ST. PETERSBURG — Standing in a circle, players of the National Baseball Team of Ukraine gripped each other’s hands and shouted, “U! Kraine!”
Their ranks comprise students, soldiers, fathers, professionals, and business owners, all united by a shared mission: to represent their country on the international stage.
Three years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict continues to escalate, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives, rubble of cities, and the displacement of millions.
Yet, in the midst of such profound tragedy, baseball has emerged as a beacon of hope, allowing Ukrainian players to demonstrate their resilience and pride in their homeland.
This week, the team is making waves in St. Petersburg, following a brief stay in New York where they played an exhibition game in Brooklyn.
At Baseball City in Walter Fuller Park, they faced off against the Bay Area Pro amateur team, clinching an 8–2 victory.
But the significance of the trip goes beyond just the score; it has offered the players a brief respite from the ravages of war, a moment of peace and normalcy that Coach Oleg Boyko described as priceless.
“It’s a wonderful experience,” Boyko said, embodying the spirit of the journey.
While baseball’s popularity in Ukraine pales in comparison to sports like soccer and basketball, the game has seen growth since the Ukrainian Baseball and Softball Federation was established after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Before that, Ukrainian teams began competing in 1989, signaling an early interest in the sport, as noted by WBSC Europe, which governs baseball and softball on the continent.
For some players, this tour marks their first visit to the United States, presenting an opportunity to explore a new landscape and illustrate the universal nature of baseball as a cultural connector.
For others, like pitcher and soldier Sergii Shtapura, the trip is a return to familiar territory.
In 2022, Shtapura and the Ukrainian team journeyed to New York to raise funds and gather donations aimed at restoring sports facilities devastated during the early months of the war.
At 31 years old, Shtapura used to focus solely on his baseball career in Germany before returning home to join the fight against the invasion.
His deep love for his country took precedence over personal ambitions, a sentiment echoed by many players.
“War is war, and there’s nothing good to say about it,” Shtapura noted, reflecting on the harsh realities faced by his family, as his father also serves in the military amid the ongoing conflict.
According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the war has claimed over 12,000 civilian lives and resulted in more than 27,000 injuries, alongside significant military casualties on both sides, further emphasizing the need for unity and hope in difficult times.
Shtapura’s presence on the team amidst such turmoil aims to illustrate that despite the chaos, connection, and solidarity are still achievable.
Hailing from Kropyvnytskyi, where a recent drone attack caused significant destruction in civilian areas, he underscores the importance of the tour.
“It’s not easy to leave your country, but I decided to come here because it’s important,” he expressed, recognizing the significance of their mission.
This tour was meticulously planned as part of a humanitarian initiative, according to Dimitry Sagalchik, who was instrumental in arranging the team’s return to the United States.
The team will stay until Friday, taking in games from the Clearwater Threshers and Tampa Bay Rays before their departure.
Kevin B. Smith, one of the key organizers and founder of OnPoint Sports Strategies, emphasized the effort put into making this tour a reality, which took 18 months to coordinate.
“Bringing young men out of the country at this time is not easy,” Smith stated, capturing the complexities involved in this mission.
Among the players is Ihor Lukin, 25, who has been part of the national team for five years.
For him, participating in this U.S. tour transcends personal achievement; it’s about showcasing Ukraine’s enduring spirit in the face of adversity.
Training has continued through the war for Lukin, with practices held weekly unless disrupted by air raid sirens or emergencies.
“It’s a good chance to show we’re here and representing our country,” he explained, further reinforcing a message of resilience shared by his teammates.
Boiko Andrii, an information technology specialist and six-year team veteran, articulated the pride felt in representing Ukraine’s people through their national team.
In his hands rested a bat emblazoned with the colors of the Ukrainian flag and inscribed with the words #gotobatforUkraine.
“Baseball is part of our lives,” Andrii stated resolutely.
“It gives us the strength to keep going,” illustrating the profound impact of the sport not only on their athletic pursuits but also on their broader fight for hope and survival.
image source from：https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/06/04/far-war-ukraines-baseball-team-finds-relief-st-petersburg/
