9.20.24
Episode 25
Baseball United's Vishnu Kalel on the Rise of Baseball in India
Vishnu Kalel, Baseball United’s Development Specialist for India, joins the show to share his inspiring journey from school teacher to nurturing some of the country’s top baseball prospects. He reflects on the moment he fell in love with the game and expresses deep gratitude for how Baseball United has enabled him to fulfill his dream of coaching young players. Vishnu provides insight into his role within the organization and shares his strong connection with Baseball United's Manager of Baseball Operations, Carlos Mirabal. He discusses the current state of baseball in India and the unique challenges of introducing the sport to a new market. Grateful for the support of Baseball United’s leadership and ownership group, Vishnu highlights their belief in his ability to elevate players to the next level. He reflects on last year’s All-Star Showcase, emphasizing the impact of his pupils, Akshay More and Saurabh Gaikwad, as they competed on an international stage alongside some of the game’s greatest. Looking ahead, Vishnu shares his excitement for the upcoming Baseball United Arab Classic (November 7-10, 2024) and the positive influence he believes it will have on the participating nations.
What We Discuss
- 0:30 Intro
- 1:21 Vishnu’s career before baseball
- 3:05 How Vishnu fell in love with the game
- 6:05 Getting involved with Baseball United
- 9:49 His relationship with Carlos Mirabal
- 11:17 Scouting and developing kids in India
- 13:10 The state of baseball in India
- 15:26 Impact of the AllStar Showcase on international prospects
- 17:09 How Baseball United empowers Vishnu to help kids
- 18:09 Working with MLB legends
- 20:44 Challenges of introducing baseball to new markets
- 22:04 Finding out he was joining Baseball United
- 24:13 Reflections on the 2023 AllStar Showcase and first stadium experience
- 29:21 Watching Akshay More compete in the showcase
- 34:22 The importance of developing baseball players in India
- 36:33 Significance of the Baseball United Arab Classic to India
- 37:32 Vishnu’s message to aspiring players in India
