A trip to the World Baseball Classic in Miami started as a spring break idea for one St. Louis college student.
By Sunday afternoon, it turned into a front-row seat to a Team Israel victory.
“It was actually my son’s idea to get tickets to the WBC to see Team Israel play,” said Jon Baris, who traveled to Miami with his wife Melissa and their sons, Jacob and Danny.
With both sons home from college on spring break, the Baris family decided to turn the tournament into a family trip centered around watching Team Israel compete on baseball’s international stage.
A St. Louis connection on the field
A St. Louis connection on the field
The decision paid off at loanDepot park when Israel defeated Nicaragua 5–0 for its first win of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The victory was fueled in part by Noah Mendlinger, a prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, who collected three hits and drove in a run during the game. Medlinger is projected to start the season with the Double-A Springfield Cardinals.
For the traveling St. Louis fans, that Cardinals connection made the moment even more memorable.
The Baris family was part of a small group from Congregation B’nai Amoona that flew in to support Team Israel, joining thousands of fans from around the world gathered in Miami for the tournament.
A stadium full of Jewish pride
“It’s awesome being with other Jewish people and greeting each other like we are friends and community,” Baris said. “Seeing people proudly carrying the Israeli flag and wearing Team Israel shirts, hats and jerseys is pretty special.”
He said the international atmosphere inside the stadium has been unlike anything he has experienced at a typical baseball game.
“The enthusiasm of all the fans supporting their countries is making this a playoff-like atmosphere,” he said. “And watching Israel beat Nicaragua 5–0 was really great, too.”
A rabbi’s connection to Israel baseball
Also making the trip from St. Louis was Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham, who said his connection to Israel baseball dates back several years.
“Going back to 2019, I’ve had a strong connection to the Israel baseball team,” Abraham said. “I was one of the sponsoring rabbis helping players make aliyah so they could play in the Olympics.”
Israel ultimately finished fifth at the Tokyo Games and sixth in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Although Abraham wasn’t able to attend the 2023 tournament, he said he felt strongly about making the trip this year.
“I knew I wanted to be here, especially post–Oct. 7, to support Team Israel and be part of the World Baseball Classic,” he said. “I think it’s more important now than ever before to show up for our fellow Jews and support Israel.”
A win to remember
For the St. Louis visitors, the trip blended baseball, Jewish identity and family memories — all unfolding on an international stage.
And thanks to a Cardinals prospect’s big day at the plate, it also included a win.
