Catcher Chris Iannetta of the Major League club COLORADO ROCKIES accepted an invitation by Team USA for the 2009 World Baseball Classic and is currently one of two backstops on the American roster besides ATLANTA BRAVE Brian McCann. The 25-year-old Iannetta also was on a list of 69 players in December, who were in consideration to play for Italy at the tournament in March. The Italian Baseball and Softball Federation FIBS is expected to release a 45-man preliminary roster on January 15. Nonetheless Iannetta would have been a nice addition to the Squadra Azzurri, as he batted .264 (OBP .390/SLG .505) with 18 homeruns, 50 runs scored and 65 RBIs in 104 games last season.