About two weeks ago baseball fans in Belarus were shocked with a magical news — MLB superstar Albert Pujols is going to visit Minsk! Naturally, most of us firstly reacted with "you're kidding, this can't be true!". Sounded like a sometning impossible, why on Earth such a baseball star should come here? There is almost no baseball in the country. But it was really true, and on Tuesday Pujols with his wife landed in Minsk Airport.
Albert Pujols was invited by the head of Belarusian Baseball Association and the manager of the best local baseball club "Minsk". Dominican star was interested to see local championship, players, their level and train with them. Also, Albert has planned to attend the final series of Belarusian baseball championship on Thursday-Saturday (October 3-5). The main aim is to help to develop baseball in Belarus, but I don't know what steps will follow.
Baseball isn't popular in Belarus, many people didn't even heard about this game or just know there is something called "baseball" in the USA. However, there are some baseball fans and a small amateur championsip consisting of six teams around the country. So, visit of the MLB star is a major news and outstanding occasion for every person interested in baseball.
Pujols started with training where "Minsk" players and children from baseball school were invited. They worked on batting, fielding and baserunning. Photos will show better.
The next day the first game of the final series was scheduled, but the weather changed everybody's plans — it rained the whole day. Absolutely no possibility to play and the game was rescheduled to Friday, so we've got a doubleheader.
Before the game Pujols met with players and answered their questions about different aspects of the game, batting technique, training and many other things. A really unique occasion to ask top-player about whatewer you want to know about baseball.
In the final series "Minsk" played against Lahishyn Wolwes, the first team aginst the second after the regular season accordingly. As there are only six teams in the championships it's no need to have more complicated and long playoffs. The final series is three games long.
Of course, Albert Pujols made the ceremonial first pitch before the game. He watched both games on Friday during which fans and kids periodically asked him to sign a ball, or bat, or card, or even glove. But it seemed Pujols was absolutely ok with all that interruptions.
On the second gameday dominican star changed his way to watch the game and was more active on the field: moved from one team to another and was a kind of a base coach, advising players.
The final series ended with "Minsk" 3-0 win over Lahishyn Wolwes — this club is much more powerful than all other teams in the championships. Pujols said there are talents and they can become good players in the future.
Besides baseball Albert Pujols also had a sightseeing tour around Minsk at the beginning of his visit, he met Minister of Sports and Tourism and visited National Olympic Committee. Starred in local late night show and on Thursday was invited to see hockey game of local KHL team Dinamo-Minsk.
Pujols definetely gave a luck to the team — Dinamo won 4-1 over russian HC Sochi after three away overtime/shootouts losses. After the game he met players and coaches, some of them were especially happy to see MLB star in their locker room.
It's a hope more people in Belarus got to know about wonderful game named baseball and wanted to try to play it thanks the last news in media. And belarusian baseball fans are grateful for this amazing chance to meet Albert Pujols.
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