Today we would like to start with our short preview series of the 2009 IBAF Baseball World Cup. We’ll begin with Pool A. Just a short reminder on the format: The first round in the BWC consists of five pools with four teams apiece. The top two countries of each group advance into the second round, joined by the four best third-ranked squads. More info on 2009BaseballWorldCup.com
Venue
The six games in Pool A will be played at the ballpark of the Czech Extraleague club Eagles Prague. Due to a lighting system, which isn’t good enough compared to international requirements, all matches will be played under day light. The Opening Ceremony is planned for September 9th at 16:15 CET.
Czech Republic
Host Czech Republic will be playing in its second Baseball World Cup. In 2005 in the Netherlands, the team finished in ninth place with a 0-8 record, getting eliminated after the preliminary phase. The preliminary roster of the Czech team consists of six former or current players with Minor League experience. Jakub Toufar pitched for the GCL Twins in 2006 and 2007. Jakub Hajtmar (Twins), Jan Rehacek (Twins), Jakub Sladek (Phillies), Petr Cech (Reds) and Matej Hejma (Twins) are still under contract with Major League organizations, although none of them has reached the upper levels of the Minors so far. Also represented is the Dutch Hoofdklasse with Jakub Malik. Most of the other players are coming from record champion AVG Draci Brno. Even with home field advantage it will be difficult for the European underdog to win a game in this pool.
Australia
The “Europeans” Dushan Ruzic and Adam Blackley, who both played in the Netherlands this year, will lead the Australian roster in Prague. An overall number of 17 players on the team have played or are still under contract of Major League organizations. However potential key players Travis Blackley, Trent Oeltjen (Arizona Diamondbacks) or Peter Moylan (Braves) are missing. Australia had its best international result with the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics, but failed to qualify for 2008. They finished sixth in the 2007 BWC and twelfth in the most-recent 2009 World Baseball Classic. The team of manager Jon Deeble should be able to reach one of the top two spots in the pool.
Mexico
Mexico had a slow start into the 2007 Baseball World Cup, but rallied to advance into the quarterfinals and settled for seventh place. A few months later they failed to reach one of the three top spots in the Olympic qualifier and missed Beijing. This March during the World Baseball Classic they reached the second round and finished in eighth. Pitchers Juan Oramas and Arturo Lopez are currently under contract with Major League organization. Infielder Oscar Robles played in the MLB from 2005 to 2007 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. There are several more players on the team, which were on Minor League teams in the past. The majority is currently playing in Mexico.
Taiwan
Despite being upset by China in the 2008 Olympics (5th) and the 2009 World Baseball Classic (14th place), Taiwan is currently ranked in fifth place in the IBAF World Rankings. In the most recent Asian Baseball Championship only Japan was better, as Chinese Taipei finished in second place. Hosting the Baseball World Cup in 2007 they secured an eighth-place finish. The 24-man BWC roster consists mostly of University players and military serviceman. The only professional player on the team is pitcher Wang Yi Lin of the Boston Red Sox.
Schedule
September 9th
16:30 Czech Republic – Australia
September 10th
16:30 Taiwan – Mexico
September 11th
12:30 Australia – Taiwan
16:30 Mexico – Czech Republic
September 12th
12:30 Australia – Mexico
16:30 Czech Republic – Taiwan
Tickets
Tickets are available at www.ticketpro.cz