Baseball journal: Team Ukraine competes on the international circuit

The following account was submitted to The Weekly by Basil Tarasko, the U.S.-based coach and coordinator of various clubs representing Ukraine that compete on the international baseball circuit. Mr. Tarasko has been involved in coaching and team development with baseball and softball in Ukraine since 1993. He lives in Bayside, N.Y., and was recently appointed coordinator of scouting for Eastern Europe for the Atlanta Braves.

Saturday, July 19

I flew into London, from New York with my wife, Alexandra, and my son, Andrei, for the European Junior (16-18 age group) B-pool Baseball Championship.

The 1997 Junior National Team of Ukraine consists of 15 players, six from Symferopol, six from Kyiv and three from Kirovohrad. Our roster included eight pitchers. This is very important for a short tournament. This gives our coaching staff flexibility in choosing pitchers and prevents overuse of valuable arms.

The top two finishers will qualify for Pool A competition in 1998. My responsibilities consist of coaching the team, representing Ukraine at technical meetings, and providing caps and uniforms for our players.

The team was supposed to be here by now. Unfortunately, they've only just left Kyiv. Once again, obtaining visas from the English Embassy in Kyiv was difficult. Originally the team had planned to travel by bus all the way from Kyiv, but because the bureaucratic snafu caused delays, an alternate plan had to be devised. The team is travelling from Kyiv by train to Uzhorod, and then are to be taken by car to Budapest, Hungary, where they'll catch a plane to London.

Monday, July 21

Team Ukraine finally arrived in Hull, England, where the tournament is to be held. It took the squad nearly two days to get here from the time they landed at Heathrow Airport.

They arrived in London at 10 p.m. yesterday, and the last train to Hull had already left. Our boys had to try to sleep at the airport overnight. This morning, a three-hour train ride got them to their final destination.

Our team is staying in Beverly, outside of Hull, at the Friary. Now a youth hostel, it used to be a monastery run by the Dominicans (Black Friars) established here in the 13th century.

Vasyl Habelko, head of our delegation who is from the Committee of Sports in Kyiv, is also our cook. I must say that he surely can cook well. For each meal three different boys are assigned to help in preparations. Our team is unified on the baseball diamond and in the kitchen.

Tuesday, July 22

We face Georgia in our first game. Valentyn Hryschenko pitched into the ninth inning, allowing one hit until he got tired and needed relief help from Oleksii Hlukhyi. Georgia scored three unearned runs in the ninth. Enough to give us a scare, but not enough to win. Final Score: 5-3 for Team Ukraine.

Our leading hitter: Yurii Gordee with three hits. Alexander Trokhymenko added two. Otherwise our hitting was lackluster, probably due to travel difficulties. We were also helped by many Georgian errors.

Wednesday, July 23

We go up against Israel. Two days ago they defeated Georgia 21-2. They have good hitting, but we have good pitching. Good pitching always stops good hitting.

Well, we took them apart 17-2 in a seven-inning game - the mercy rule came into effect. We jumped out to an early lead and we did not let up. Our pitching again was outstanding. Trokhymenko pitches six innings for the victory allowing three hits, one run, while striking out 11.

Our attack came to life. Leading the hit parade were Messrs. Trokhymenko, Gordee, Chornomaz and Hlukhyi, all with three hits. Mr. Gordee also had three RBIs. Today we came out swinging the bat aggressively.

Israel used Gennadii Titievskyi as a relief pitcher. Ironically, Gennadii used to live in Ukraine, in Kirovohrad, and play for our team. A few years ago his family moved to Germany and then on to Israel. Gennadii knows some of the players on our team. This must be the first time that a former Ukrainian player has pitched against Team Ukraine.

Thursday, July 24

Semi-final day. In game 1, Israel shocked host country England 19-15. In game 2, we played Poland. Hlukhyi took the mound and hurled a masterful one-hitter, striking out 12 batters. To this point Ukrainian pitchers have allowed but six hits. Tremendous accomplishment. Hlukhyi, together with Gordee, also helped to lead the hitting attack and we win 9-3.

We'll play for the European championship!

