Baseball international envoy programme to send coaches to India

Imphal, Jul 14 (UNI) Major League Baseball International (MLBI) will send 'envoy' coaches to five cities in India, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Imphal.

''Envoy coaches would begin a series of clinics and camps for local baseball coaches and players from November 4 to December 8, 2006,'' Executive Director of First Pitch L Somi Roy said here.

The coaching camp for local Manipuri coaches from November 4-14, highlighted a joint initiative between MLBI and first pitch, with the support by Spalding Baseball, that marks the first venture of FIRST PITCH to promote and support baseball in India.

A series of clinics for local baseball coaches and players in four other cities in India would instruct them in the fundamentals of baseball.

The Envoy Programme, developed by MLBI in 1991, utilised top high school, college, and professional baseball coaches. Envoy coaches were selected based on their experience, expertise and passion for teaching baseball to culturally diverse audiences in countries throughout the world.

The programme had sent baseball coaches on more than 700 assignments in 72 different countries and territories. MLBI and the US Embassy would co-host this important first effort at upgrading the level of coaching in Manipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

''With its enormous reach and ability to influence, the Envoy Program is vital to the long-term growth of the game and an integral part of our overall mission to internationalize baseball,'' said Paul Archey, Senior Vice President, Major League Baseball International.

Mr Roy said the US Ambassador in India David Mulford also stated that ''baseball is to America what cricket is to India. We are delighted that we can work with Major League Baseball International and FIRST PITCH to share this game with Indians. As sports enthusiasts, the Indian people might one day embrace baseball as they have cricket and other sports.'' UNI NS JYN AY GC1757