BJ De Lorenzo Reports from Israel

Getting into Tel Aviv at 1AM was a strange feeling after spending 7 hours at the airport in Brussels for a connecting flight. Apon arrival I was met by the president of the Israeli Baseball Federation Ham Katz. After leaving the comfort of the air conditioned airport and stepping outside I was hit buy a wave of heat and concluded that this assignment was going to be hot. It was 68 degrees so one could conclude the day times temperatures would be much higher and sticky. The TC meeting was not until 7 PM so I had time to sleep and recover from the long travel day.
My hotel was fine and comfotable enough but was 45 minutes from the diamond but the beach was 50 meters from my hotel so the trade off was even better..

Out of bed at 6:12 AM which is a habit , I went to the beach which was already seeing a crowd gathering as the thermometer started to rise to 80 degrees which was more than I could take and I headed back to the comfort of the air conditioning at the hotel.

Breakfast was another story served in a cafe just up the road, no bacon, no eggs and the toast was not the toast we all know and love so I decided on pizza and went back to the hotel to relax before the TC meeting.
The TC meeting lasted just over an hour with all teams participating and staying at the local uneversity. After the meeting ended we went out for something to eat, again some strange foods and I realised, I was going to lose some weight due to the lack of food and the onstant heat.

The games started Tuesday and I had the second game under the lights which was a new experiece. I worked third base which is not my favorite position but I perserved with no incidents and not much to do.

The following day I was working the plate for a 3:30 pm start. I have worked in warm weather but this heat was unreal and 41 degrees when I called play ball. I could feel the sweat running down my back which would becomea 3.5 hour marathon. All I wanted to do after the game was hydrate anf get back to my hotel to rest and sleep for the next 9 hours.

Working my last game at first base with Marco Turelli from Italy and Marco from Geogia, two seasoned umpires it was great working with a crew that was experienced which really helps.
Unfortunately we have these CEB rules and if your country makes it to the finals, you cannot work those games so I was a spectator for the rest of the tournament..
Team GB had already beaten Israel in the round robin and carried a 1-0 game lead into the finals. Israel would have to beat GB to make it a winner take all game. Israel played well and beat GB 7-9 to force the decider.

The crowd packed into the staduim and watched the host nation lose a thriller to GB who now are back in the EU Senior elite group.

Israel did an outstanding job hosting thios event and all I can add it that I hope our contry gets with the CEB program and hosts a tournament.



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