Saturday, July 26

Time to face Israel again. Mr. Hryschenko is back on the mound for us in the game for the gold medal. We jump to an early lead, but in the sixth inning, the game is interrupted due to darkness, with the score 6-2 for Ukraine. Closing ceremonies are held without a winner.

Yesterday, in the bronze medal game, Poland upset England 12-7, and for the remaining spots in the standings Georgia surprised everyone (they'd only had two hits in their first two games) by beating Sweden 16-4 and then Romania 12-4.

Awards were handed out and Team Ukraine members receive two individual citations. Mr. Hryschenko is named top pitcher in the tournament and Mr. Trokhymenko is named the most valuable player.

I was not able to attend the closing ceremonies. I had to fly to Prague to coach Ukraine's Cadet (age 13-15) National Team. Later that day, I arrived with my wife in Chocen, Czech Republic, site of the Cadet championships. My son returned home to the U.S.

A slow-moving bus arrives from Kirovohrad with 15 of Team Ukraine's players, two drivers, two coaches and four members of our delegation. The entire group stays at a youth hostel in Vysoke Mysto just eight kilometers from Chocen, site of tournament. Two of our players are from Kyiv, one from Chernivtsi, one from Symferopol and the rest from Kirovohrad.

Chocen, population 8,000, is located east of Prague in eastern Bohemia. On July 7 the rain and floods that hit Germany and Poland overwhelmed the town. The Tiche Orlice (Quiet Eagle) River overflowed and damaged over 600 homes in the region. Over five feet of water covered the baseball field. Sensibly, the mayor of Chocen proclaimed that people must be saved first and then the baseball field.

A Herculean effort by the local townspeople was needed to get the field rebuilt. The entire red clay infield had been washed away. Local factories donated a massive quantity of bricks, crushed them, and the infield was rebuilt. Even with all this help, the first two days of games were held in Brno, 100 kilometers away.

Sunday, July 27

Early this morning, back in Hull, England, Ukraine's Junior team picked up where it left off. We win 16-6. Ukraine now moves into European Pool A competition next summer in Germany.

Our pitching has gotten much stronger in recent years. This is a tribute to the dedication of the players and their coaches.

Final Junior Pool B Championship standings: 1. Ukraine, 2. Israel, 3. Poland, 4. England, 5. Georgia, 6. Sweden, 7. Rumania.

In Brno, Ukraine's Cadets swarm the Swiss. Result: Ukraine: 26, Switzerland: O. The winning pitcher is Sergei Litvinov, who struck out seven. Serhii Holovko hit two home runs.

Tuesday, July 29

Ukraine squeezed by France 5-3. Holovko came in to save the game for Litvinov. During the game Petro Dikhtlarenko, our shortest and youngest player, drew a walk, then stole his first base, but in his glee he jumped up from second base and was tagged out. The young man came back to the dugout crying. The next time up Petro got his first base hit, but it was disallowed because he batted out of turn. Once again the tears flowed. His wide smile returned after our victory.

The game between Ukraine and France was a rematch of last summer's bronze medal game in Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris. As they did last year, the Ukrainians won a close and tense game.

After today's contest, we learned that the two teams would have to share a bus for the two-hour ride back to Chocen. What would happen?

Well - singing. First the French began singing their native songs, then the Ukrainians sang their own, and then both teams sang together. No boy knew the language of his opponents, but something magical happened, there was harmony in the air.

Our two-hour ride concluded with the French singing their national anthem and all the players from both countries stood with their caps covering their hearts showing respect in a crowded speeding bus. A very special moment for us all.

Wednesday, July 30

Games are finally held in Chocen. Getting the field ready for play is a tribute to the efforts of the Organizing Committee and the townspeople.

Today it was Ukraine versus Poland for first place in Group 2. Yevhen Blyzniuk pitched five and a third innings and struck out six to lead Ukraine to victory 11-7, but it wasn't easy. Our boys committed six errors early in the game and as a result we were quickly in the hole, behind 7-3.

Team France arrived in the fourth inning to await its next game, and helped wake up our lethargic side. They chanted "Ukraine, Ukraine," throughout the action. This vocal support encouraged our young players to compete with enthusiasm and purpose. Ukraine's kids responded with shouts of "France, France" and rhythmic clapping.

