With the Olympics right around the corner, athletes from around the world are beginning to make their way from all parts of the globe including Israel as they ready to do battle in Tokyo. The blue-and-white will be sending close to 100 athletes in a variety of disciplines but one sport that stands out amongst all the others for Jews especially in North America is baseball.

The Israel Baseball Team will be one of six that will compete for a medal along with Mexico, South Korea, the Dominican Republic, host Japan and the United States, the same United States that also happens to be the birth country of many of the Israeli sluggers and flame-throwers. This in itself makes the sport standout as one that has the unique ability to unite Jews in America with the country and game they love.

Just as training camp gets underway, not only are the fans excited about this special opportunity, but the players are as well including Chicago, Illinois native Mitch Glasser. The utility man who currently plays with Sioux Falls, starred with Israel at the European Championships and then the qualification round becoming a mainstay for Israel after having been part of the 2017 World Baseball Classic squad.

“I grew up Jewish and loving Israel,” Glasser who is named for former Chicago Cubs star reliever Mitch Williams. “It was always part of my identity and it’s amazing that I was the token Jew on the baseball teams when I was growing up. But wherever I would go, there would be a Jewish fan who would cheer for me. Baseball has allowed me to become an Israeli citizen and that merges the identity. It’s unique to see in baseball a team of Jews, that we are all together and that is why I am so proud to be on this team.”

The manager for the blue-and-white squad Eric Holtz also spoke about the special connection Jews have to the Holy Land and how the game of baseball will bring those together at the Olympic Games.

“That’s one of the most important components,” the skipper began. “I was raised in New York but spending time in Israel, the love for Israel and being a Zionist is amazing. When you take that, the process, excitement and look towards the future, we are trying to show the Israeli kids that this may be me one day. As well as the pride to do so. It’s the first time in 45 years that Israel has a team sport being represented. My parents are not here anymore, but when HaTikva is being played, chills go down my spine and I am so proud that I can do this for the Jewish people.”

One of the Israeli born players on the team is Alon Leichman who is currently a pithing coach in the Seattle Mariners farm system. The Sabra understands well how important the Tokyo Games will be for his hometown of Kibbutz Gezer and children around the country who dream to one day be playing professional baseball.

“I have been in the United States for ten years after having been an exceptional athlete in the IDF and I’ve been part of the National Team program for over twenty years. For us that grew up on Kibbutz Gezer, making the Olympics is huge. I hope that this will continue to help the sport grow in the Israel and the next generation will know what the sport of baseball is.”

Some of the players who Israel will face are going to be familiar to them explained Glasser who also believes that despite the country not being a baseball power the game is played on the diamond and on any given day one team can top the other.

“I know a couple of guys on the Mexican team and played against them and the catcher on the Dominican Republic team I know am very familiar with as we play together with Sioux Falls. Everyone would call us the underdog on paper but the beautiful thing is that it’s baseball and anything can happen. It’s not always the best team that wins. We have the right guys and the coaching staff who will pick the right guys. All we have to do is play the game.”

Holtz agreed that Israel has a good a chance to take home a medal as any other team in the tournament as the world’s heavyweights in the sport await. “I don’t get nervous and I don’t worry. Let’s put this out front, I’m going to be out-coached but at the end of the day the guys have to execute and if we execute that attack plan I’m not worried about anything. If the guys play loose and have fun we will be prepared. Japan will be a formidable opponent as they shut down their league. I don’t worry because we have a hell of a coaching staff and a helluva baseball team here. I love when there’s not a lot of attention on us. I hope the press will keep pushing Japan and the US and that will allow us to do what we do.”

Leichman looked at one advantage that Israel has over any other team, “I think the team we have has played a lot together and we know each other. In the case of the other teams, they haven’t and that is an advantage for us.”

“It’s not about the name on the back of our jersey, but for the name on the front,” Glasser commented. “It’s refreshing to be a part of team that can play to their peak of their abilities and that’s what we hope to show in Tokyo.”

Holtz can’t wait to get going and with that shared an important message, “This has been two years in the making and everyone is excited to get out onto the field. We need to know that Israel is behind us so we can do what we have to for Israel.”