Israel's national baseball team will face the Cal Ripken League All-Stars in an exhibition game at FNB Field in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Friday, July 16 at 10:00 a.m. The game is part of Team Israel's training camp and preparations for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, later that month. FNB Field is the home of the Harrisburg Senators, which is the AA affiliate for the Washington Nationals. Tickets will go on sale to the public Friday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m. ET at www.senatorsbaseball.com.
The game is one of nine that Team Israel will play in the United States as part of its training camp before the Olympics. Games against the New York Boulders in Pomona, New York, on Monday, July 12; against the Bristol Blues and Ocean State Waves in Hartford, Connecticut, on Wednesday-Thursday, July 14-15; and the Susquehanna Valley Stars in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 17, have already been announced. More games will be revealed in the coming days.
"We know all about the rich history of the Senators and are very excited to bring Team Israel to play on City Island," Adam Gladstone, Team Israel's Assistant GM and Director of Baseball Operations, said. "We want to thank the Schwab brothers for helping facilitate this game along with the Senators for hosting us."
Now in its 16th season, the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League is an amateur summer wooden bat baseball league in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Region. The Cal Ripken League All-Stars team that will face Israel's best will be a selection of the top performers from the six teams in the league.
The game in Harrisburg will also be a homecoming of sorts for one member of Team Israel, catcher Nick Rickles, who played for the Senators during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
“It’s not often at all that you get a chance to bring a national baseball team in that is on their way to the Olympics. We’re thrilled to be working with the Jewish Family Service of Greater Harrisburg to make this event a reality and help bring the community out to see Team Israel in action. I expect there are a lot of people in the Central PA Region that will be excited to be able to cheer these guys on to Tokyo. It’s going to be a fun event,” said Kevin Kulp, Senators Team President.
Team Israel will compete in baseball at the Olympic Games for the first time. It is the first team to represent Israel at the Olympic Games since 1976 when Israel's national soccer team played in Montreal. The six-team Olympic Baseball Tournament will run from July 28 through August 7.
You can help Team Israel on its journey by supporting the 25th Player campaign. Go to IsraelBaseball.com for more information. Official Team Israel baseball apparel can be purchased at teamisraelbaseball.com.