Imphal, November 04: Making an of the State's baseball players and coaches, Major League Baseball envoy coaches Jeff Brueggemann and David Palese gave high marks on attitude, dedication and passion for the game eliciting comparisons even with the South East Asian giants South Korea and Japan.

The two coaches are on their second visit to Imphal following an arrangement between one of the biggest sporting body on earth, the Major League Baseball of the United States of America and the New York based First Pitch, a non-profit organization committed to popularization of baseball in Manipur.

With an optimistic vision, First Pitch donated bulks of baseball equipment to the joy of all baseball enthusiasts and kids during the first coaching camp last year.

The second coaching camp got underway a couple of days ago.

The globetrotting Jeff, however minced no words on the remoteness of these players turning professional.

He said a professional change over needs huge financial investment but an amateur set up is not less valuable.

Recollecting his youth in Kansas, USA Jeff insisted that baseball was more than a career option suggesting it inculcated great virtues in life and led the teenagers from harms way.

He said, only exceptional talent can lead a player to the top league and in fact only a few are fortunate to make a living out of it.

However, the leadership skill and discipline it instills during adolescence is invaluable, he said.

Dave, who along with Jeff imparted coaching tips to 31 local coaches last fall, complimented the coaches and players on the long strides they have accomplished during the turn of the year.

Dave said he was amazed at the expanding base of the game and the commitment exhibited.

Manipur Baseball Association has now a burgeoning list of around 450 players and twenty affiliated clubs.

The state teams have won laurels in the national arena during the last few years.

First Pitch board member Somi Roy agreed that the next target is construction of a ball park, for which a plot of land in Lamphel has been earmarked and to turn Manipur into a centre of Indian baseball.

The lack of facilities and equipment appeared to be the only shortfall though the foreign coaches supposed it will be fulfilled with time.

One female local coach confided that though the players still have few career options, after the arrival of free equipment, courtesy First Pitch, baseball lovers have been mobilized and the proposed baseball park, whenever it comes up will be the next gratifying moment.

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