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Sports

Tinley Bulldogs Face Off Against Team From United Arab Emirates in International Baseball First

Tinley Park opens its arms to baseball world as Bulldogs down the 12-under Falcons of the United Arab Emirates, 8-5. The two teams went at in a matchup that transcended the cultural divide between East and West on Thursday afternoon at Guenzi Field.

Even for the , an organization with 51 years experience running successful youth athletic programs, there is always room for a first.

On Thursday afternoon, the Bulldogs 12-under travel baseball squad became the first team in organization history to host an international baseball game. The Bulldogs defeated the visiting Dubai Falcons of the United Arab Emirates 8-5.

The teams first met last weekend at the Firecracker Classic, a tournament held annually in Naperville. The Falcons were approached by Bulldogs League Commissioner Kevin Anderson to see if the two teams could get together to play on the Bulldog fields before the Falcons were to fly out for a regional tournament in Poland.

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Each of the 11 boys competing from Dubai had a family member travel with the team, and with one family hailing from the Naperville area, the Falcons knew the Chicago metropolitan area was the perfect place to bring the team for competitive action. Dubai Little League President Greg Sproule has deemed the trip a success and has enjoyed watching his son play.

“Even before we played (in the Firecracker Classic), the Bulldogs invited us to come out to play on their field and spend an afternoon with their kids. We graciously accepted,” Sproule said. “We are overwhelmed with the hospitality of all the people from here and in Naperville.”

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With many military members from North America now living in Dubai, the game of baseball is just beginning to grow in popularity.

A native of Houston, Texas, Falcon’s manager Greg West said his team welcomes the chance to play in some competitive games.

“It’s a special trip," West said. "We don’t have a lot of tournaments (in Dubai), and we all wanted the boys to get some opportunities to come out and play baseball games. There are some teams in Dubai, but it’s just not that easy and conducive to play.

"In Dubai, we have to practice at night because it’s so hot. You just can't go out and do anything during the day. To come out here and see a little bit of rain is nice.”

West has lived in Dubai for three years. He works for an oil and gas service company. He said baseball only recently was introduced into the Dubai high school athletic system.

“With all the people from Canada and the U.S. in Dubai, baseball is our little slice of Americana," West said. "We are starting to get some local boys coming out, being introduced to the game. We have kids from Canada, India, Pakistan and the United States. We have a big flavor for kids from different areas.”

Even with two tournaments and countless games and practice sessions, the boys from Dubai somehow have managed to take in some sights and scenes from Chicago.

“We went to a Cubs game, a Sox game and Six Flags Great America," West said. "We’ve been busy every day. I’m pretty tired."

And while the Bulldogs downed the Falcons, the two teams quickly set aside their competitive juices. They planned to celebrate the occasion with a pizza party.

And Anderson was quick to point out the memories will last a lifetime.

“The kids don’t get too many opportunities to meet people from other cultures,” he said. "Just to let them meet, it’ll be a great time for them to run around, have fun and be kids.”

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