March 13, 2024

Israel Baseball Americas Launched as Exclusive Partner to Israel National Baseball Team –  Representing a New Era for Israel Baseball

Baltimore, MD – March 18, 2024 – Israel Baseball is launching a professional baseball organization in the US, Israel Baseball Americas. The newly formed non-profit organization will be the exclusive partner of the Israel Association of Baseball and will operate programs year-round for Team Israel players, youth participants and fans in North America and Latin America. The organization will be headquartered in Baltimore, MD.

Israel has been to three World Baseball Classics and the Olympics in the past ten years.  However, this is the first time they will have a professional apparatus in the States supporting the national team with everything from scouting and player development to apparel and merchandising sales.

The mission of Israel Baseball Americas is, “To provide people with a common outlet for their interest in Israel Baseball, and create a pipeline of talent for the Israel National Team Program.” The partnership represents a new era for Israel Baseball as we look to sustain and improve upon the progress of the last decade. 

Nate Fish, who has been with the team since 2011 and is the current manager of the national team, will serve as Chief Executive Officer of Israel Baseball Americas. Adam Gladstone, Head of Baseball Operations for Team Israel for more than the last decade, will serve as Chief Operations Officer. 

“It’s been a long time coming,” commented Nate Fish. “We have an amazing network in North America, and it’s time we have an organization that brings our community together to help move the national team program forward into the next phase. There is tremendous excitement about what we can build here!”

Notable members on the Board of Advisors include Ian Kinsler, Kevin Youkilis, Brad Ausmus, Shlomo Lipetz, Barry Weinberg, Jay Horwitz, and Adam Neuman. Kinsler played second base for Israel at the 2020 Olympics and managed Team Israel at the 2023 WBC and just won his second World Series ring as a special assistant with the Texas Rangers. Kevin Youkilis was the team’s hitting coach at the most recent WBC and will be in the broadcast booth again this year for the Red Sox. Brad Ausmus managed the team in 2012 and was bench coach in 2023 and was recently hired as bench coach for the Yankees. Lipetz, who is a Team Israel icon, has been with the national team since its inception in the early nineties and currently works as VP for City Winery. Barry Weinberg served as the head trainer for Team Israel at the 2012 and 2017 WBCs and boasts 33 years of MLB experience with NY Yankees, Oakland A’s, and St. Louis Cardinals. Jay Horwitz, a media powerhouse, is the current Vice President of Media Relations for New York Mets. ​​Adam Neuman is currently the Chief of Staff & Special Advisor to the President of the Baltimore Ravens, and previously served as the Chief of Staff, Strategy and Operations & Deputy General Counsel for the Big Ten Conference. 

“We want to reward the people who have worn the uniform,” commented Adam Gladstone. “It’s really a hybrid of a professional and amateur organization. We will have scouting and player development departments like you’d find with any pro team, but we will also be running youth and fantasy camps as well as showcases for amateur players — so there is something for everyone.” 

The organization’s leadership group will include individuals who have been mainstays with Israel Baseball over the past decade.

• Alex Jacobs, Director of Scouting; Jacobs is a former professional scout for the Astros and Diamondbacks and currently works with the Phillies under General Manager Sam Fuld, who played center field for Team Israel at the 2017 WBC
• Josh Zeid, Pitching Director; Zeid pitched for the Astros in the Major Leagues in 2013 and 2014, and was All-World for Team Israel at the 2017 WBC
• Mitch Glasser, Director of Player Development; Glasser was named an All-World selection as part of Team Israel at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
• Nate Mulberg, Director of Camps; Mulberg served as Team Israel’s first base coach at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is currently an assistant coach at Richmond University
• Eric Holtz, Director of Teams; Holtz served as Team Israel’s national team coach from 2017-2021, including during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
• Brad Eisen, Director of Showcases; Eisen founded the Israel Baseball Academy in 2022 for Jewish high school players
• Assaf Lowengart, Israel Director; Lowengart played for Team Israel at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and recently became the first Israeli-born player to play professional baseball in the US when he signed a contract last month with the Rockland Boulders of the Frontier League, will ensure there is continuity between the American and Israeli players
• Jon Moscot, Technology Director, Moscot was a member of Team Israel at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a former Major League pitcher. He currently serves as a Sales Manager at Uplift Labs. 
• Avi Miller, Communications Director; Miller has been leading digital media efforts for Team Israel through both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2023 WBC

“We are very proud of what we have accomplished in the past,” added Jordy Alter, president of the Israel Association of Baseball, who will also sit on the board of the newly formed Israel Baseball Americas. “There is a tremendous foundation that is in place.  Now we are excited to take this next step to ensure our continued growth and success at the highest levels in the future.”

About Israel Baseball Americas:

Israel Baseball America’s is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aims to provide people with a common outlet for their interest in Israel Baseball, and create a pipeline of talent for the Israel National Team Program.

About Israel Association of Baseball:

The Israel Association of Baseball was founded in 1986 and has overseen the growth of the sport in the country ever since, culminating with Team Israel’s historic appearance at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The IAB is a member of The Israel Olympic Committee, The Confederation of European Baseball (CEB), the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), Major League Baseball International (MLBI) and Little League.

As part of the expansion of baseball activities in Israel, the IAB is building new fields and looks forward to the completion of the new Bet Shemesh complex, which will host international tournaments.