Russia

Russia is the largest country in the world covering over 6.6 million square miles and spanning 11 time zones. It’s the world’s ninth most populous country with a population of 145.4 million people. At its political center is the nation’s cosmopolitan capital, Moscow, located on the Moskva River. Moscow’s historic sights abound starting with the Kremlin, a complex home to the Russian president and tsarist treasures in the Armory. Beyond the Kremlin walls lies Red Square, home to Lenin’s Mausoleum, the State Historical Museum, and St. Basil’s Cathedral with its colorful onion-shaped domes. And now we are going there to play baseball!

Sound interesting? Then here's your chance! Plans are now finalized for our baseball road trip to Russia, so now is the time to gear up if you plan to join us. Offering extensive sightseeing and baseball camaraderie, we are now signing up players for this exciting trip, so don't miss out.

   Interested in joining us? Well the requirements are simple.  First, the ability and desire to play baseball in a unique international setting.  Second, an interest in international goodwill and sportsmanship (e.g. if you swing the bat at the ump after a called strike three, please try fantasy baseball).  Third, an adventurous spirit willing to venture forth into historic and forbidden Russia.

What’s involved in this once in a lifetime opportunity? First, you will depart America on May 6th and arrive in Moscow the next day where you'll take a cab to the Marriott Novy Arbat Hotel. After a night of rest, we will begin our baseball exploits playing four or five games in the Moscow area against local adult 40+ and 50+ Russian amateur baseball teams.  

By now you are probably asking yourself how you could be so lucky to have the opportunity of a lifetime and play baseball in Russia? Well, it’s time to come back to earth as every dream has its price, but this one’s reasonable. The cost for each player in a double room is $2495 and the cost for a tourist in a double room is $2295.  Single rooms are $2995.   Final payment is due March 1st after which no refunds will be given.

What's included in this price? A whole lot on this trip including:

• Hotels with breakfast,

• All baseball games, umpires and fields including transportation to and from the field,

• Baseball games in the Moscow area,

• The extensive sightseeing program shown below that includes the Kremlin, Red Square, St Basils, Tsaritsyno, Sergiev Posad, Novodovichy, and Izmailovskiy Market,

• Several lunches during our sightseeing program,

• A Moskva River Cruise for our final banquet, and

• Our official Russia road trip polo shirt.

What isn’t included in this wonderful invitation? First, you are free to choose your own airline to travel roundtrip to Moscow as no international airfare is included in the above prices. Please do not purchase your airplane ticket until you are notified that we have a full team. Second, you must get your own passport if you do not already have one or if yours has expired. Note that your passport must be valid for 6 months after our trip and have at least two blank pages. Third, each player must bring 6 new leather game baseballs and 1 used practice ball. Finally, each player will be responsible for bringing their own Foreign Devils uniform, gray uniform pants, metal or wooden bat, batting helmet, and glove. If you don't own a Foreign Devils uniform (a jersey and cap), they are available for purchase thru the website. Finally, American citizens must have a visa to enter Russia (details on acquiring a visa will be provided). Now is the time to sign up if you don't wish to be left out.
Please note that travel insurance is not included in our trip, but it is recommended that you consider purchasing travel insurance in case you have a last minute medical or personal problem arise as there are no refunds. Most will cover international travel insurance, emergency medical care, medical evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage/personal item loss and delay, and 24/7 worldwide assistance. Travel insurance companies used by our players in the past include Insure My Trip, Medex Protects, Quote Wright, and Square Mouth. If you decide to purchase travel insurance rather than self-insure, please make sure it covers international travel as not all will.

Our Tentative Schedule

May 6th Friday: Leave the USA for Russia on the airline of your choosing.

May 7th Saturday: Arrive in Moscow and transfer to our hotel, the Marriott Novy Arbat.

May 8th Sunday: We’ll get acquainted with iconic Moscow sights including Red Square, Kremlin, St.Basil’s Cathedral, the Bolshoi Theatre, and Lenin’s Tomb. After lunch, we will visit several of the architecturally renown landmark metro stations around Moscow.

May 9th Monday: A visit to Sergiev Posad and the Trinity Lavra Monastery in a part of the legendary Golden Ring of Russia and a unique architectural masterpiece protected by UNESCO World Heritage organization. It is the main acting Orthodox monastery (also “called Russian Vatican”) and played a significant role in the history of Russia. Plus today is Victory Day (or May Day as you know it), so the skies will be full of fireworks tonight!

May 10th Tuesday: Explore the Kremlin is the heart of Moscow, the origin of the Russian statehood and the most visited tourist attraction in Moscow. The Russian President Residence and the largest acting castle (by territory) in Europe has absorbed the mix of medieval history, unique architecture, Orthodox religion, Tsars and Soviet heritage, Imperial treasures and many others.

May 11th Wednesday: We’ll travel out of Moscow to Tsaritsyno, a palace museum and park reserve founded in 1776 by Catherine The Great. Afternoon 3pm game #1 versus the Red Square Devils.

May 12th Thursday: Today we’ll explore the famous landmarks of Moscow and scenic views around the city center including a perfect postcard view of the Kremlin from the Patriarch Bridge, entering the magnificent Cathedral of Christ the Saviour to discover its ‘hidden gem’, the picturesque walls of Novodevichy Convent, a stroll through the Victory Park and Arbat street, and the view from the observation deck of Sparrow Hills. Afternoon 3pm game #2 against the Moscow Tsars.

May 13th Friday: A tour of the Soviet park of VDNKh. The name stands for Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy Vystavka Dostizheniy Narodnovo Khozyaystva (abbreviated VDNKh) and it is a permanent general purpose trade show and amusement park. Afternoon 3pm game #3 versus the Matryoshka Dolls

May 14th Saturday: A morning visit to the Izmailovskiy Market where you can buy matryoshka, antiques, furniture, old books, objects from the former USSR, Russian hats with ear flaps, Cossack sabers, Soviet medals, World War Two memorabilia and even an astronaut costume (in Kelpin’s size) at the best prices in town. Afternoon 3pm game #4 versus Cosmonauts.

May 15th Sunday: Morning 10am game #5 against the Kremlin Cossacks. In the afternoon, we will embark on the Radisson boat tour to see the main attractions of Moscow from the board of a luxurious Radisson yacht while enjoying our farewell banquet dinner.

May 16th Monday: Leave for the USA as international baseball stars!