Being unable to meet the obligations of the office of President, Mr. Katsigiannis decided to resign effective July 9, 2009. The Board of Directors of the HABF elected Mr. Panos Mitsiopoulos to the position of President and Mr. Kanistras was elected to the position of General Secretary. Mr. Katsigiannis sited personal and business obligations as being the reasons behind his decision to step down. He led the HABF through some difficult times and we all thank him for his tireless efforts and invaluable leadership on behalf of the sport. We wish him all the best for the future and hope that he will soon be able to return to the HABF as an active supporter of our sport.
Mr. Panos Mitsiopoulos promises to organize 2009 Championship
Organizing the 2009 Championship is the most important item on the new president's agenda. His plan is to find the means through which the Federation will be able to secure the necessary finances in order to fund the championship. We wish him luck and promise to support his efforts in every way possible.
Players and Coaches visit Athens for one week of clinics and exhibition games.
Three National Team players and four professional baseball coaches will be coming to Athens in order to conduct baseball clinics and exhibition baseball games during the last week of July, 2009. The players who are coming are:
Chris Demetral
Mike Koutsantonakis
Stephen Palos
The coaches who will be coming are:
Jim Essian
Mel Joseph
Tom Dimambro
Tom Waelchli
Their tentative program for their stay is as follows:
Thursday 23 July Arrival of Steve Palos with his sister
Friday 24 July Arrival of all other participants
Saturday 25 July Free day for visits to museums, Acropolis, etc.
Sunday 26 July 10:00 am Clinic for all players
2:00 pm exhibition game with mixed national team
Monday 27 July Free day
Tuesday 28 July 9:00 am Clinic for young players
7:30 pm Presentation of EPT documentary "A Team
is born" followed by a reception/barbecue at the
Cultural Center of the University of Indianapolis,
Markou Auriliou 5, Plaka.
Wednesday 29 July, Thursday 30 July, & Friday 31 July Free days
Saturday 1 August 10:00 am Clinic For all players
12:00 pm Exhibition game vs national team of Bulgaria
Sunday 2 August Return to U.S.A.
All the games and clinics will be conducted at the #1 Baseball Field at the Hellenikon Baseball Practice Fields.
The HABF has no funds to offset the travel expenses for these men. Fortunately, Mr. Mitsiopoulos is going to provide them with their hotel accommodations at no cost to them. However, volunteers are needed to help provide transportation to and from the airport on the 23rd and 24th of July as well as on the 2nd of August. As well as transportation for the men to go and come from the field. Any and all persons who can provide automobile transportatopm for the players and coaches are welcome to do so and are asked to contact Tom Mazarakis in order to coordinate our efforts. Tel. 693-916-2014 email [email protected]