Derrek Lee, former Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs great, visited the Israel Baseball Academy practice Thursday, December 24 to meet our Academy players. He answered questions about his experience as a former first round draft pick, World Series Champion, and 2005 MVP candidate in the National League. Lee, pictured on the right fourth from left in the back row, spent two hours speaking with the group and giving advice during batting practice on the field. Lee was in Israel on a personal family trip.

A big thank you to Play Gobal, our partners in several Israel Baseball programs, for helping organize the visit. Play Global, along with help of Lee and Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies and LA Dodgers short stop, recently built batting cages in Uganda, and are becoming more involved in Israel Baseball and international baseball development in general.

"It was a great experience for our kids to get to meet Mr. Lee., and we are glad to welcome him to the Israel Baseball family," said Nate Fish, Academy co-director, about the visit.