Biography

Ramaz Goglidze

Ramaz Goglidze of Georgia and President of the Soviet Baseball and Softball Federation was invited by Dodger President Peter O’Malley to visit and stay at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida from March 7-10, 1988. Representatives from four countries in the International Baseball Association were introduced before a March 8 Dodgers-Baltimore Orioles exhibition game at Holman Stadium. They included Goglidze, Jong Nak Kim of South Korea, continental vice president for Asia; Eiichiro Yamamoto of Japan, IBA first vice president; and IBA President Dr. Robert Smith of Greenville College, Illinois. After on-field introductions, Goglidze threw the ceremonial first pitch. Two baseball coaches from Russia – Alexander Ardatov and Guela Chikhradze – visited Dodgertown as Peter’s guests from February 22-26, 1988. When Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae, founder of Tokai University in Tokyo, held groundbreaking ceremonies to privately build the first baseball field in Moscow, Goglidze was there, along with Peter and his assistant Akihiro “Ike” Ikuhara on April 20, 1988. Goglidze explained at the time to UPI, “Two years ago, when the game was only making its first steps here, we could do with little. But now baseball has gained official recognition. There are more than 30 teams throughout the country. It is a must for Soviet baseball to be up to international standards now.” Goglidze also celebrated the Grand Opening Ceremonies of Matsumae Stadium on September 1, 1989, when a two-day baseball tournament was held between host Moscow State, Tokai University, the University of Miami Hurricanes and Tianjin, China. Peter and Goglidze had the opportunity to once again discuss the future of baseball in Russia.

April 20, 1988, Dodger President Peter O’Malley was in Moscow, Russia to participate in groundbreaking ceremonies for Matsumae Baseball Stadium at Moscow State University on Lenin Hill. (L-R): Alexander Ardatov, Head Baseball Coach, USSR National Baseball Team; Dr. Bob Smith, President, International Baseball Association; Rod Dedeaux, legendary Head Baseball Coach from USC; Dodger President Peter O’Malley; and Ramaz Goglidze, of Georgia, President, USSR Baseball Federation.

September 2, 1989, Peter O’Malley meets with Ramaz Goglidze, of Georgia, during the opening weekend of Matsumae Baseball Stadium, Moscow State University on Lenin Hill. Goglidze, was President, USSR Baseball Federation (1987-1991). Goglidze was prominent in the support of Georgia’s involvement in the Olympic Games and was a founder of the Georgian National Olympic Committee.

Goglidze is still actively involved with the Georgian Baseball and Softball National Federation as a Member At Large. He was Mayor of the City of Tbilisi, Georgia and General Director of the Foreign Economic Service of the Council of Ministers of Georgia. He has held numerous positions, all in an effort to advance baseball and softball, including Minister of Sports of Georgia; President of the Georgia Softball Federation; International Softball Federation (ISF) Vice President/Europe from mid-November 2001-October 2005; and ISF Director of Protocol (named in December, 2005). While he was Minister of Sports in Georgia, Goglidze also served as an Executive Member of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the USSR.