The Irish American Baseball Society has issues with the runnning of the game in Ireland. The IABS duly asked questions of the game's governing body in Ireland, Baseball Ireland. It did so in a statement recently published in the Echo.
The society called for the removal "of a controversial quota policy that prevents Irish American dual citizens from playing on Ireland's National Baseball Team — a policy the group says is costing Ireland a shot at the World Baseball Classic."
The society was supported in its position by the Ancient Order of Hibernians which also released a statement carried by the Echo.
Baseball Ireland has responded and here is that response from Baseball Ireland spokesman, Mike Kindle.
"Regarding the article that was published, there are several inaccuracies and untruths. Firstly, it should be noted that Baseball Ireland is the internationally recognised National Governing Body by the World Baseball & Softball Confederation and the International Olympic Committee.
"The mission of Baseball Ireland is to grow and develop the sport of baseball on the island of Ireland. This means developing new programs and strengthening existing programs of Baseball Ireland that will improve the quality of the baseball experience for all, by growing participation, improving playing standards, developing facilities, and providing top rate coaching. You can find a wealth of information about the who, what and why of Baseball Ireland on our website www.baseballireland.ie
"Secondly, the article points out that Baseball Ireland has "imposed limits on how many dual citizens can compete for the National Team." This is untrue. Anyone who qualifies for the Ireland National Baseball Team and wants to try out for the Ireland National Baseball team need only to contact Baseball Ireland and/or the Ireland National Team General Manager. We have published the selection process.
"Emerald Diamond International (EDI) and the Irish American Baseball Society (IABS) claim that dual citizens are being denied the opportunity to try out. This is not true. Anyone who qualifies and applies in time will be considered for selection.
"Whilst Baseball Ireland does have a policy of selecting a target number of domestic players to the team, this 'number' is not set in stone. For example, the Ireland National team competing at the European Championship Qualifying Tournament this summer will have more non-domestic players representing Ireland than domestic based players. Again, Baseball Ireland’s mission is to "grow and develop the sport of baseball on the island of Ireland" and not grow and develop the game abroad.
"Baseball Ireland is focused on developing players on the island of Ireland and believes that it should reward players on the island with the opportunity to represent Ireland, who are a part of our domestic programme.
"We do not believe that filling the roster, with players who have not contributed to the programme on the island of Ireland, will benefit our programme. How will a team of players who have never been a part of our programme, have never played in Ireland, have never contributed meaningfully to our programme benefit our developing young players?
"What message would we be sending to our domestic players if we deny them the opportunity to represent their country by telling them that, like domestically-based players in Israel or Great Britain, they will have to fight for one or two places on the team and, in effect, be token representatives on the roster? I want to reiterate, our responsibility is to develop and grow the game on the island of Ireland and that includes providing real opportunities for domestic players to represent their country.
"It should also be noted that in 2025, EDI/IABS forwarded Baseball Ireland the contact details of 19 players based in America for consideration to be selected to the Ireland National Baseball team. The selection committee contacted all 19 individuals to confirm interest and citizenship status and only four replied.
"EDI and IABS have also claimed that Baseball Ireland has implemented quotas for playing time during games on the National Team. This is completely false. The decision of the National Team Manager as to who plays and doesn’t play is his decision.
"Baseball Ireland, the Baseball Ireland Board and the National Team Selection Committee do not have any say in the starting lineups, pitching changes or playing time provided to players. This is and will always be the decision of the National Team Manager and his coaching staff.
"The article also states that 'Baseball Ireland has stopped providing guidance to qualified players on how they can obtain Irish citizenship.' This is untrue. Baseball Ireland’s mission statement is quite clear and we have not nor have ever provided guidance on Irish citizenship matters.
"Any right thinking individual would agree that if an individual truly wants to represent a country at an international competition, they should at the very least be able to conduct some basic investigations into how one can apply for and obtain citizenship. Baseball Ireland is not a Government Consulate. If it’s that important to someone that they want to obtain citizenship and represent a country for international competition, surely they can conduct a simple ‘Google’ query and find the information themselves.
"The article also states that 'should Ireland reach the World Baseball Classic, Major League Baseball (MLB) is expected to invest $300,000 in youth baseball development in the country.' Major League Baseball has not indicated to Baseball Ireland that they would invest $300,000 in Ireland youth baseball development should Ireland qualify for the World Baseball Classic.
"MLB is a business and provides funding to nations throughout the world but the vast amount of funding is directed towards nations with significant populations and large baseball programmes. For example, Italy and the Netherlands (both with professional leagues) receive a great deal of funding because they have very robust, mature and developed baseball programmes, which have been on the go since the end of World War II.
"MLB invests in programmes with substantial populations and markets. The Great Britain programme has evolved since the 1950s and has a market of nearly 60 million people and that doesn’t include all of the nations which were British colonies with residents eligible for UK citizenship. It makes sense for MLB to invest in such a programme. Does anyone actually believe that MLB will guarantee the same amount of money to Ireland that they would to a country with ten times the population?
"Baseball Ireland is committed to developing and growing the game of baseball on the island of Ireland. We have started to see the fruits of our labour with several young players who have grown-up in our programme receiving scholarships to play college baseball in the United States. This is real progress. This is real growth and development.
"Does anyone honestly believe that we should deny these young people the opportunity to represent their country because some people want every place on the National Team roster allocated to individuals who have never set foot on the island of Ireland?
"Baseball Ireland will always welcome non-domestic citizens to try out and compete for Ireland. Ireland’s history demands that we always consider the impact of emigration, the Irish diaspora and the rights of all Irish citizens to be part of what we are trying to accomplish.
"But we want anyone wishing to represent Ireland to buy-in and commit to our mission and our vision of growing the game on the island of Ireland and providing every young person in Ireland the opportunity to play baseball at all levels."
