Far from war, Ukraine’s baseball team finds relief in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG — They stood in a circle, joined their hands, and shouted, “U! Kraine!”

Some are students, soldiers, and fathers. Others are professionals and business owners. They are players on the National Baseball Team of Ukraine, an honor they carry with pride, both on and off the field.

Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the battle has only intensified, leaving tens of thousands dead, cities in ruins and millions of families displaced. But amid the devastation, baseball has become a source of hope and a way for Ukrainian players to represent their country.

Now, St. Petersburg is on the map.

The team came this week after a few days in New York, where they played an exhibition game in Brooklyn. In St. Petersburg, they practiced and competed Tuesday against the Bay Area