The roster of the Austrian National Team for the European Championship Qualifier consists of 20 players. Manager Martin Langlois chose them from a pool of 29 after three exhibitions last weekend. They lost all three games against the Vienna Diving Ducks (2-8), the BBL All stars (8-9) and the Foreign Stars (4-8) at the so-called All Star Weekend 2008 in Vienna.
Austria faces host Belgium, Switzerland and Malta at the Qualifier in Antwerp, Belgium next week. They are open the tournament against their neighbors on July 9th. The two best teams after a round robin advance into a best-of-three final on Saturday July 12th. It is one of five events through Europe in which teams can clinch spots for the next EC 2010 in Germany.
Complete Roster:
(Name, Position, Year of Birth, Team)
Paul Astl, (P), 1985, Schwaz Tigers
Christopher Bunk, 1980, (C, 3b, ss), Kufstein Vikings
Clemens Cichocki, 1984, (P, OF, 1b), Haar Disciples
Peter Ferak, (C, 2b), 1984, Vienna Metrostars
Joachim Frick, (OF), 1983, Dornbirn Indians
Andre Gruber, (C), 1979, Attnang Athletics
Franz Haisjackl, (P), 1984, Schwaz Tigers
Werner Harrasser, (P), 1977, Kufstein Vikings
Benjamin Husty, (P, 2b, 3b, ss), 1988, Superfund Wanderers
Harald Kainz, (P), 1976, Stockerau Cubs
Peter Nagiller, (OF), 1977, Schwaz Tigers
Johannes Pernkopf, (P), 1983, Superfund Wanderers
Simon Plagg, (SS, 3b), 1985, Dornbirn Indians
Emilio Podreka, (2b, 3b, ss), 1983, Superfund Wanderers
Martin Rabengruber, (OF), 1982, Attnang Athletics
Lutz Rauch, (SS, 2b), 1980, Vienna Metrostars
Max Scholdan, (OF), 1982, Superfund Wanderers
Walter Strasser, (P), 1982, Attnang Athletics
Christian Tomsich, 1978, (P, 1b, OF), Charlotte Pirates
Matthias Plötz, 1982 (P) Graz Dirty Sox
Photo: © Austrian Baseball Federation