The preparations for the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers for all European teams are well on their way. However not much has been announced. The Czech Baseball Association (CBA) posted an interview with national team manager Michal Muller, which reveals some info about the Czech team.
Regarding the roster they hope that John Straka and Brett Tomko will be available, while Eric Sogard didn’t receive permission from the Oakland Athletics to play for the Czech Republic in Mexicali. Meanwhile Mike Cervenak and Alex Sogard (the brother of Eric Sogard) are expected to be on the team as they were in 2012.
During a training camp in Arizona, the Czech team will face teams from the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants. Additionally exhibitions against the French National Team and a Japanese club team also have been scheduled.
The Czech Republic faces Germany, Mexico and Nicaragua during the WBCQ in Mexicali. In the opener they have to square off against Mexico.