The strategist shared his thoughts on finding solutions in difficult situations, Tomas Valinčius’ extraordinary achievement across the Atlantic, the emerging opportunity for the new generation, and the ambition to continue growing Lithuanian baseball.
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– After last year’s European Baseball Championship in Italy, you stated that the Lithuanian national team would return to play at this level. With the team facing numerous injuries, do you still remain optimistic before the tournament in Poland?
– Yes, I am always an optimist. If you didn’t believe in your team, there would be no point in participating in any tournament. This is not the first time in my coaching career that injured players cannot help the team. There was a period when we didn’t have Dovydas Neverauskas, the Valinčius brothers, or Edvardas Matusevičius, so I believe in the team this year too. I think that the number of stars in the lineup does not always directly determine the result.
– This summer, many players will not be able to help the national team. Which players’ absences are the most painful?
– Probably the most painful loss is Edvardas Matusevičius. He returned to baseball and became one of the leaders of the new generation national team. Of course, it’s painful about Vytas Valinčius, because I strongly believed in his progress even when I worked as an assistant coach for the national team. I sincerely want to help the Lithuanian national team continue to build this tower and strengthen the team, so the loss of every player is unpleasant.
– As many as 11 players will wear the Lithuanian national team jersey for the first time. What advice would you give to the national team debutants? What kind of boost do you think such a tournament can give their careers?
– We have 11–12 debuting players in the national team, but there are also returning players and a core of experienced players who, I hope, will set a good example for the newcomers. It is especially interesting that we have very young players. I would like them to wear the Lithuanian national team jersey for another twenty years, not just one or two. It is very important to help them integrate into the team and feel the team spirit. I really like their attitude. I am happy with these players and I think the tournament will be a very valuable experience for them.
– Tomas Valinčius debuted in the US college national team this summer. This is an impressive achievement for any player, especially one with Lithuanian roots, but it likely closes the door on seeing him in the Lithuanian national team jersey in the future. How do you evaluate Tomas’s achievement?
– This is a wonderful achievement. We should be proud of Tomas and the success of his entire family, as they all put an incredible amount of time and energy into baseball. Tomas will certainly not stop. We will always consider him a teammate and a Lithuanian. Perhaps someday he will still manage to wear our country’s national team jersey.
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– The first opponent for the Lithuanian national team in this tournament will be Slovakia, which recently played several solid matches in Prague. The Slovak club team also triumphed in the Federation Cup tournament held in Kaunas. How do you assess the level of Slovak baseball? What will be most important in the first matches of the tournament?
– It’s always tough for us against the Slovaks. Their clubs play not only in the local league but also in the Czech championship, which means that local players gain a lot of experience. Our goal is to start the tournament successfully, make as few mistakes as possible, stay focused, but also play relaxed. Starting such a short tournament with a win makes the rest of the week easier. We can’t wait to start and hope to strike first.
– Poland is Lithuania’s neighbor. Do you expect many Lithuanian national team supporters to come to Wrocław?
– Yes, I would like to receive a lot of support from Lithuania. Previously, the national team played in qualification tournaments every two years, but for the past four years, we have been competing every summer. I hope that the fans haven’t gotten tired of traveling with the national team yet (laughs). It is a great honor for us to wear these jerseys. We will fight for Lithuania and give our all on the field. We look forward to support in Wrocław, and those who cannot come, I know, will support us at home in front of their screens.
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Lithuanians will meet the national teams of Slovakia, Ireland, Norway, Poland, and Ukraine in the European Baseball Championship qualification tournament in Wrocław.
All matches of the tournament, starting on Monday, in which the Lithuanian national team will play, will begin at 11:30 AM Lithuanian time, with the exception of Thursday’s match against the host Poles – this match will start at 7:30 PM.
Final Lithuanian National Team Roster:
- #2 Audrius Beliauskas (Kauno „Lituanica“)
- #4 Vismantas Vailionis (BK „Vilnius“)
- #5 Justinas Račkauskas (Kauno „Lituanica“)
- #7 Kristupas Vansevičius (Utenos „Titanai“)
- #9 Braden Titas (Gilmour Academy Lancer Athletics, JAV)
- #10 Kajus Janušauskas (Kauno „Lituanica“)
- #11 Martynas Sadzevičius („Vilties liūtai“)
- #12 Deividas Tamaševskis (Kauno „Lituanica“)
- #13 Majus Jakubauskas (Kauno „Lituanica“)
- #18 Matas Sirgėdas (Borgerhout „Squirrels“, Belgija)
- #21 Deimantas Butkus (Kauno „SM Gaja-Lituanica“)
- #24 Romantas Trumpa („Vilties liūtai“)
- #26 Augustas Jansonas (BK „Vilnius“)
- #27 Dovydas Zakaras (BK „Vilnius“)
- #28 Adomas Aleksandravičius (BK „Vilnius“)
- #33 Rokas Bytautas (Kauno „SM Gaja-Lituanica“)
- #34 Zachary Titas (Gilmour Academy Lancer Athletics, JAV)
- #40 Andrius Stravinskas (Kauno „SM Gaja-Lituanica“)
- #52 Airidas Šukys (Kauno „Lituanica“)
- #55 Domas Kamandulis (Kauno „Lituanica“)
- #66 Dovydas Neverauskas („Bonn Capitals“, Vokietija)
- #67 Džiugas Gavrilčikas (Kauno „Lituanica“)
- #69 Domas Pauliukevičius (Kauno „Lituanica“)
- #77 Gytis Jakubaitis (RDV / „Vilties liūtai“)
Head coach will be assisted by assistant coach Ethan Skuija, first base coach Marius Balandis, third base coach Will Swindling, and pitching coach Corey Lee.
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