We battled back to within one run, and then in the seventh inning we exploded. Litvinov and Evhen Kudra each knocked in two runners, capping a five-run charge. Litvinov also pitched two and third innings in relief. Holovko earned Ukraine's first save, pitching an inning and a third, striking out two. Ukraine stole seven bases in the game.

After the contest, I thanked the French team for their vocal support.

Thursday, July 31

Alexander Nikulin, our sponsor from Kirovohrad, arrived in Chocen today and brought me the medal the Junior Team Ukraine earned in England. Mr. Nikulin, president of the Gorn multinational enterprise, with interests in television, radio and newspapers, has sponsored baseball teams in Kirovohrad since 1993. This summer he contributed financially to aid Ukraine's Senior, Junior and Cadet teams, allowing them to participate in European championships.

To my dismay, I noticed that the gold medal that each boy and coach earned has no engraving on it.

This is very odd. I was also informed that Team Ukraine did not receive a team cup symbolizing our tremendous accomplishment. I write to the British Baseball Federation expressing my disappointment with the medals and the lack of a championship cup.

I mail my medal back in protest along with a request that new medals be awarded. Ukraine and other Eastern European countries have spent thousands of dollars to take part in this tournament. We should at least receive appropriate medals and awards.

On a positive note, today Ukraine's Cadets maintained their unbeaten record in the round-robin's final game, trouncing Hungary 17-0. Yevhen Tkachenko pitched a complete game, giving up only two hits and striking out seven, while Dikhtyarenko got four RBIs in leading a 15-hit attack in the victory.

Ukraine also stole 15 bases early in the game, dominating an inexperienced Hungarian team.

We almost had to do it twice. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, the score was 12-0 for Ukraine, and the rains returned. A long delay ensued, and according to championship rules if the delay lasts longer than an hour the match must be replayed from the start. Happily, the sun came out in time.

Saturday, August 2

Semi-final day. Game 1: Italy (who also had a 4-0 record) versus Poland (3-1). Result: Italy: 22; Poland; 3. Game 2: Ukraine against the Czechs (3-1).

Amazingly, in a town of 8,000, over 1,000 people were in attendance to witness the most exciting game in the tournament. The Czechs capitalized on a raft of bad defensive plays by the Ukrainian boys, and jumped out to a 7-2 lead early in the game. Our workhorse, Litvinov, pitched into the eighth.

We did not quit. We started bunting and getting clutch hits. In the seventh inning we finally tied the Czechs 7-7. The crowd was stunned.

Then the Czech coach brought in his top pitcher, Jiri Albrecht, to stop our charge. Mr. Albrecht kept us off the scoreboard in the eighth, and his team squeezed another two runs out of the tiring Litvinov to go ahead 9-7. In the top of the ninth, we put two men on base in scoring position, with two out, when tournament home run leader Holovko stepped to the plate. The top two players of the championship, Albrecht and Holovko, faced off.

I envisioned a dramatic three-run homer to end the game. Holovko took his home run cut, but grounded out to second base. Albrecht and the Czechs had won.

Holovko is a good kid, and his progress is now being followed by the Atlanta Braves organization. I'm collecting all of his stats and will follow his development. This young man is a gentleman and has earned Master of Sports status in Ukraine.

Sunday, August 3

Medal day. We faced Poland again in the bronze medal game, and a very tired Litvinov started, then Blyzniuk took over, then Tkachenko. Tkachenko pitched a solid four and two thirds innings to secure our victory. Holovko closed it out and also got three hits and four RBIs along the way. Final score: Ukraine, 12; Poland, 7. Tkachenko earned his second victory in the tournament, and his ERA for the championship was an impressive 0.77. In the gold medal game Italy beat the Czechs 11-1.

Ukraine finished with a record of five wins and only one loss. This is the second consecutive year that the Cadet team won a bronze medal.

Final standings: 1. Italy, 2. Czech Republic, 3. Ukraine, 4. Poland, 5. France, 6. Israel, 7. Austria, 8. Switzerland, 9. Slovakia, 10. Hungary.

The closing ceremonies followed the championship game. Each team marched proudly onto the field to the playing of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Each country was presented an engraved team cup. The top three teams also received appropriate medals, which were engraved.

