Boston millionaire Larry Baras, whose food services company makes, among other products, Unholey Bagels, has become the driving force behind the Israel Baseball League and is currently seeking out cities and stadiums in the Holy Land to host teams. Baras hopes to gin up enough interest for the American pastime—all but unknown in Israel—to field a team for the next World Baseball Classic in 2009.

Under Israel’s right-of-return laws, any Jewish-American can qualify for citizenship, meaning that Baras’s squad could in theory include Kevin Youkilis and Gabe Kapler of Boston, Shawn Green of the Diamondbacks, and Jason Marquis of the Cards. Former Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette is helping Baras with player development, and team tryouts will be held at Duquette’s sports academy in Hinsdale, Mass,. this summer.