Baseball United

From the St. Paul Saints website: The Saints “Umpireless Game” presented by Hamline University will take place on Saturday, May 11 at 7:35 p.m.  In this unique twist the players on the field will make all their own calls.  Catchers for each team will call balls and strikes while base runners and position players will make safe and out calls along with fair and foul.  Just in case there are any disputes a judge and jury will be on hand to help out.  A jury of both teams’ peers will settle disputes at first and third base and in case of a hung jury a judge in a robe, who will stand behind the pitcher’s mound, will have the final say.  The Killebrew Box Seats, which are designated seating areas on the first and third base side at field level, will have 12 Little Leaguers in each area deciding plays on the base paths.  The jury will be given signs that say “safe” or “out” and hold them up to make their decision known.  The judge on the field will settle balls and strikes disputes along with any other plays the jury can’t make a decision on.

Paul Risso was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1973. He blew his arm out before he ever threw a pitch in pro ball. Today, Paul is trying out for the St. Paul Saints.

This photo was originally posted on Twitter by the St. Paul Saints  To read more about Paul Risso's comeback attempt, click here.

Below is an email interview with Iranian baseball coach Mehrdad Hajian. Mehrdad joined Baseball United today. Welcome, Mehrdad!

1-What is your name? Explain your role with baseball in Iran.

My name is Mehrdad Hajian. I am currently the head coach for Azarakhsh (Thunderbolts) baseball team of Tehran and the Iranian national team.

2-How long has baseball been played in Iran? How many players/teams?

We have been playing Baseball since 1994. There are 12 teams and around 1000 baseball players in Iran. 

3-How do the players know about baseball? Have any of them spent time in the US?

Actually, I am probably the only one who has spent any extended time in the U.S. We have 2-3 other players who lived in the states but they are out of baseball now. In the beginning I used to recruit whoever looked athletic from the English classes I taught. In those years, I coached and also played for Tehran team and also went to different cities and showed them how the game is played. later we had an Italian coach and Umpire come to Iran for a couple of weeks. That got more people interested. Also after a few years, the players that learned the game in Tehran went to other cities and taught them. We have also had few American coaches, some of them former major league players, come to Iran through Global Sports Partners and conduct clinics. Although, this has stopped in the last few years.

4- What countries does the Iranian National Team play against?

We mostly play West Asian Teams in the West Asian games (Pakistan, India, Sri lanka, Afghanistan ...) But we have also played Thailand, Malaysia, Iraq, Hong Kong ... Youth tournaments in Dubai, Asian Games, Etc.

5-What do people of Iran think about baseball? Do they view it unfavorably because the sport started in America?

People don't care much where it is originated. Baseball doesn't get much support here simply because this is Football country. 

6-Is baseball played throughout the country? Or only in certain cities?

Baseball is only played in the 12 cities that I mentioned.