Modi’in and the Mets – two miracles

July 19, 2007 - 3:08 PM by David Brinn

I finally made it to my first Israel Baseball League game last night at Kibbutz Gezer where the Modi’in Miracle played the Tel Aviv Lightning.

baseball

I was surprised by the high caliber of play, both on the field and at bat, as the teams, playing the second of a grueling doubleheader in the Mediterranean summer, seemed to be giving their all. Especially Modi’in slugger Eladio Rodriguez, who hit two homers including a grand slam, and earned from our small section of rooters the new monicker E-Rod.

As impressive as the play was, the surroundings were as laid back and informal as only Israel can be. It was more like attending a Little League game. We had to look for someone to buy tickets from (he turned out to be my friend Eitan who was running the baseball accessory concession stand), you could pretty much sit right behind home plate or first base, the two Magen David Adom teenage girls who sung ‘Hatikva’ (yes, not the Star Spangled Banner) at the beginning of the game forgot the words, the scoreboard was changed by hand, and the boom box playing the between inning music kept skipping.

But it all added to the unpretentious quality – made more evident when between the fourth and fifth innings, Modi’in manager Art Shamsky (from the ’69 Miracle Mets) came out of the dugout, through the gate, and sauntered over to the snack bar to buy a popsicle.

After the game, the players who had mostly changed into shorts and sandals, signed autographs for the kids and kibitzed with anyone who wanted to talk. The small crowd of about 150 enjoyed a pleasant, inexpensive evening out, and got to see some decent baseball. These guys could be on to something. Now they just have to get some Israelis out to the games.

Tags: • Category: General, Israeliness, Life, Pop Culture, Sports 

Comments

3 Comments on Modi’in and the Mets – two miracles

  1. Rattling The Kettle on Thu, Jul 19th 2007 6:34 PM

    2. That sounds like a fun time. Meanwhile, I’ll be paying $20 *just for parking* at tonight’s Mets-Dodgers game.

  2. David All on Thu, Jul 19th 2007 11:44 PM

    3. It does sound a lot like a Little League game with a real easy-going atmosphere. Reminds me of the local Little Legue ballpark across the street from where my family lived when I was in High School and where my parents still live today.
    Do not know how much publicity Israeli baseball has gotten in Israel, but it has certainly gotten a lot here in the US.

  3. Dina on Fri, Jul 20th 2007 8:08 AM

    4. The games sometimes have many hundreds. Sometimes less. Daytime games when people are often to be found working the games are much emptier.

    Last nite at Gezer there were some kids from Birthright there. I have to think they had a more meaningful and memorable experience looking at the hills of King Solomon beyond second base than they would at a bar. They all seemed to have a wonderful time

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