Editor's Note: Pete Caliendo is no stranger to the pages of WebBall or to ball fields around the world. This latest article starts with a news report announcing Pete's involvement with the Beijing Olympics, followed by a brief Q&A between Pete and WebBall's Richard Todd after the Olympics concluded.

by Matt Harness, August 7, 2008, submitted to WebBall by Pete Caliendo

In a country where baseball is about as popular as political dissent, Peter Caliendo faces a difficult task. He's charged with introducing America's pastime to the Chinese and educating them on the finer points of baseball for the Beijing Olympic Games.

He started last summer with his first visit to the city as one of the International Baseball Federation's technical commissioners, a volunteer post he was appointed to last year. The president of Caliendo Sports International and consultant for Buffalo-Grove based Sports Academy Northwest then returned in March as part of Major League Baseball's contingent for a Dodgers-Padres exhibition game.

"Our goal is to make baseball a fan favorite in China," said the baseball veteran, who played at UIC, later worked closely with the Schaumburg Flyers and has extensive experience in expanding the sport across the globe.

"It's tough. Beyond the technical issues of building the stadium, training the umpires and setting the stage for exciting competition, we must teach the Chinese the game and get them to fall in love with a sport which most have never seen." After all, in a country of 1.3 billion people, estimates are fewer than 10,000 Chinese play baseball.

"The first two times there we were trying to make sure the Chinese understand the game," said Caliendo, who returns to Beijing on Friday for the start of the Games. "We were trying to make sure the games are entertaining."

Communication remains one of the challenges Caliendo and his team must tackle. The IBAF wants to ensure everyone involved - coaches, players, officials and fans - comprehends the rules and the nuances of baseball.

Different culture

"It's still an American game," Caliendo said. "Sometimes these issues take longer to address."

Once he arrives in China, Caliendo will spend time in meetings and visiting the facilities in a final effort to secure success. Baseball begins Wednesday when all eight teams (USA, Cuba, Canada, Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, China and Taipei) enter round-robin play before the top four teams advance to the medal round Aug. 22.

When the games finally start, Caliendo and the IBAF team plan to soak up the scene from behind home plate, close enough to troubleshoot any last-minute complications.

"International baseball is one of the funnest things you can be part of," he said. "The level of uniqueness from all the people proud of their countries is fun to watch and be involved in."

with Pete Caliendo and Richard Todd

RT: Pete, in your previous report it said you planned to "soak up the scene from behind home plate, close enough to troubleshoot." So what complications came up that show the continuing international challenge?

PC: The Games went great over all. We had a few minor issues, some rules that the teams did not know about, did not read. We took a small beating with the new rule when tied after 10 innings, just because people did not understand we were trying to speed up the game, end it quicker, a complaint of the IOC and one reason baseball is elimintaed in 2012. Early on the games were not starting on time due to the pre-game festivity schedule. We took that over and then everything went great.

RT: As a viewer at home, it seems one of the problems was the TV shot selection — some plays like balks (quick-pitch) were missed by the camera replays. Where there specific plays/rules that caused greatest concern from where you watched?

PC: Maybe whoever was televising it did not have experience with baseball games. One thing we had to deal with were replays. TV networks wanted to show replays and we had to explain you can show them as long as they are not close plays. Lighting was also a problem. It took over an hour to get the lights on because the officials had to go through several levels of decision makers. So we started asking for the lights two hours before, which took care of that issue.

RT: Considering that baseball is played in over 60 countries, and that many of the top player sources in the MLB were not represented (i.e. the D.R. Venezuela, Puerto Rico) and that there was no European team,
did this hurt both interest level and future potential?

PC: First, over 100 countries play baseball, Europe was represented by the Dutch who have a good team, they lost their closer prior to the event when he tested for doping, fainted, fell and got hurt. This was the strongest field ever in the Olympics for baseball. The qualifier system was changed to assure this. Of course many good teams from the Americas do not make it because the qualifier for them has a lot fo good teams, only 3 make it. Also, Australia has a very good team and they did not qualify.

RT: To put it another way, after considering that the event involved only 8 countries, do you think there is much chance for reinstatement for 2016?

PC: The IBAF, MLB and USA baseball have been working very hard in getting baseball back in the Olympics, the success of this Olympics, great games, competitive games, great venues, lots of fans will help. There are other issues to settle but we have a very good chance. The vote was close last time and some great efforts are being made to try and get the game back in the Olympics.

RT: Not to stay too "heavy" on topics - were there any light moments, personal memories of the event that will stick in your mind? 

PC: When USA and China had issues during the game, two Chinese catchers were taken out by collision, one very questionable, American batter being hit in the face intentionally, etc. But then at the end of the game they both came out and shook hands.

Also, the ending, bases loaded, 9th inning, 1 out, Korea up 3-2, Cuba is the home team, they can win or tie it, best hitter up, ground ball double play to end the game, it captured the essence of competition and showed how competitive the whole event was.

RT: Thanks, Pete, best of luck bring with future Olympic baseball!