Sellout Crowd Watches Israel Olympic Baseball Team Play Bethesda Big Train

The Israel National Baseball team defeated Bethesda Big Train Sunday under the lights before a sold-out crowd at the Shirley Povich Field days before heading to the Olympics in Tokyo.

During a Friendship game that featured “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” sung in Yiddish and food trucks with Jewish treats from Attman’s Potomac Deli and Schmaltz Brothers, the two teams played a close seven-inning game that ended with the Israel National team winning 8-7.

“For Team Israel to come to the U.S. capital as part of our tour has special significance for the team, as Israel and the United States are strong allies and this cooperation manifests itself in all fields,” Team Israel General Manager Peter Kurz wrote.

“We are so honored to be able to host the Israel National Baseball Team,” Bruce Adams, founder and president of the Bethesda Community Base Ball Club wrote on the back of the commemorative ticket.

Team Israel features former Major League Baseball players Ian Kinsler and Danny Valencia.

At the start of the game, the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School’s Shir Madness vocal group sang the national anthem of both countries. Many politicians attended the game, including Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, State Sen. Cheryl Kagan and Delegates Marc Korman and Jared Solomon, Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Gabe Albornoz, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board  Natali Fani-Gonzalex and former County Executive Ike Leggett.

That was an incredibly exciting game. We were thrilled to be able to host Team Israel in their preparation for Tokyo. Roll Train ‼️🚂 @ILBaseball pic.twitter.com/iFmM5ozNJq

— Bethesda Big Train (@GoBigTrain) July 19, 2021

Spectacular night to watch a ballgame in front of a standing room only, sold out crowd at Shirley Povich Field to watch a friendly between @ILBaseball and @GoBigTrain.

What a special event for our community to host. 🇺🇸⚾️🇮🇱 https://t.co/cXPH1YCApP

— Councilmember Andrew Friedson (@Andrew_Friedson) July 19, 2021

Flags of #Israel and #USA flying before the @IlBaseball–@GoBigTrain game! 🇮🇱🇺🇸

Nothing like baseball to being people together! Glad to have a chance to see them play before #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/oFZnQjg0FA

— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) July 19, 2021

We had an awesome game last night – the Israel National Baseball Team (on their way to the #Olympics2021 ) vs. @GoBigTrain – in a absolutely gorgeous field thanks to the @MontgomeryParks team!! So proud!!! PS: Bruce Adams is AMAZING!!! pic.twitter.com/V199lZMpjk

— Natali Fani-González (@NataliFGonzalez) July 19, 2021

Few people better to spend a night at a ballpark with! Congrats to Bruce Adams & the whole @GoBigTrain team for an amazing event w/ Team @Israel & @IsraelinUSA. https://t.co/SVA5NiAG0y

— Delegate Jared Solomon (@jaredssolomon) July 19, 2021

Fun and historic night last at Cabin John Regional Park as @GoBigTrain played Israel’s Olympic Baseball team in an exhibition before the Tokyo Games. Great game, great good, and wonderful crowd! pic.twitter.com/rRj5V22QC2

— Councilmember Gabe Albornoz (@albornoz_gabe) July 19, 2021

Hustlin’ like an Olympian 🥇

Top 7 now | Big Train 7️⃣, Israel 5@ECUBaseball #wearecurrentlybeatinganactualolympicbaseballteam pic.twitter.com/REC86yRu5a

— Bethesda Big Train (@GoBigTrain) July 19, 2021

RYLEY 👏 JOHNSON 👏 YOU 👏 ARE 👏 CLUTCH 👏

Bottom 6 | Big Train 6️⃣, Israel 5@ECUBaseball #clutch pic.twitter.com/wU8AUa4B5D

— Bethesda Big Train (@GoBigTrain) July 19, 2021

(Photo courtesy Maggie Laird/Bethesda Big Train)

About Suzanne Pollak

Suzanne is a freelance reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She has over 35 years professional experience writing for newspapers, magazines, non-profit newsletters and the web.

View all posts by Suzanne Pollak