Group C: Stockholm Sundbyberg, Sweden
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Stockholm Sundbyberg Stadium Information :
Orvallen Stadium
Orsvangen, Sundbyberg
The field Örvallen is under reconstruction and will be finalized in early August. The field has undergone a complete transformation into an IBAF approved field with full TV lights, dimensions of 98-122-98 meters, wall padding and all specifications according to the IBAF rules.
Due to the high costs of renovations though, the construction of the main spectator area has been limited and rescheduled. We will therefore only have temporary bleachers for 2,436 spectators around the venue. This also means that the field does not have locker rooms adjoining the dugouts, the locker rooms are 75 meters from the field.
Since the field is in such close approximity to the hotel, we kindly suggest that you use the hotel for change of clothes and showers after the game.
Weblink: www.basebollvm09.se
E-mail info@basebollvm09.se
Ticket sales starts May 18th at www.ticnet.se
Click Below for Ticket Information and Sundbyberg Contact Information:
iof1.idrottonline.se/templates/Page.aspx
Sweden (Sundbyberg)
The mid nineteenth century saw a massive influx of people move towards a relatively small, agricultural region north west of Stockholm known as Sundbyberg (Roughly 15 minutes away via train). The arrival of Anders Petter Löfström in 1853, who has been called by many the “founder” of Sundbyberg, spurred the beginning of the town’s industrial establishment. Löfström purchased the estate known as "Sundbybergs Gård,” and nearly all of the towns other mansions. (Löfström). After catching word that a railroad was being built, Löfström lobbied for a stop to be developed in Sundbyberg. To get Sundbyberg on the map, Löfström sold land affordably, and began to attract businessmen to open their factories and mills in the town (Löfström). Ultimately, Sundbyberg was able to gain its rights in order to become an independent town in 1927 (Löfström). Through out the course of its modern history, Sundbyberg has been the topic of numerous books, songs and television shows, also with gaining a prestigious reputation for its beauty and cleanliness (Löfström). Despite being the smallest city in Sweden, Sundbyberg is the most densely occupied, with an estimated population of roughly 34,000 inhabitants, in spite of only being approximately 8.8 kilometers (Sundbybergs Stad).
Athletics are revered and taught in Sweden immeasurably. Nearly half of all Swedes belong to some form of an athletic club. Like many of Sweden’s neighboring countries, Hockey reigns supreme. The Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation (SBSF), organizes and operates nearly all of Sweden’s baseball programs (Pälviä). Their jurisdiction includes overseeing aspects of grass root operations, Little-League type programs, amateur leagues, and national team competition. Due to the nature of the weather in Sweden, baseball is rarely played nationally through out the winter months. “Can you imagine playing baseball at zero degrees and with snow in the air? That’s what the guys have to do at the end of our season but they do it willingly and happily and they never complain because they love this sport so much,” states Swedish General Manager Ulf Steinvall (IBAF).
Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles is five islands that surround the Caribbean Sea, and claim lineage to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The five islands are divided into a northern group and a southern group. The northern group is called the Windward Islands and contains the islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarteen, which is the Dutch portion of Saint Martin, shared with France (Department of State). Aruba was once part of the Antilles but was granted independence in 1986 (DOS). The Leeward Islands are Bonaire and Curaçao (DOS). The population of the islands is roughly 225,000 and growing at a moderate rate (Info). A tropical environment, the Netherlands Antilles are a renowned tourist spot. This accounts for the vast majority of the islands’ wealth and revenue. The official language of the Antilles corresponds with it’s mother land’s and is subsequently Dutch. Both groups of islands were discovered in the late 15th century by Spanish conquistadors (Wikipedia). They were then overtaken by the Dutch West India Company in the 17th century and used most prominately for military purposes (Wikipedia). In 1954 the islands became a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, rather than simply a set of islands. Recently, the Antilles have sought to attain new constitutional statuses within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which will either separate or closen the islands to the Netherlands depending upon their respective wishes (Wikipedia).
