This past September, Phil Rognier travelled to Morocco, West Spain, and Portugal in order to establish satellite teams/programs and expand the FirstSwing credo as well as provide overseas opportunities for the Klouters program (see below). What follows is Coach Phil's recap...

by Phil Rognier, Executive Director, First Swing Foundation

Prior to visiting Portugal, FirstSwing contacted a number of organizations regarding the possibility of establishing FirstSwing camps/clinics and play days in Lisbon.  Why Lisbon?  I had been there and loved the people, food, climate, and geography.

The first contact was made with the Lisboa Basebol Clube. This is a team in Lisbon that is composed of senior players (21+) who are very passionate about the game and invited me to meet with them. Hence, in mid-September I arrived in Lisbon and met their representative, Renato Espirito Santo. Renato is a 'baseball nut' and fervent about the game. He and his team were very receptive to ANY ideas re: improving his game (catcher), his team, and to provide training for the Portuguese youngsters/ball players. Renato believes there are many young players who want to learn the game but the game has been slow to gain interest with such a dearth of fields, equipment, teams, coaches, and basic instruction.

We visited many schools, athletic sites, parks, etal and did not find ONE baseball field. The predominant sport, as in most of Europe, is futbol (aka soccer).  There are games everywhere and fields galore. Every age is playing and in the streets, parks, yards, and parks.  Renato explained there is only one true baseball diamond in Portugal and that is in the northern part near Porto. There is a Portuguese Basebol Federation but it does not have the financial assets nor the sponsorship/support in order to build fields or baseball facilities. All the teams and players wanting to play baseball and even softball must do so on abbreviated soccer fields. The good news is most of these are well maintained and turf.


Renato took me to a White Shark Basebol Clube practice. He was playing for them as his own team did not make the senior playoffs and the Sharks needed a catcher for the Portuguese World Series. The final series was due to begin in a couple of days so we travelled to Almada(across the “mini” Golden Gate Bridge) to attend a White Shark practice.  The team is mostly 21-30 year olds who really want to play.  They work hard at it, and have U.S. baseball gear, and use wood bats.  The bat of choice is the new Bamboo prototype as it is reasonable in price and tends to break less than ash/maple.  Practice was held in the Olympic Training Facility in Almada on a Friday night after they got off from work.  The stadium is very nice with a beautiful turf soccer field in the center. 

The team sets up in one of the corners and has its workout among joggers, soccer players, kids running, and other sports enthusiasts as the facility is open to the general public each day and night. This particular practice was held in the stadium as the field was available.  Generally the teams practice on the hammer throwing practice site.  This is a real 'gem'.  It is an old dirt field that has zero maintenance, AND has a “mile-high” dirt pile (mountain?) in the middle…or where centerfield would be! This must stay there as the hammer throwers use it to stop their hammers from rolling and will not have it removed; hence it truly is 'dead center'.

Though the teams do not have formal baseball diamonds and facilities, most games and some practices are conducted on fairly nice soccer fields.  The teams set up a portable backstop in one corner of the turf fields and use drop-down bases, mounds(flat), and home plates.  The bases/mound are regulation distances but the outfield is quite an anomaly.  Left field is wide open, center somewhat open, but right field is very short.  The “short porch” would be “homer heaven” in the states!!  As a result, the teams have created ground rules that establish a certain distance to be a home run in right field.  If it goes out of the field of play in right field, the majority of these hits are ground-rule doubles!   The umpires are very new at the game and pose another interesting facet to the game.  Despite all these less than perfect conditions, the teams play hard and love the game.  It was inspiring to watch these ball players and to see their passion for the game.


As a result of the visit, the FirstSwing Foundation has committed to supporting the established teams in Lisbon and Portugal in their 'dream' of improving baseball in general and in providing viable learning environments for youngsters.  In November, there was a one-day clinic (free) that attracted over 100 youngsters in Lisbon.  Albeit, there was very little equipment, each player batted once, played defense, and was instructed in very basic skill sets.  They LOVED it!!!  FirstSwing has begun to collect equipment/gear for all ages and is providing lesson plans for the fundamentals of the game.  The curriculum is for kids 3-18 and includes conditioning, the mental aspect, vision drills, balance drills, and other fun baseball concepts. 

We are scheduled to travel to Lisbon in September 2008 in order to conduct a week long baseball camp and a number of clinics.  The following year, the Klouters will send their oldest team to play games as well as teach the game to other youngsters.  It will be a baseball-cultural exchange designed to share ideas, work together, and have FUN playing a great game. FirstSwing is looking forward to empowering the Portuguese teams to grow and learn the game.  It is our hope that many others will learn to enjoy our national pastime as well as learning many of 'life’s little lessons'.  Baseball may not change the world, BUT it can change a youngster’s life.



The FirstSwing Foundation (see pop-up bio) is expanding its exposure with its Klouter youth baseball program. The Klouters are a group of young ball players and their families that play for the 'love of the game' and work hard to keep the game in the proper perspective. The families are 'chosen' and the teams are not 'select'.  At the current time there are four age groups, 9U, 10U, 11U, and 12U.  The ages are determined by Little League standards. Each Klouter is encouraged to play three(3) sports, maintain an A grade average, do 20-24 hours per month of community service, and to "Be a Hero at Home".  This unique program teaches the lessons of life within a baseball environment and competes against teams at the highest level. ALL players play in every game and if a player has a prior commitment (family affair, school event, music lesson, etc.) he/she is excused without penalty. Baseball is part of a Klouter’s life not all of it!