IsraelCast Episode 118
From long shots to Olympians, Team Israel baseball is currently on a remarkable Cinderella run. After much success during three qualification tournaments, Team Israel won the Africa / Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament thus securing them as the first Israeli National Team since 1976 to qualify for an Olympic team competition. One man who has helped with the rise of popularity of baseball in Israel and Team Israel's recent accomplishments is Team Israel's General Manager, Peter Kurz. IsraelCast host, Steven Shalowitz, welcomes Peter to the show to discuss the players' stories and why they joined Team Israel, the pride of being associated with Team Israel, and how you can show your support as they head to Tokyo to compete for a gold medal.
Peter Kurz is the General Manager for Team Israel, as they head to the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and the World Baseball Classic. He is the former President of the Israel Association of Baseball, serving for 6 years, in addition to 8 years as Secretary General. Originally from New York, Peter has lived in Israel for over 30 years and has been volunteering to develop the game of baseball in Israel for more than 20 years, managing ten Israeli national teams overseas, and working as a coach and manager. He has helped the Israel Association of Baseball grow from a small group of enthusiastic olim to a movement across the country, running both elite academies and little leagues, while focusing on its mission of teaching children how to work together while having fun. Peter’s day job is as a free-lance Marketing and Export Consultant, working with a multitude of Israeli companies to advance their exports overseas, primarily to North American markets.
This July (2021), Team Israel will take 24 players to Tokyo, Japan for the Olympic games and YOU can be the 25th player. The 2021 Olympics will be an explosive return to normalcy for the entire world. We’ll be there. And you, our fans, will be with us. In the dugout. On the field. At opening ceremonies. Support Team Israel and help us get to Tokyo and win a medal. Be the 25th player and support the Israel Baseball Team as we prepare for the Olympics. Let's get started! https://my.jnf.org/israel-baseball