Israeli Flag Barred from Baseball/Softball Congress -- On the Scene

The new baseball/softball confederation opens its first meeting with a gaffe involving the Israeli flag.

That’s the cost of holding the meeting in Tunisia, a country which as a rule is not supposed to allow visitors from Israel to enter. Yet many do come every year, and there was no problem for Peter Kurz to pass through Tunisian immigration to attend the inaugural congress for the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

President of the Israel Baseball Association, he was one of 150 delegates from 90 nations who traveled to the resort city of Hammamet, an hour south of Tunis, to launch the new federation.

Around the Rings understands that when Tunisia and WBSC leaders came to terms a couple of months ago on hosting this congress (Los Angeles was the other contender. More on that to come), assurances were delivered that there would be no complications if Israel’s federation leader decided to come.

A change in heart, however, after Hammamet was awarded the event resulted in Tunisian organizers telling the federation that the Israeli flag could not be displayed during the congress. Kurz took his place in the hall without the flag of his country, the only delegation treated in such a manner.

The secretary general of the WBSC acknowledges it was a difficult situation. Beng Choo Low spoke to Around the Rings the day after the Congress.

"With the agreement of the Israeli representative, we did not put up the Israeli flag. But there was not an issue because it was a mutual agreement with all the parties involved," Low said.

"That's a challenge of sports...much as we would like to say...when you go to someone's house sometimes you do have to respect...and we are appreciative that all the parties understood that what was more important was for the Congress to continue...to go on...and also for everyone who wants to be here to be represented.

"I think the ultimate objective was achieved, regardless, and I think that's the most important," she said.

Kurz was not available for immediate comment on the situation as he is returning to Israel. We hope to report his side of the story as soon as possible.

What Might Have Been: Los Angeles

The seaside resort of Hammamet seems a most unlikely place to begin a new international federation for baseball and softball. The official line from federation leaders is the importance meeting in Tunisia and Africa means to development of the sport on this continent. With just over a dozen national federations, there is clearly room to grow in Africa.

The alternative to Hammamet? Los Angeles.

ATR is told that a letter to the federation from former Dodgers and current Padres owner Peter O’Malley made clear that the baseball and softball leaders were more than welcome to meet in Southern California. They’d even get VIP seating at an MLB game. Organizers of the Los Angeles bid for the Olympic Games were also willing to get involved to make sure the event would be a success.

Don Porter, ex-president of the International Softball Federation and former co-president of the WBSC until last weekend, is the person responsible for getting LA interested in hosting the meeting. But ATR understands that Porter delivered the proposal too late to be considered. Tunisia had the inside track and the game was over.

It certainly provides food for thought as to whether the big mission of getting baseball and softball back onto the Olympic program might have been better served by going to a baseball mecca instead of the Medina Conference Center in Tunisia.

Don Porter Escapes Camel-Napping

Outgoing softball leader Don Porter did more than say farewell this weekend. He literally headed into the sunset on the back of a camel.

Tourist town Hammamet is the sort of place where you can get a camel ride on the beach. Porter and colleague Toma Malakoff were taking in the sights at the beach across the street from the Congress hotel Sunday when a camel ride vendor ventured up to the pair.

The camel sat down in the sand and the camel keeper helped Porter into the saddle. Up went the dromedary, sauntering down the shoreline much to Porter’s surprise. He tells ATR he was even more surprised when the animal’s minder asked for €75 for the short ride.

Porter told the man he had but €15 and worried that he might not make it back over this misunderstanding (or hustle) on the beach.

But the man took the camel back with Porter aboard to the start of this sojourn, apparently still insisting on a €75 fare. Porter says he handed the man €15 which he took without protest.

We have seen the photos and are awaiting one to share with the world.

Written by Ed Hula.

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