by www.baseballeurope.com
From 26th to 29th august the first ever Balcan Baseball Cup took place in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. With late cancelations from Romania and Turkey, and Croatia earlier, only three teams participated with Bulgaria winning the finals against Slovenia 6-5.
In the first game Bulgaria dominated Slovenia 7-1 with great pitching and some help from Slovenia defense that made some crucial errors in outfield that eventually cost them the game.
Second game was played between Serbia and Slovenia, and it was Slovenia who took early lead when Nikola Karacon, Serbia’s starting pitcher couldn’t find strike zone, and mostly on walks he gave up 4 runs while getting just 4 outs, he was later replaced by Milan Djordjevic who allowed just one more run, but the initial lead proved to be enough for Slovenia who were playing stellar defense. Serbia had their chances late in the game, but some baserunning blunders cost them a couple of runs and eventually the game.
Even though they lost to Slovenia, Serbia still had the chance to play in the finals and for that they needed to win against Bulgaria by two runs or more. Bulgaria proved to be the better team and by playing some unbelievable defense (6 double plays) they shut down Serbian offense who came to life in the 9th inning with 5 consecutive doubles but again Bulgarian right fielder gunned down Predrag Kukoleca who tried to score from first and that was the end for Serbian hopes to win in front of the home crowd.
The Finals took place on Sunday and it was Bulgaria who got the lead early in the first by playing small ball very well. A couple of bunts and steals, and Bulgaria was up 2-0 in the first. Slovenia came back in the 3rd with some timely hits and production from the bottom of the lineup. Jakob Trobec Slovenian shortstop was 3 for 3 with a couple of walks and his hit made it 4-2 Slovenia after 3. The score remained intact until 7th inning but then Bulgaria bats came to life, after the first two walks from tired Slovenia pitcher Alesh Mravlje, who pitched 8 innings of one run ball two days earlier against Serbia, Bulgaria had 3 hits and scoreboard said it was 5-4 Bulgaria with runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out. Trobec came in to pitch and he struck out two but a wild pitch allowed one more run for Bulgaria and it was 6-4 before the seventh inning stretch. Slovenia had their chances in the ninth with first two hitters getting on base, but hey only scored one run on a sac fly from their catcher and best defensive player in the tournament Klemen Gajzer. Final score Bulgaria 6 Slovenia 5.
Event had very good organization and media coverage and first ceremonial pitch was thrown by American Ambassador in Serbia Mary Warlick while the Cuban Ambassador Mercedes Valdes presented teams and players with the awards.
Comment by pitcherakos
September 3, 2010 | 11:27 am
This is actually the second (2nd) Balcan baseball Cup.
First one was held november 2005 in Athens Greece .
Participating countries were Bulgaria , Greece and Turkey.Republic of Moldova canceled the last minute due to visa problems . Remaining countries had declined earlier.
Each team played four games . Bulgaria was 1st with a record of 3-1 , Greece came second (3-1) due to better run difference in the 2 games against each other.
Turkey was third (0-4).
It is encouraging that after five years Balkan countries decided to reestablish another Balkan tournament.
And this should be held anually.