Then the individual awards were presented. Ukraine won three major awards: Top home-run hitter: Holovko. Top base stealer: Blyzniuk. Lowest earned run average: Tkachenko. According to the final statistics, the 15-year-old Holovko had a tremendous tournament. Apart from leading in homers (two), he was first in total bases (18), second in RBIs (13), fourth in hits (10), fifth in slugging percentage (.720). This young man has a tremendous baseball future.

The versatile Litvinov is another young man who bears watching. He lead the tournament in strike outs (17), was first in wins (two), fourth in RBIs (nine), fourth in hits (14) and seventh in batting average (.500)

All participants received a commemorative glass, and a gingerbread cake. All teams received snacks and canned goods for their long journey back home. Team Ukraine would like to thank the Czech Baseball association and the people of Brno and Chocen for their hospitality.

Saturday, August 30

After a brief respite in the U.S., I'm back in Europe. At 7 a.m. today, 11 players arrived here in Sarcelles, France, to round out the 23-man roster of Ukraine's Senior National Baseball Team. Two days earlier, one of our two buses en route from Kyiv to Paris broke down in Poland. The other bus had proceeded to France with 12 players and one coach.

Just five hours later, Team Ukraine took to the field to face the powerful team from the Netherlands. They are the defending European champions, and played in last year's Olympic games.

Team Ukraine showed the ill-effects of the long and arduous bus trip by allowing 9 runs in the first inning. Final score: Netherlands; 27; Ukraine; 0. We had no hits and only one baserunner.

Sunday, August 31

Playing against Spain, Ukraine got its first hit of the tournament, then scored two runs in the first inning to grab a quick 2-0 lead. But those were the only runs for Ukraine in the game. Final score: Spain; 12; Ukraine; 2.

Tuesday, September 2

We face England. Andrei Semenov pitches seven strong innings for Ukraine, allowing only six hits and striking out four. With the score tied at five in the bottom of the seventh inning, with two outs, Ruslan Deikin reached base on an error. Then Yurii Irchenko and Artur Tsarenko hit two clutch singles to send two runs across the plate. Roman Yatsyk takes the mound in the final two innings and shuts out the side. We win our first game 7-5. Sasha Inozemtsev got three hits, while Irchenko and Oleh Briusov chipped in two each.

Wednesday, September 3

Russia versus Ukraine. The game starts at 9 a.m. and we score two runs in the first inning. Unfortunately, our offense lapses back into the doldrums. Sasha Trofimenko, a 16-year-old and a former Junior Championship MVP, pitches a very effective five innings for Ukraine, but our own infield gives the game away. We commit eight errors, allowing four unearned runs while Trofimenko is on the mound. Final score, Russia: 11, Ukraine: 2.

Friday, September 5

Our status as a Pool A European team is in doubt as we prepare to battle Slovenia. Happily, our batting comes to life with a bang. Volodymyr Babalych hits a grand slam home run in the first inning, Tsarenko goes on a tear with four hits, while Irchenko and Vasyl Antoshko add two each. Sergei Makarov was solid on the mound, pitching a complete game, striking out seven, allowing no walks and only four hits. We win, 11-1.

Saturday, September 6

Relegation game versus Germany. The winner remains in the A-Pool, the loser drops to 11th place in the tournament and down to the B-leagues.

Semenov, who beat the Brits four days earlier, gave up triples to the first two batters he faced and was yanked from the game. A succession of relievers can't stem the German attack. They score five runs in the first inning and then coast to an easy 16-6 victory. The Ukrainian bats were disappointing once again, as several times we had opportunities to do damage but did not come through.

Final standings: 1. Italy, 2. Holland, 3. Spain, 4. Russia, 5. France, 6. Belgium, 7. Czech Republic, 8. Sweden, 9. England, 10. Germany, 11. Ukraine, 12. Slovenia.

Next summer, Ukraine's Senior Team will compete in Vienna, Austria, for the B-Pool Championships.

This is not so bad. We need to play in more international baseball competitions to get better. I predict that Ukraine will win the B Championship in 1998, and will return to Group A in 1999.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, October 26, 1997, No. 43, Vol. LXV

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