Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., November 24, 2007 Kislev 14, 5768 | | Israel Time: 19:50 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Magazine Week's End Anglo File

Former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Israel Baseball League Commissioner Dan Kurtzer (Alon Ron) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 22:46 18/11/2007 Israel Baseball League chief steps down amid controversy By The Associated Press Tags: baseball  Former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Kurtzer has stepped down as commissioner of Israel's fledgling professional baseball league, topping a flurry of resignations amid questions over the league's finances, the league's public relations firm announced Sunday. The resignations set off rumors that the league was folding after just one year in the field, but organizers denied that. Advertisement The six-team league concluded its first season in Israel in August, drawing a following from the country's expatriate American community but failing to catch on with native-born Israelis. Israel's first ever professional hardball league featured 120 players from nine countries, split into six teams for a 45-game season over two months. Kurtzer was part of a high-powered lineup of American executives and baseball professionals drafted by Boston-based league founder Larry Baras. In a statement released Thursday, Kurtzer announced he was stepping down along with league advisory board members Martin Abramowitz, Marty Appel, Jeff Goldklang, Marvin Goldklang (a minority owner of the New York Yankees), Stuart Hershon, Randy Levine, Gary Rosen, Bob Ruxin and Andrew Zimbalist. The members commended Baras for having the vision to bring pro baseball to Israel, but expressed dismay with the way the league's finances and business operations were handled. The league's broadcasting deal with Israel's Sport5 TV cable network was canceled at midseason because the league could not live up to its financial obligations. The resigning members also noted that the league suffered from staffing and organizational problems since its inception. The league has vowed to return next summer for its second season with at least one new team, and has dismissed rumors that the league was folding. Related articles: UNDERGROUND EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Ambassador Dan Kurtzer talks baseball Baseball / Israel Baseball League: Professional baseball arrives in Israel Bookmark to del.icio.us Seinfeld in town American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld tours Israel and promotes his new movie. Beita Israel Uriel Sinai takes us on a photographic journey from Ethiopia to Israel.   1.   when the going gets tuff kurzer the cowerd gets going 19:23  |  the 24/11/07

Today Online PM: Maintaining status quo with Palestinians endangers Israel Responses: 241 IDF major charged for offering to spy for Iran, Hamas Responses: 94 Abbas: Israel, PA failed to agree on a joint statement Responses: 116 Bradley Burston: Sudanese refugees and survivors' children - a kinship of genocide Responses: 66 ANALYSIS: PA should have set the bar higher at the outset Responses: 91 Sharansky: Israel again making mistake of strengthening 'moderate' PA tyrants Responses: 81 Rosner's Domain Think of Annapolis as a big party Rosner's Guest: the pervasiveness of "groupthink" in the academy Christmas wars, again? (WTR) Poll: Can the Israeli-Palestinian status quo be maintained? More Headlines 16:31 Ahead of summit, Hamas threatens to make deadlier Qassams 18:41 Two Palestinians killed by IDF fire near Gaza security fence 15:54 Holocaust survivor meets her rescuer for first time in 62 years 11:15 Abbas: Israel, PA have failed to reach joint statement 15:55 Mild quake jolts central Israel just days after Dead Sea tremor 16:53 Lebanon PM: No state of emergency, gov't will assume pres. powers 15:25 Soldier shoots 2 women, himself with IDF-issued gun in Eilat 22:25 Police delay recommendation on indicting PM until after summit 11:12 U.S. senators, panel seek closure of Saudi Islamic school 22:08 American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld in Israel to promote new movie Previous Editions Select Day 23 nov 22 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 16 nov 15 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov

Special Offers Advertisement Invest in Macedonia New Business Heaven in Europe Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt. Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved