and studying, he went on a trip to Hungary to visit a girl and decided to see what coaching jobs were out there. The Hungarian Baseball website was, of course, in Hungarian, so his girl contacted a few people and he got an interview. When he told the team he was playing for the Netherlands and showed their best player his 80 mph breaking ball, they said they wanted him to coach the team. "Just pay for my trip every time and I'll do it," he said. "The next year I went back and played in Germany on the weekends. During the week, I'd fly into Budapest and do training with the players, fly back to Hamburg, take a law exam or whatever, take a train to the Netherlands, do some scouting for the Astros, then go pitch my game," he said. "Obviously, my game suffered." While many American players would take their time off to party and play video games, Justin's work ethic prevailed. "For me it's like: Why not have the chance to explore as many places as possible and develop players where you can have a huge impact on the game?" he said. His proud father agrees. "He's a special type of young man who gives from his heart," said his father, Jay. He works hard, coaching or playing. On off days, he's traveling to small towns to teach young kids how to play baseball and promote the sport." Jay said he followed his son's games on the Internet, sometimes waking up at 3 a.m. to catch a game from Europe. Justin's "Grandpa Al" is also a big fan. "He knows what he's doing. He never had anybody help him out, even the coaches. He just needs a little more luck, somebody to back him up a little bit," said Al, who owned Prinstein Bros. Produce at Eastern Market for 60 years. "He's a fine young man." Justin loves coaching younger European players, who "basically have to beg teachers to let you off from school for a day to play," he said. "If it was soccer, you are the golden child, but baseball, you definitely have to work harder." He also wants to get baseball academies back into the inner city of Detroit —and is pulling every MLB and D.C. connection he's made to get it done. "Kids who aren't big enough for football or tall enough for basketball might be able to play baseball," he said. "You're born with athleticism; you can work on baseball skills." Justin said he plans to play the game for one more year, then return to Detroit to get involved in city/state government. And urban development. And take the Michigan Bar Exam. And ... 11111 Call our Purim Hotline at 248/357-5544 ext. 26 with your RSVP no later than Thursday, February 21 and you will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $250 American Express Gift Card. Generation to Generation PURIM NIGHT FEVER! Saturday, February 23 6:15 p.m. Family Purim Shpiel Come dressed in your costumes for our Purim Shpiel and learn how Queen Esther saved the Jews! ** Support Yad Ezra by bringing an unopened box of pasta to shake as a grogger and donate at the end of the service! ** 7:00 p.m. Purim Extravaganza! Take your photo with Big Bird! Carnival Games, Pebbles the Clown, Slot Car Racing, Inflatables, Face Painting, Dancing with Star Trax and More! ❑ Justin Prinstein Timeline • North Farmington H.S.: 1998-2002 • Albion College: 2002-2004 • George Washington University: 2004-06 • Hoboken Pioneers (Belgium) March -May 2007 • Netanya Tigers (Israel) June-August 2007 • Washington D.C. (2006 & part of 2007 off seasons) • Southern Districts Hawks (South Australia): Winter Ball 2007-08 • Tex Town Tigers (Netherlands): 2008 • Off-Season 2008: Detroit (law school) • Almere Magpies (Netherlands): 2009 • West Stirling Indians (Perth Western Australia): Winter Ball 2009-10 • European scout for Houston Astros: 2009-2010 • Almere Magpies (Netherlands): March-July 2010 • H.S.V. (Hamburg) Stealers (Germany): August 2010 • Off-season 2010: Detroit (law school) • Hungary National Team (Budapest) April-July 2011 (part-time) • H.S.V. Hamburg Stealers (Germany): April-June 2011 (full-time) • Return to law school in Detroit: August 2011 • Janossomorja Rascals (Hungary): August-September 2011 for Inter-League playoffs • Off-season 2011: Detroit (law school) • Hungary National Team (Budapest): April-August 2012 (full-time) • Janossomorja Rascals (Hungary): April-July 2012 (part-time) • Off-season 2012: Detroit • Hrosi Brno Hippos (Czech Republic): starting March 2013 — SHAAREY ZEDEK — CONGREGATION 7:30 p.m. Megillah Reading Evening service and an interactive reading in the Chapel! HEY KIDS! I Redeem this I coupon at the I Purim Extravaganza I and receive 10 FREE PRIZE TICKETS! All Purim festivities are generously sponsored by the Sidney Katzman Memorial Purim Fund 8:30 p.m. Adults! Join us for a Comedy Performance by Modi Voted one of the Top 10 Comedians in New York City by Hollywood Reporter as well as BackStage, Modi is a presence on stage, television and the silver screen. 27375 BELL ROAD, SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN 48034 248/357-5544 • PURIM@SHAAREYZEDEK.ORG 1813910 February 21 • 2013 29