching fly balls in the outfield...on the run, no less!

[alex330]

Go Odessa! 

[Ronnie]

The Odessa 13-15 year-olds have now won their last two games.  The under 12 team (now teams) have been playing each other but did have one game with Illyichevsk recently that ended in a 7-1 defeat for the Odessa kids.


This week is a school holiday and the weather is cold but dry so we've arranged to go one last time to Ilyichevsk tomorrow and they well come to Odessa the following day.  I think this week will wrap up our outdoor practice and games for the season.  So far, we have not been able to secure a gym for winter practice. I'd just as soon take the winter off but here they have a different approach.  Typically a kid chooses one sport and trains in it all year 'round. 


I prefer the American approach of playing different sports in their season.  There are a few other American coaches sprinkled around Ukraine, so we're starting to talk about forming separate umbrella organization to cover various sports and games that are popular in the United States. 


An update of the field...after leveling, seeding and watering the infield I decided to go ahead and let the kids back on the field this year.  The grass is not established so most won't survive but the new plan is to dormant seed again just before the snows come and see what we get in the spring.


-Ronnie

[Ronnie]

On Saturday mornings, I go to a nearby English language school and conduct an "American English Club". There are a few teenagers who attend but most are middle-aged adults Ukraine does not celebrate Christmas on December 25th, but they know we do in the United States. So, today, I taught them to sing the old Christmas carol, the "Twelve Days of Christmas." By the time we got to seven swans-a-swimming they were really into it!.

Then I played a reading of Clement Clark Moore's classic 1822 poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." At the end of the hour they presented me with a gift of candy and a stuffed felt Christmas tree one of them had made.