The 2008 Summer Olympics saw the Netherlands Antilles compete in the Men’s 100 and 200 meter sprints, the Men’s 10 meter air pistol shooting, and Men’s 50 meter freestyle swimming. Despite modest results, none should bat an eye at the accomplishment in itself that the Antilles being present in the games fulfilled. The Netherlands Antilles have produced several professional baseball players. Many have gone on to play in the Hoofdklasse Honkbal, which is the highest professional baseball league in the Netherlands and is overseen by the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (Baseball-Reference). A select few such as Andruw Jones, Wladimir Balentien, Jair Jurrjens, and Randall Simon have had successful careers playing for Major League Baseball teams in the United States (Baseball-Reference).
Korea
Korea, or ‘The Land of the Morning Calm,’ is located in eastern Asia, bordering the north eastern tip of China, the Sea of Japan, and the East China Sea. Korea is the home of roughly 24,000,000 people and at the conclusion of World War II, was split into two parts: Communist North Korea and Republic South Korea (Wikipedia). The nation was seperated at the 38th parallel by the United Nations in an effort to maintain order between the two sides. Korea’s main religion is Buddhism, and its major agricultural products are rice, barley, vegetables, fruit, cattle, and pigs. (Korean Kulture). Despite the controversial nature of North and South Koreas relationship, tourism has actually increased in the recent years due to the scenic natural landscapes, including the caves of Danyang and the Samcheok and the beaches of Haeundae and Mallipo (Asian Rooms). The ancient capitals of Seoul and Buyeo are sought by tourists as well (Asian Rooms).
Korea’s national sport is Taekwondo, which is quite unconventional, yet a microcosm of the vast landscape of sport played and practiced in the country. Korea has produced world class talent in the likes of golf, tennis, archery and tennis (Korea.net). In terms of baseball, the Korean Baseball Organization is the country’s professional baseball league and is stationed in South Korea (Baseball-Reference). The KBO was founded in 1982 and has eight teams (Baseball-Reference). Like most football clubs, the teams are named after the companies or organizations that own them. Korea has a long, decorated list of distinguished players, many of whom have played at the pinnacle of professional competition. The list includes the likes of Chan Ho Park, Byung-Hyun Kim, and Shin-Soo Choo (Wikipedia).
Canada
“The True North and Strong Free” nation, Canada has a rich, diverse history that has evolved quite uniquely over the years. The earliest settlers in Canada are thought to be tribes from Asia who used the Bering Strait to settle (Spain Exchange). In 1534, Jacques Cartier made the “first claim” for France in Canada, and about 20 years later, Canada was declared a French province (Spain Exchange). Canada shares many agricultures marvels with the United States, such as the Great Lakes, the Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls (WorldAtlas). It is also appealing to tourists for its exceptional hunting and fishing confines, tremendous national parks and popular metropolitan cities including Quebec, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Canada is known globally for being one of the Hockey meccas of the world. Along with the aforementioned countries however, Canada has strong ties with the game of baseball. Baseball Canada is the main governing body for the sport through out the mainland. It handles tournaments, grassroots operations and oversees the overall quality of the game (Baseball Canada). Many feel that baseball’s roots in Canada directly correspond to its roots in the United States. With the rise of popularity of the game in the states in the mid 19th century, a similar rise was taking place on the horizon in Canada. Countless Canadians have been talented and fortunate enough to pursue professional baseball careers. Historically, some of the most famous named include former Cy Young winner Ferguson Jenkins from Ontario, and former National League Most Valuable Player, Larry Walker hailing from Maple Ridge, British Columbia (Baseball Almanac). Baseball’s active Canadian superstars include the likes of Boston Red Sox Outfielder Jason Bay, from British Columbia, Milwaukee Brewers Outfielder Ryan Braun, from Ontario and Los Angeles Dodgers Catcher Russell Martin, also from Ontario (Baseball Almanac).
