Posted on 06/15/2004 6:27:27 AM PDT by ConservativeMajority
(Talon News) -- While politicians and diplomats are busy exporting democracy to Iraq, a group of citizens is sending the America's national pastime to children of the newly liberated country.
Corporal Bryan Post, stationed in Iraq with the First Marine Division, is coordinating the Iraqi Baseball Project (IBP). He and his fellow Marines will devote their spare time to teaching Iraqi children the game of baseball. It is one of the many little-known efforts to win the hearts and minds of the long-suffering Iraqis.
Volunteers are collecting new and used baseball equipment for shipment overseas.
Bob Taylor, a former Marine who saw active duty in Lebanon in the late 1950s and several other hotspots, is spearheading the stateside effort. He is the author of "A Few Good Memories," a light-hearted collection of Marine Corps boot camp stories.
The IBP has expanded its scope to other sports beside baseball. Equipment is being collected for softball, soccer, and football as well. Taylor said the first shipment left the United States on Monday with others to follow.
The IBP is a completely non-profit effort, with funds being collected to pay for shipping expenses and equipment purchases. Contact information is available online at www.caironet.com/Iraqi-Baseball
Copyright © 2004 Talon News -- All rights reserved.
Niether do I. Offense makes the game exciting.
The DH means there is no black hole in the lineup... and the #8 hitter's bat isn't taken out of his hands.
Lighten up, Francis....
baseball is slow and boring??? You must be one of the hundreds of kids i struck out time and time again in little league..bet you never played past the age of 8.
loser.
The Capt.
Hey... I like baseball and football because they require strategy and thinking.
Unlike basketball and hockey.
because if the grass is "slow" your infielders can get to balls in the hole that would have gone through on "fast" grass...you shouldnt comment on things you know nothing about.
The Capt.
I'm a braves fan, but I like the Brewers.
baseball IS boring to those who know nothing about it, and could never play it.
like you
The Capt.
Yeah, but in hockey we get to watch the players beat each other over the head.
I kind of like that. It sort of compensates for what these morons get paid.
In my opinion the football players don't get enough pain as pay back for their inflated salaries. They should even things out by playing on concrete - without helmets.
I know enough about it to get bored out of my skull by being subjected to it.
The only thing it has to recommend it over overe soccer is there are fewer illegals in the stadium.
Unlike you, I have better ways to spend my time.
Therefore taking base hits away from your own team, and at the same time, making double plays alot harder to turn because the ball doesn't get to the infielder as quickly.
Besides...who died and made you the all knowing baseball god?
Now, that would be considered cruel and unusual punishment. Also, consider the snobbery factor, sir!
I decided to play a sport that actually required athletic ability, like basketball.
Yeah, but just think of the practice that you could get in the sand traps ...
pashaw...couldnt hit the ball, eh?
I played basketball too...
on slow grass with double play situation, move short and 2B in ON the grass...(played 21 years, coached now for 10....always learning)
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