Baseball Moldova

Dear Baseball Enthusiasts,

A lot has happened in the development of Baseball Moldova since last season. We have run into some problems and set backs. We have created more teams and helped spread baseball throughout Moldova. In the end we have had a lot of progress in getting baseball up and running in the Republic of Moldova. We are still in the process of negotiating terms to construct Moldova’s first baseball stadium complex with local government.

I would like to thank and recognize Frank Fulton of Perfect Game Baseball and the Good Citizens Foundation for all of their support from the USA. Frank and I have created a partnership that embodies philanthropy through sports and the game of baseball. Frank is helping with design and implementation from abroad while I am taking care of logistics and production here in Moldova. The U.S Embassy has also helped in making contacts for the approval in the development of a baseball complex on city land in Moldova.

Frank is currently hosting a Moldovan coach and friend in the US in a week long training process that will emphasize all aspects of baseball. Andrei Butnari is spending the week of April 13th- 19th in Raleigh/Durham with Frank in hopes that he can bring back professional, logistical, and fundamental baseball skills and organization to Moldova. Andrei will teach what he’s learned from Frank’s camps and knowledge. Andrei plays a vital role in the development of baseball development here in Moldova.

We are currently working with the US embassy and waiting approval for land usage in the city of Chisinau Moldova, the current baseball capital of Moldova. Once completed we have planned to build a 3 baseball and 1 soccer field complex that will be ran by the Baseball Federation of Moldova. The idea is 2 little league fields in opposite corners of a baseball field with a big league lying next to it. This complex will bolster both soccer and baseball, both girls and boys, and will be free for the public to use through the Baseball Federation of Moldova.

We are excited to begin the new season and realize our initial objective of implementing our grant money and funds from abroad to build Moldova’s first baseball stadium. We are still looking for baseball donations that can be donated and sent to the US or Moldova. We are still trying to promote baseball in a country where the majority of the population has no clue about what the sport is and what it embodies. Most of all we are still trying to promote Moldova throughout the international baseball community. Support within our industry is vital to Baseball Moldova’s sustainability. Thanks for stopping b.

Play Ball,

Jerry Martin

Cheers,

As of June 5th, 2007 our entire grant was funded. We raised $4,716 in just over 5 weeks which will go towards the first baseball stadium in Moldova. I would first like to thank everyone who had a part in donating and spreading the word about the Baseball Moldova Project. We couldn’t have done this without your kindness and generosity. I would also like to thank Rawlings and Perfect Game USA for their generous equipment donations and help logistically. Your support has been tremendous.

Moldova’s youth would also like to thank all of your support for making baseball an option. Not only that but an activity that stresses the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and physical fitness. Baseball has provided over 150 kids this season with a gateway to healthier choices.

As volunteers, we still have a lot of work to do. Donations such as jerseys, pants, cleats, gloves, etc.. are always needed to keep our project going and growing. We have raised the money to build our stadium which will now allow Moldovans to have a home field and to begin hosting international tournaments upon the stadium’s completion.  We still need YOU however to get the word out with MEDIA and E-MAILS about our projects goals and accomplishments. It doesn’t take much to help make a difference

Again, a very big THANKS to all those who have helped us accomplish our goal of raising this money to bring baseball off Moldova’s doorstep. For those of you who are still unaware of what and who we are please take a few minutes to explore our website and see how you can get involved. As always, TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ABOUT WHO AND WHAT WE ARE!!!!!

Much Respect,

Jerry Martin

Cheers,

Thank you for visiting the Baseball Moldova Project home page. Spring has arrived and the 2007 baseball season is upon us. As volunteers, we have been preparing our communities for the north’s innagural high school baseball season all winter. We have had tremendous success with finding local and U.S support since November and we are very grateful. We still have a lot of work ahead of us.

The goal of this website is to educate the U.S and world wide baseball community of our community efforts to make baseball sustainable throughout Moldova. There lies and inherent demand for baseball in our communities and it is time we came together to make that a reality.

I would like to thank the Baseball Free For All Foundation for their help with the first annual Baseball Moldova Project Fundraiser on February 24th, 2007. Your efforts are greatly appreciated here. Secondly I would like to thank Rawlings out of St. Louis, MO for the very generous donation of new baseball equipment for the innagural season.  This equipment will go along way.

Our biggest goal of the season is of course to raise the necessary funds to build an actual playing field for the new and future players of Moldova. This field will be the SECOND built in all of Moldova and finally provide the north with a home playing field. This field will bolster our project’s sustainability and provide host country nationals with a sense of local ownership. We have had great support thus far in U.S sponsorship and donations and are on track to reach our goals. Please take a few mintues to navigate our website to learn about our project, mission and objectives, and possible ways to help bring baseball in off Moldova’s doorstep.

 Play Ball,

Jerry Martin

*The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S Government or the Peace Corps