Team Israel is heading to the A Pool of the European Championships in Bonn, Germany in early September, on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Finishing in the top 5 in the tournament will take Team Israel straight through to the Olympics qualifiers in Italy.

Let's hear from team member Alon Leichman, a product of Israel Baseball and currently a pitching coach for the Seattle Mariners organization.

Bio

• Age: 30
• Height:1.74cm
• Weight: 86kg
• RHP
• Current Team: Team Israel

A brief history

I grew up playing at Kibbutz Gezer under Lee Siegel. My first Israel national team was at age 10. I played for the Israel Baseball League (now definct) in 2007, with the champions Bet Shemesh. MLB academy in 2008 in Italy, Prague Eagles in 2009-2010. Studied at Cypress college in California in from 2012, then transferred to UC San Diego, graduating in 2016. Played in a Mexican league the fall after college as well as in the Israel Association of Baseball for the Tel Aviv Comrades Premier League team.

Your standout moment as a player for Team Israel

When we played in Israel in the European Championships B Pool in 2011 in front of 3,000 fans. Then watching Shlomo (Lipetz) go14 innings against England on 2 days rest.

Your baseball mantra

Try to take every day on the field as a learning experience.

What you are most looking forward to in Germany

Getting on a bus to Italy.

You’re a fan of…

Traveling and good food