Our Story
ISG Baseball, formerly International Sports Group, is a non-profit organization (details below) founded in 1985 by internationally renowned baseball coach Bill Arce. Bill’s passion to assist in the development and growth of youth baseball internationally led to the birth of ISG.
This dedication to the development of youth baseball internationally initially consisted of two programs: the first, organizing youth and college age teams to provide quality competition and player clinics in various European countries, and the second – in recognition that baseball would improve only when coaching improved – addressing the need for increasing the numbers and continuing the education of coaches of all levels. ISG confronted that challenge by conducting preseason instructional clinics in response to requests by many baseball and softball federations in Europe.
In the past decade, the off-season instructional clinics have become the main focus of ISG and have created a rich resume of exposing European coaches to some of the finest American college and professional coaches. Over the years the speakers have covered a wide variety of topics ranging from individual and team techniques to the psychological and biomechanical aspects of the game. Today’s speakers keep the European coaches up to date with the latest "cutting edge" teaching methods in the ever-evolving games of baseball and softball.
Internationally, baseball has grown rapidly. ISG Baseball’s mission is to aid individual clubs and federations in their rapid growth and development - assisting them with their coaching education programs by improving their lines of communication with baseball and softball experts.
The scope of ISG’s programs -- dedicated to reaching these goals -- is dependent upon corporate sponsorships and individual contributions. The current level of financial support has recently supported ten to twelve winter coaching clinics as well as a few in-season programs. None of ISG’s personnel are salaried. Continued support of our sponsors assists in ISG's commitment to the continued improvement of international baseball coaching.
International Sports Group, Inc. Tax ID # Federal - 33-02409050, California State # D-1589363
This dedication to the development of youth baseball internationally initially consisted of two programs: the first, organizing youth and college age teams to provide quality competition and player clinics in various European countries, and the second – in recognition that baseball would improve only when coaching improved – addressing the need for increasing the numbers and continuing the education of coaches of all levels. ISG confronted that challenge by conducting preseason instructional clinics in response to requests by many baseball and softball federations in Europe.
In the past decade, the off-season instructional clinics have become the main focus of ISG and have created a rich resume of exposing European coaches to some of the finest American college and professional coaches. Over the years the speakers have covered a wide variety of topics ranging from individual and team techniques to the psychological and biomechanical aspects of the game. Today’s speakers keep the European coaches up to date with the latest "cutting edge" teaching methods in the ever-evolving games of baseball and softball.
Internationally, baseball has grown rapidly. ISG Baseball’s mission is to aid individual clubs and federations in their rapid growth and development - assisting them with their coaching education programs by improving their lines of communication with baseball and softball experts.
The scope of ISG’s programs -- dedicated to reaching these goals -- is dependent upon corporate sponsorships and individual contributions. The current level of financial support has recently supported ten to twelve winter coaching clinics as well as a few in-season programs. None of ISG’s personnel are salaried. Continued support of our sponsors assists in ISG's commitment to the continued improvement of international baseball coaching.
International Sports Group, Inc. Tax ID # Federal - 33-02409050, California State # D-1589363
ISG Board Member Jim Jones Inducted into Czech Republic Baseball Hall of Fame
Long time ISG Board Member and Past President, Jim Jones, will become the first international coach to be inducted into the Czech Baseball Hall of Fame. He will become the 24th member of the Hall at a ceremony at the Eagles Baseball Softball Complex, Praha (Prague) at 6:00 PM on Friday, December 10, 2021.
Currently there are 23 members in this prestigious Hall. Jones will be the 24th. Igor Gargoš, the President of the Hall, will preside over the ceremony.
In 1991, Jim began his international experience by becoming coach in residence in Czechoslovakia as part of a joint IBA-MLBI program. Following that “Lone Ranger” assignment, he served with Bill Arce as MLBI’s Co-coordinator of Game Development in Europe. His duties there allowed him to over-see the selection and evaluation of Envoy Coaches assigned to various European federations as well as overseeing many of MLBI’s winter coaches’ clinics.
Jones has over 50 years of baseball coaching experience at the youth, high school, college, semi-pro and international levels. He served as assistant coach at Stanford University before becoming head coach at the University of Wyoming and St. Mary’s College (CA). Presently he is retired from teaching, and has served as an assistant baseball and golf coach at Oregon Tech.
Currently there are 23 members in this prestigious Hall. Jones will be the 24th. Igor Gargoš, the President of the Hall, will preside over the ceremony.
In 1991, Jim began his international experience by becoming coach in residence in Czechoslovakia as part of a joint IBA-MLBI program. Following that “Lone Ranger” assignment, he served with Bill Arce as MLBI’s Co-coordinator of Game Development in Europe. His duties there allowed him to over-see the selection and evaluation of Envoy Coaches assigned to various European federations as well as overseeing many of MLBI’s winter coaches’ clinics.
Jones has over 50 years of baseball coaching experience at the youth, high school, college, semi-pro and international levels. He served as assistant coach at Stanford University before becoming head coach at the University of Wyoming and St. Mary’s College (CA). Presently he is retired from teaching, and has served as an assistant baseball and golf coach at Oregon Tech.
THIS IS ISG BASEBALL
Board of DirectorsTom O’Connell, President
3829 S. Oakbrook Dr. Greenfield, WI 53228 414-704-5467 isgbaseball14@gmail.com Peter Caliendo, Vice-President PO Box 68013 Schaumburg, IL 60168 847-781-8039 petercaliendo@att.net Randy Town, Secretary-Treasurer 3736 N. Garey Ave. La Verne, CA 91750 909-964-8823 randy.town@claremontmckenna.edu Jim Jones 11430 Kestrel Road Klamath Falls, OR 97601 541-882-4253 isgbaseball@yahoo.com John Casey 42 Field Pond Rd. Milford, MA 01757 (508) 733-0521 john.casey@tufts.edu Pat Doyle 9666 Springfield Way Stockton, CA 95212 209-607-4048 doylemlb@aol.com John Vodenlich 4109 Oakmont trail Waukesha Wisconsin 53188 262-949-7128 vodenlij@uww.edu Ron Maestri 924 Beverly Garden Metairie, LA 70002 504-919-8211 r.maestri@aol.com |
Advisory Board
Evander Schley, Chairperson
Roger LaFrancois, St. Louis Cardinals Chris Carminucci, AZ Diamondbacks Steve Baker, MLB International Emeritus Dick Radatz Jr., Northwoods Collegiate League |
Founder:
William (Bill) Arce, Jr.
Former Baseball Coach, Athletic Director at Claremont McKenna College
1985
William (Bill) Arce, Jr.
Former Baseball Coach, Athletic Director at Claremont McKenna College
1985
