The first ever International Stars team was assembled for the 2013 Prague Baseball Week, with roster additions and subtractions just moments before games were set to begin, no one, knew what to expect. The coaching staff was comprised of Andy Berglund, Roving Instructor for MLB in Europe and former Head Coach of the Czech National Team, and Justin Prinstein, player-manager for Hrosi Brno in the Czech Extra-League and Head Coach of the Hungarian National Team. The team was compiled of international imports from around Europe as well as a select group of European players headlined by Czech baseball legend Pavel Budsky and James McOwen, who holds the California League (A+) consecutive-games hitting streak record with 45. The roster featured players from six different countries coming from various leagues around Europe (Czech, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, France).
With the first day washed out due to rain – the team, which was comprised of 25 players who had never met, got a little caught up in the legendary Czech night life and that may have factored into dropping their first game against the Czech Junior (U-18) National Team by a score of 8-5. The Stars rallied the next two days by knocking off defending champs AIST from the U.S. by a score of 6-4, beating the German National Team 10-7, and shutting out the National Team of Slovakia 10-0 to earn a birth in the Championship game against the home Czech National Team. American Harry Glynne, on loan from the German National Team, started the championship game and went 7 strong innings allowing just 3 runs and giving the Stars a great chance of victory. After a 2-run Homer by American Shortstop Travis Bass to give the Stars a bit of a cushion, Bass then took to the mound to pitch the final two innings and close out the game and secure a 5-3 win for the International Stars, their first Prague Baseball Week Championship.
Bass won MVP of the tournament by batting .400 with 14 Total Bases, 6 RBI, and a HR at the plate and pitching 3 quality innings in relief during the tournament, not allowing a run, and earning the save in the championship game.
Other top performers from 2013:
RHP Jason Daniels (USA) from Kotlarka Prague – Czech Extra-League – 6 IP, 2 ER, 10 K, 1 BB, 2 H and a win.
RHP Chris Metzger (USA) from Rouen Huskies – French First League – 4 IP, 0 ER, 9 K, 1 BB, 1 H – in relief.
RHP Pat Haugen (USA) from Mainz Athletics – German Bundesliga – 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 K, 2 BB, 3 H and a win.
OF James McOwen (USA) from Heidenheim – German Bundesliga – .412 BA, 15 TB, 5 2B, 1 HR, 4 SB, 5 BB, 4 RBI
OF Matt Martin (USA) from Paderborn Untouchables – German Bundesliga – .333 BA, 10 TB, 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 runs
INF Jorin van Amstel (Netherlands) from HCAW Bussum – Dutch Head Class – .313 BA, 3-3 SB, Excellent defense
Highlights of the 2013 Prague Baseball Week from Czech National TV: