Noam Calisar, 16, from the Tel Aviv Comrades, was selected to participate in an MLB camp. Noam was sent to Prague in April to try out for the MLB camps with another 360 players from around Europe. Noam was chosen to participate in a hitting mini-camp to take place in Hoofddorp in the Netherlands at the end of June.
We spoke to Noam after he received the good news from Major League Baseball International, which organizes camps for talented players throughout the world.
What was the selection process?
I travelled to Prague for the tryouts. Richard Kania, the Israel Senior National Team coach who lives in Prague, hosted me at his home and helped me to prepare for the tryouts. The tryouts included infield drill – 60 yard (55 meter) sprints, ground balls to each side and from shortstop to first base, and finally two batting rounds of eight pitches.
How do you feel having been selected for the camp?
I am very proud to be chosen to participate in an MLB training camp and to represent Israel baseball and the State of Israel as well.
What do you hope to gain from the camp?
I am looking forward to the opportunity to train as much as possible with MLB coaches, to improve my playing capabilities and to be exposed to MLB coaches and scouts.
What age did you start playing baseball?
I started playing baseball when I lived in Japan at the age of 9.
What are your baseball ambitions?
I want to be the first Israeli in the MLB and of course to help develop baseball in Israel.
