MODERNERABASEBALL.COM: From Russia, With Love

THE RUSSIANS ARE GETTING BETTER AND BETTER...

...RECENT LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES APPEARANCES ARE A TESTAMENT TO RUSSIANS STRONG WORK ETHIC

No country in Europe, as a collective whole over the long-term, holds more promise because of its sheer size (population: 144 million), and individual athleticism, than Russia. Before the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, the United Soviet Socialist States (USSR) was playing baseball. That's because in the early 1980s baseball finally went from Olympic demonstration sport to the real deal. The USSR wanted to join the party – and do well.

You can learn more about baseball in Russia and Europe in World in a Ballpark: Baseball Goes Global, which is available for purchase at the Buy Joe's Guides page.

You can see Joe's photos by traveling to these links: European Feast; Baseball Italia; The Netherlands: Dutch Treats!; The British Are Coming!; Czech Republic This Out; French Connection; Do You Speak German?; Luck Of The Irish; Spanish Passport and Swiss Cheese!

If you want to view a sample of the guide and see how easy the guide is to use, visit the World Baseball Classic page.

JOE FELT LOVE IN THE FORMER COMMUNIST STRONGHOLD!

FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE MOSCOW SUBWAY TO THE MAMMOTH STALIN SKYSCRAPERS BEYOND THE BALLFIELD

I was reminded by many a Russian of their love of movies and the film, "Comrades of the Summer," a fiction movie about a U.S. coach who goes to the Soviet Union to try and teach baseball, only to at one point lose his mind. Russians see the movie as more non-fiction than fiction - a source of inspiration.

WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT, "FEDEROV" TAKING BP...

...WHAT WOULD COMMI VLADIMIR LENIN MAKE OF THE "NEW RUSSIA?" THE FORMER COMMI'S STATUES REMAIN HERE

Player-coach friction is a common sight in Russia, especially at the youth level. On multiple occasions I witnessed Russian coaches screaming at an entire dugout of youths - to little avail. The players went back on the field and made the same mistakes. And the base running? Yikes. Many a Russian must think the KGB is still lurking underneath the bases because few ever slide and, therefore, are often tagged out standing up!

RUSSIA'S BALLFIELDS NEED SOME MAINTENANCE

MOSCOW STATE'S TURF IS COMING APART; (above right) LOGO ON THE HATS OF THE RUSSIAN RED ARMY TEAM

Most baseball in Russia is played in Moscow (population: 11 million), still one of the world's most influential capitols. Games are only on the weekend, and Sunday's many make Ernie Banks proud and "play two." At least a few have played in the U.S. Minor Leagues (since been cut). Russia has also been a frequent Little League World Series participant in recent years, a sign this country has both size and talent, along with strength.

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