Rachel Maddow's story on the Iraqi baseball team update

[PA Democrat]

In less than 24 hours, donors have committed to provide all types of new equipment, uniforms, shoes for the team. It will be purchased here and then shipped to Iraq due to the lack of suppliers in Iraq. She has even worked out shipping logistics.

Way to go Rachel!

[PA Democrat]

1. They've only got a five year-old softball bat, a threadbare cap, three scuffed balls

and nine second-hand gloves from a flea market. They train on a college soccer field. And there's not a uniform among them. However, they love America's pastime as much as Crash Davis of "Bull Durham" ever did.

Meet Iraq's national baseball team.

The venture was the brainchild of three young Iraqi men from the U.S. They played ball at their American high school schools, came to Baghdad on a visit five years ago and left behind a curiosity and interest about a sport that, unlike soccer, didn't involve yellow cards, flops or nets.

"We were a group of physical education students," recalls Ysir Abdul Hasan, 23, the assistant coach. "We loved it because it's a new and strange game for our society." The Iraqis were also struck with the challenge, he adds, "especially for the striker who plays against the whole other team."

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/71740.html

[stuball111]

2. Yeah but...

Lets say the Iraqis get really good, and go to the Olympics and beat everyone, including the USA, then, according to the right, Rachel would be guilty of siding with the enemy, and supporting a foreign country, and we'd have to listen to hannity and boss, and beck and coulter yip on for weeks about what a traitor she and the people who donated the equipment, and I'd have to shoot my TV...

[AnnieBW]

3. What the World Baseball Governing Body should do

is bring in baseball stars from various countries to give clinics to these guys. I mean, they could fly in Cal Ripken, some of the Japanese, Dominican, and Cuban stars, and show these guys how to REALLY play the game. Or, better yet, since it's not safe for "celebrities" to be outside of the Green Zone, bring the Iraqi baseball team over here and let them play exhibitions against some U.S. pro or college teams. Heck, even some of the Major Leaguers! Sort of like the soccer governing body does - bring in the national teams to play teams like DC United, etc.