Confederation of European Baseball | Confédération Européenne de Baseball

World Baseball Classic

By: TS

The first step on the way to the World Baseball Classic, which will be played march 3rd to march 20th of 2006, is done for the two participating European teams. Italy and The Netherlands submited their provisional rosters last week. Right now the roster size is up to sixty players and will be cut down to thirty players twentyfour hours before the commencement of the tournament. The final 30-man-rosters have to include thirteen pitchers and three catchers.
 
The first round of the World Baseball Classic will take place in Tokyo (JAP), San Juan (PUR), Orlando (USA) and two locations in Arizona (USA). The second round, semi-finals and the final will be played in Anaheim and San Diego (USA).
 
Sixteen teams qualified for the WBC. They´ve been divided into four groups of four teams each. The best teams of each group will advance to round two, the best teams of round two will qualify for the semifinals on their way to the title match.
 
The teams of the groups, that include The Netherlands and Italy are Pool C and Pool D. Italy has to play against Australia, the Domenican Republic and Venezuela in Orlando (USA) . The Netherlands will face Cuba, Panama and Puerto Rico in San Juan (PUR). Although the both European teams are believed to be underdogs, they can come up with a suprise, especially if the professional Major League players on their rosters will join the teams in march.
 
See the attached files for the actual Rosters of The Netherlands and Italy.

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