by IBAF, www.ibaf.org
When the Atlanta Braves visit the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night in Philadelphia. PA USA, the eyes of the sport, especially in North America, will be focused on the nationally-televised Opening Night of Major League Baseball. But leagues across the world are also beginning their seasons this week and throughout the month.
“Last week we were at the Sport Accord meetings in Denver and Ted Turner told the crowd, ‘The Olympics without baseball is like summer without spring,’ so it is great to see spring and baseball starting together in many parts of the world this week,” said Dr. Harvey Schiller, President, International Baseball Federation. “The various opening days around the world the next few weeks will once again show the world that baseball is a global game, and we are very excited about where the game is going, from the grassroots to the professional leagues, as we head into another exciting seven months of the great game.”
Below are some international opening days and some links to more info on their leagues:
3 April, Japanese Central League, Pacific League Opening Day
Locations: six home sites, Japan
Sponsor/Organization: Japanese Central League, Japanese Pacific League
Information: www.japanball.com/schedules.htm
4 April, German Bundesliga Baseball Opening Day
Location: Saarlouis, Germany
Sponsor/Organization: Deutscher Baseball und Softball Verband
Information: www.baseball-softball.de
4 April, Korean Professional League Opening Day
Location: Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju etc., Korea
Sponsor/Organizer: Korea Baseball Organization
Information: www.koreabaseball.com
5 April, Championnat de France N1 Opening Day
Location: France
Sponsor/Organizer: Fédération Française de Baseball et de Softball
Information: www.ffbsc.org
5 April, Major League Baseball Opening Night, Atlanta at Philadelphia, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Sponsor/Organizer: MLB
Information: www.mlb.com
5 April, Swedish Baseball Nationalliga Opening Day
Location: Sweden
Sponsor/Organizer: Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation
Information: www.baseboll-softboll.se
9 April, Italian Series Opening Day, T & A San Marino vs. Palfinger Reggio Emilia
Location: San Marino, Republic of San Marino
Sponsor/Organizer: FIBS Italia
Information: www.fibs.it
11 April, Netherlands Honkbal Opening Day
Location: Netherlands
Sponsor/Organizer: Koninklijke Nederlandse Baseball en Softball Bond
Information: www.knbsb.nl
12 April, Moldova National Baseball Opening Day
Location: Cojusna, Moldova
Sponsor/Organizer: Baseball Moldova
Information: http://baseballmoldova.com/
25 April, Swedish Elitserien, Opening Day
Location: Karlskoga, Sweden
Sponsor/Organizer: Svenska Baseboll Och Softball Forbundet
Information: www.baseboll-softboll.se
2 May, Finnish SM-Liiga Opening Day
Location: Espoo, Finland
Sponsor/Organizer: Finnish Baseball and Softball Federation
Information: www.baseballfinland.com