Oct. 8, 2008

LOWELL - The UMass Lowell baseball team will travel to Sweden for a 10-day tour, featuring a three-game series with the Swedish national team, Aug. 22-Sept. 2, Head Coach Ken Harring announced.

The team will fly from Boston to Stockholm Saturday, Aug. 22 and will face the national team on Aug. 28, 29 and 30 in the capital city. The River Hawks are also expected to face several club teams to be announced.

"This is an opportunity to see how baseball is played in another country," Harring said. "It is going to be a team-building experience where we will play baseball in another part of the world and learn about the customs of another country."

The trip is the result of a series of talks between Harring and representatives of the Swedish Baseball-Softball Federation which began at the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Convention.

"They are always looking for U.S. teams to play," Harring added.

Harring, whose grandfather immigrated to the U.S. from Sweden, has already begun fundraising efforts.

The Swedish Baseball-Softball Federation was founded in 1956 and currently has more than 1,000 registered players. Sweden served as the host country of the European Baseball Championship in 1993.

More recently, Sweden placed sixth in both the 2007 European Championship and Olympic Qualifier, and fourth in the 2003 Euro Qualifier.

"We are thrilled to be hosting the UMass Lowell team in the Stockholm area," said Kristian Palvia, General Secretary of the SBSF. "For us, it is an important part of our final preparations for the 2009 Baseball World Cup, which we will be co-hosting."

Stockholm is one of several European cities serving as host of the 2009 Baseball World Cup.

"I've thought about doing something like this ever since I got into coaching," Harring said. "This is a real opportunity for the players to have the trip of a lifetime. I am hopeful we can reciprocate some day."