A quick guide to the IBL

Answers to some frequently asked questions for all you newcomers to the world of baseball.

By SHLOMO SPRUNG
Yarkon field 88 (photo credit: )
Yarkon field 88
(photo credit: )
What is the Israel Baseball League? The Israel Baseball League is the professional baseball league of Israel. How long will the season be? The six teams will each play 45 game schedules with a midseason All-Star game and season ending championship game. What are the rules? The rules are mainly the same as of Major League Baseball, but with a couple of unique wrinkles. The games are seven innings instead of the regulation nine, and if games are tied after seven innings, they are decided by a Home Run Derby. In the IBL, the designated hitter rules will be in affect, just like in the American League in the United States. Are all the players Israeli, and is there actual talent in this league? Only 18 percent of the league's players are Israeli, but the majority of this season's players will be of Jewish affiliation. The players come from many different nations besides Israel, including the United States, Canada, Russia, Australia, the Dominican Republic, Japan, and Colombia. Player talent includes some IBL players that have starred in the Japanese League, a Dominican batting champion, and numerous performers who were drafted to Major League teams. Where will the games be played? The games will be played at three fields in the inaugural campaign - A stadium in Kibbutz Gezer, about 25 minutes outside of Jerusalem, Sportek Field located on the west side of Tel Aviv's largest park complex, Park Hayarkon, and Yarkon Sports Complex found in the middle of Petah Tikva's Baptist Village. How can tickets be bought? Tickets could be bought at the stadiums, or online at www.israelbaseballleague.com Will any of the games be televised? Yes, there will be a televised game every Sunday night on Sport5 from Petah Tikva. What is the goal of the Israel Baseball League? To make bring baseball to Israel, make it one of the most popular sports in the country, and for Israel to compete in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.