by Andy Berglund
The week of August 6-10, Jan Gregor (Trebic Nuclears) and Andy Berglund of the Czech Republic were fortunate enough to attend the MLB European Academy in Tirrenia, Italy. 47 players representing 13 different countries were hand-picked at MLB scouting-bureau tryouts earlier this spring. Representing the Czech Republic at the Academy were Jakub Ondracek (Hrosi Brno), Adam Hajtmar (Draci Brno), Richard Sazavsky and Matej Brabec (Technika Brno), Jan Novak and Ivan Aubrecht (Kotlarka Praha), Ondrej Matko (Eagles Praha) and Michael Vykoukal (Arrows Ostrava).
The camp is the premier camp in Europe each summer, giving the players over two weeks of intensified, professional training sessions and games. Former MLB coaches and players, John McClaren, Bruce Hurst, Wally Joyner, Dale Murphy and Craig Shipley lead the instruction, which is absolutely top-notch.
Coaches from around Europe and their respective Academies come to Tirrenia to experience the workouts, ask questions and sit in on coaching sessions with Joyner, Hurst, Murphy, Shipley and McClaren to further their coaching knowledge and awareness. It is a truly unique, powerful and educational experience.
The European players and the eight Czech players received very strong compliments for their attitudes, work ethic and play on the field. It’s a strong testament to the players themselves and their hard work in getting selected to the Academy. The MLB coaching staff had many positive things to say about how well the players were doing at the Academy.
Attached are a few photos from the camp.
This experience for the young European player is amazing and something each young player should strive for each summer.
This experience for the European oaches is even more valuable and critical to the development of European baseball. My hats off to the federation and Academy coaches that continue to find time each year to take this camp in. Those that can attend will leave with a wealth of knowledge that they can take back to their respective clubs and young players. The practices will get better, more organized and more educational. The game here will grow from the European coaches within.
