Art by Tom Forget

Hello! Welcome to the first edition of the new International Beat newsletter. I'm MLB.com's Michael Clair and I'm glad you're here. 

Baseball has no offseason. I mean, sure, Major League Baseball does -- there’d be no hot stove season without it -- but the game of baseball never stops. When much of the United States grows cold and snow leaves a heavy dusting over our ballfields, baseball is still there, ready to be played in warmer regions of the world. 

Earlier this month, the international signing period opened, with players from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Curacao, the Bahamas, Aruba, Haiti and Germany joining Major League clubs.

Later today sees the beginning of the Caribbean Series -- one of the greatest tournaments in existence with an in-stadium atmosphere that can’t be matched. Teams from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Curacao will all come together in Miami to battle for the title. Played from Feb. 1-9, the games will be broadcast on ESPN Deportes and in English on Bally Sports Florida, with coverage available on LasMayores.com and MLB.com. 

The Australian Baseball League, which has featured players as varied as Ronald Acuña Jr., Rays prospect Curtis Mead and women’s baseball fireballer Genevieve Beacom hosts its championship from Feb. 2-4. The Adelaide Giants will battle the Perth Heat with the Claxton Shield on the line. You can stream that for free on Baseball+. 

The Japanese winter league, in just its second year of existence, played host to many players from Japan's industrial and independent leagues, with over a dozen players from Baseball Jobs Overseas walking away with playing contracts at the end of the season. Expectations are that more players from the NPB, KBO, and CPBL will be joining the nascent league next year, further elevating the level of play. 

Back in November, we even saw the first pro baseball game in Dubai when Baseball United hosted its player showcase. Former Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval smashed a 6-run home run in that. 

That’s why we are launching this newsletter, which will be delivered to your inbox every month. Baseball is truly a global game, and whether you’re from a country with millions of baseball players and fans or just a few hundred, there are always great stories, great players, and great games to highlight. Some will feature Major Leaguers and those who dream of one day playing on the finely manicured lawns of the big leagues; others will be about baseball in a place that you never imagined it would find a home. (Bhutan, anyone?) 

As for why I’m writing this email? That’s simple: I love international baseball. I love the passion, people and professional-level play you’ll find in every corner of the globe. I was lucky enough to cover the World Baseball Classic from the Regensburg qualifiers – where Great Britain and Czechia stunned the world – to Tokyo and Miami, where the greatest players in the world faced off with the tournament on the line. I’ve traveled to the Czech Republic to write about everyone's favorite amateur underdogs, covered the Women’s Baseball World Cup group stage last summer and saw Spain get revenge at last fall’s European Baseball Championship – snagging its first championship since 1955 along the way. 

There’s a story to be found wherever baseball is played and I look forward to sharing these with you every month. You can find my social media accounts and email at the bottom of this newsletter, so please keep in touch. Send me your tips, hints, and thoughts on this great game. 

It’s a big world out there, so let’s play ball. Thanks for reading. 

Get ready for seven days of tripleheaders as the Caribbean Series starts this week (first pitch at 10:30 a.m. ET). There are plenty of firsts this time around, too: It's the first time that the tournament will be held at a Major League stadium, taking part inside the Marlins' loanDepot park; it's the first time that Nicaragua has been invited to participate; it's the first time that Yadier Molina will be there as a manager instead of a player, guiding the Criollos de Caguas from on the bench instead of from behind the plate; and it's the first time in 38 years that Tiburones de la Guaira will be representing Venezuela. No matter how it all shakes out, history will be made. 

David Venn has the preview en Español here and in English here. Get ready for plenty of baseball. 

Here are some recent International stories you might have missed over the past month: 

- I wrote about the special relationship that has developed between the Czech Republic and Japan ever since Ondrej Satoria struck out Shohei Ohtani in the World Baseball Classic. The latest: Young Czech ballplayer Milan Prokop just signed a professional contract with the Kanagawa Future Dreams of the Baseball Challenge League in Japan.

- What makes the ABL such a unique league, drawing in exciting MLB prospects, former big league veterans, and players from all over the globe? Adrian Garro has the story. 

- Here's an interesting piece from Jake Crouse on how the Pirates have upgraded their Dominican Republic facilities. 

- It's not necessarily an international story, but if you aren't intrigued by Matt Monagan's story about the 19th century Arctic baseball league, well, I'm not sure what you are excited by. 

- Over at FanGraphs, Davy Andrews also wrote about what it's like to attend a LIDOM game ... on the rare occasion when most fans didn't show up. 

- Finally, here's a story I wrote about the man -- and the mascot named Manny -- who are trying to turn Germans into baseball fans. 

Feb. 1-9: Caribbean Series

Feb. 1: NPB teams report to Spring Training

Feb. 2-4: ABL Finals

Feb. 13: MLB pitchers and catchers report

March 6-7: Japan vs. Team Europe

March 9-10: Dominican Series: Red Sox vs. Rays

March 20-21: Seoul Series: Dodgers vs. Padres

Just one issue in and I’m already breaking the rules by including two players this month. 

Though Colombia isn’t participating in this year’s Caribbean Series, Caimanes de Barranquilla pitcher Daniel Missaki definitely deserves inclusion. Of Japanese and Brazilian descent, Missaki first appeared in relief during the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers with Brazil as a 16-year-old, retiring big leaguers Jolbert Cabrera and Luis Martinez to help Brazil clinch an important victory. 

Now 27 years old and with experience in the Mariners and Brewers system under his belt, Missaki pitched a complete game shutout in the clinching Game 5 of the LPB Serie Final against the Vaqueros de Montería. Missaki gave up just one hit, walked none and struck out 11 to earn Series MVP honors. He recently signed a contract with the Diablos Rojos del México for the upcoming season. 

Our other award must go to Perth Heat legend, Team Australia captain, and noted firefighter Tim Kennelly. Not only did Kennelly break the all-time ABL home run record with his 61st home run during the season, but Kennelly went deep twice in a must-win playoff game to send the Heat back to the championship this winter. 

As his daughter said when leading a chant during the World Baseball Classic in Tokyo: “Let’s go, Daddy!”

See you next month. 

To subscribe to International Beat, visit this page and mark "International Beat" from our newsletter list.

For tips, hints, or just to talk about international baseball, find me @michaelsclair on X/Twitter and IG or email me at Michael.Clair@MLB.com.

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