VIPs on the field – part 1

For loyal readers of our website, we have prepared a section called "VIPs on the field." This section will operate throughout the U18 European Championship.

Returning to yesterday's match day Czech – Russia, in this match we were privileged to see the ceremonial pitch in bringing Mr. Alois Michl. The most loyal Arrows fan, born 25. 5. 1932 who in his 83 years is still full of energy and has not miss a game of his team Arrows Ostrava. This man also saw playing baseball for the first time in Pilsen, performed by the US General Patton's troopers. He said, that the thing he was fascinated the most, were these US trooper with white gloves. “When they arrived to our village, they were put up at a local school in neighboring village. As kids we went to look at them. When they had nothing to do, so they just put gloves on and began throwing. And did throwing for a two, three hours just like that” he said... “When they got bored after three hours of throwing, they started up Jeeps and drove around the neighborhood, where had looked for fresh eggs or freshly killed poultry, which they tried to exchange for a canned food, chocolate or cigarettes ... We admired them as boys . And that is how I got to know with baseball for the first time”...

We have catched Mr. Michl on the afternoon match. He definitely belongs amongst the most loyal fans on this tournament and, as always, he has been in very optimistic mood. When I asked him first question , he wheedled a roguish smile on his face. And it is apparent that Mr. Alois is an expert of baseball and local conditions. He has answered all the questions promptly.

How do you like the European Juniors Championship so far? "

Mr. Mich answering in a calm voice: "I like it very much, it does not have a mistake," and his eyes sparkled.

"Who do you think will win this championship?"

"I believe to Netherlands or Italy."

"What do you say about Ondra Satoria´s perfomance on the mound in the first match for Czech team?

"I really like him, he has a promising career ahead of him."

"What would you wish organizers?"

"Whatever a good weather holds," I want to see all the matches of this tournament.

"In the Czech national team we have our home town representatives, Jakub Grepl and Jakub Kubica."

"They are both very talented players and I look forward to see them playing in the next matches!

The second VIP person who yesterday threw the ceremonial pitch was Mr. Petr Mihálik

Ing. Petr Mihálik born in 1960, is a Czech politician and a systems engineer in the years 2010-2014 Ostrava city councilor and longtime councilor City District Ostrava-Poruba. From 2002 to 2006 councilor and deputy mayor since 2006, a member of the CSSD. Mr. Mihálik often attends a baseball game and various sporting events.

After the ceremonial pitch I asked the mayor:

"What is your greatest baseball experience"

"Definitely visit of the Pittsburgh Pirates game in US. Therein you realize how popular baseball in America is. They played against New York Mets at PNC Park in Pittsburgh , there was absolutely full house. Basically it is always fullycrowded, even if the matches are played several times a week. "

"Any ranking the most popular sports, what ranking is baseball for you on?"

"I don´t have such rankings.. I'd say that I appreciate every sport run with love, passion and professionalism. Or do you think someone might inspire tacky football match, although the sport in the Czech Republic and across Europe is the most popular? "

"You have just visited ongoing European Junior Championship in baseball, what feelings you have taken away?"

"It has not been first event I attended at the Arrows stadium and each time I have to appreciate such loving and enthusiastic people from the club. It is gratifying that each year you are able to manage and bring some European or World event to Ostrava-Poruba and I believe it will be successful in the coming years. "

"When we are talking about European events, are there more such events planned in Ostrava-Poruba yet?

"In district Ostrava-Poruba there are not many sport grounds which would meet a criteria for hosting international events. With the exception of the area's as Arrows has, perhaps the only ice-hockey stadium. And given that we are part of Ostrava city that has modern sport grounds , it makes sense that most of the events, such as the Golden Spike and for example this year ice hockey World Championship is held there. But also here in our district people can see top international sport events. Every year on the Main Street we held the World Cup in inline skating. In such events, we are obviously grateful. Whether it is an inline skating or baseball events, always many people coming from abroad and it is a huge advertising for Ostrava-Poruba.

"Are you coming to see the finals?"

"I am very happy to come to watch and I hope to come to watch the matches of the Czech team. I keep my fingers crossed for our boys, and I believe that this year they could be even more successful than last championship, where got a silver. "

"The last question coming directly from the club president: How would you evaluate the technical performance of your pitch?

"What to say? (Laughs). I'm sure that I will never brag about it. From the stands it does not look like that, but the pitching mound is quite far away. I just realized and understand how physically fit and strong players should be. I look up to a pitcher, who can throw fast and unbelievably precise. I unfortunately did not throw that far again. "

More articles coming up. Read pages Arrows!