Ewing, NJ... Dave Palese and Bob Buskett '08, assistant coaches for The College of New Jersey baseball team, will travel abroad this summer to teach and help grow baseball around the world through Major League Baseball's Envoy Program.

Palese will depart from the United States on June 4 and return August 22. He'll start out in India and the move on to Hanoi, Cambodia, Singapore, and Beijing, China before finishing his trip in Wuxi, China at the MLB Development Center. Palese's host in Beijing will be former Lions' head coach Rick Dell.

Buskett will travel to Manipur before meeting up with Palese in Hanoi. He will also coach in Cambodia, and Singapore and return to the states June 30.

The Envoy Program selects and sends the game's best instructors to needful baseball communities around the world. Since its introduction in 1991, the program has sent out coaches on more than 700 assignments to 72 countries worldwide reaching more than 600,000 people. The program is dedicated to the development of international baseball by supporting national baseball federations and their affiliated clubs by providing detailed baseball instruction and development advice to players, coaches, and baseball administrators.

“I'm pleased and honored to have a chance to represent both Major League Baseball and the game of baseball,” noted Palese. “There are so many positives that come out of this experience. Players and coaches around the world are introduced to the fundamentals of baseball and teaching techniques that are customary to us here. In addition, this program can only make you a better coach because it challenges you to learn how to communicate better and teach at every level of the game.”

Palese joined the coaching staff at TCNJ in 2007. He coaches third base and serves as the team's hitting coach. The Lions hit .308 as a team in 2010 and boasted a team batting average of .314 in 2009. Prior to his tenure at the College, Palese was an assistant coach at the University of Rochester and has been working for MLB International since 2007.

Buskett has served as the Lions' pitching coach the past two seasons after graduating from TCNJ in 2008. He compiled a career record of 20-6 on the mound in four seasons for the Lions. During a three-season span, Buskett won 15 out of 17 decisions. He is among the program's all-time leaders in starts, complete games, innings pitched, strikeouts, wins, and winning percentage.

The Envoy Program is one of several international game development programs operated by Major League Baseball International – MLV's international division. MLB International was founded in 1990 with the goal of growing the game of baseball around the world by creating interest and excitement in baseball through game development initiatives, special events, broadcasting, and licensing.