IBAF Notes on 5th Day of Baseball World Cup

Press Release International Baseball Federation, www.ibaf.org

USA PITCHING DOMINATES AGAIN: San Diego Padres prospect Cory Luebeke became the second Team USA pitcher in as many days to reach double digits in strikeouts with 10 on Sunday vs. Canada. On Saturday teammate and Los Angeles Angels prospect Trevor Reckling, had 11 K’s against China, which tied the mark of former Dodger and Cubs pitcher Burt Hooten, who fanned 11 consecutive batters in 1970.  Luebke joined Reckling, Ben McDonald (1988) and Hank Woodman (2003) as the only USA pitchers to reach double digits in a game.  Overall Team USA set their own World Cup record with 16 strikeouts vs. China, breaking the mark of 14 set against Brazil in 2003.

NETHERLANDS WIN A RARE ONE FOR THE HOME SQUAD IN WORLD CUP: The Netherlands come from behind win Sunday against Korea was just the second overall for a home country in this World Cup. Spain went 1-2 in Barcelona, while the Czech Republic, Sweden and Croatia all went 0-3, and Italy lost their home opener Sunday to Chinese Taipei, making the host country just 2-12 thus far. The host country has only won the Gold Medal eight times since 1948…Cuba (’52, ’71,’73, ’84,’03) Columbia (’65), USA (’74), and Korea (’82)…Cuba’s win in 2003 was the only time in the last nine events the World Cup has been won by the host country and was also one of two times in the last nine the host country won a medal (host Chinese Taipei won Bronze in 2001). [edit: Germany obviously also won as a host country in the Baseball World Cup, beating China 14-1 in the opener]

JAPAN’S WIN CHRISTENS NEW STADIUM: Japan’s win over Mexico was the inaugural game in Parma’s new Aldo Nottari Stadium, named after the late IBAF President.  Australia will play Italy in Parma Thursday in the second game at the new field.

de JONG CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL HEROICS: Catcher Sidney deJong was a key member of the Netherlands successful World Baseball Classic team, leading the Netherlands by hitting .500 (5 for 10). He continued the heroics on Sunday, hitting the game winning three run homer run against Korea.

DUTCH ADD JERSEY SPONSOR: On Sunday it was announced that Argos Oil will be sponsoring the Dutch team during the Baseball World Cup. The name of the fast growing company in Rotterdam-Hoogvliet (400 employees, 1.5 billion euros turnover) will be displayed on the sleeves of the Dutch players the coming weeks. Argos Groep is one of the largest independent oil companies in the Netherlands and is active in the areas of trading, storage and sales of (bio)fuels and lubrication. Founder and general director is Peter Goedvolk, Havenman van het Jaar (Harbourman of the Year) 2006.

AUSSIES CONTINUE TO HIT AWAY: Australia continued their torrid hitting on Sunday, and have now smacked 11 home runs and scored 50 runs in their first four games.  Philadelphia Phillies prospect Tim Kennelly’s three homers and 9 RBI while Minnesota Twins prospect James Beresford led the team in hits with nine in the four games. Six Twins prospects are on the Australia roster.

NICARAGUA’S GONZALEZ CONTINUES TORRID PACE: Nicaragua’s 3-1 start has been led by the long ball of third baseman Jimmy Morales Gonzalez, who has hit five home runs in their first four games and went 4-5 from the plate Sunday.  The 31 year old Gonzalez played in the Pioneer and California Leagues from ’98-2000 in the Dodgers organization, for Great Falls and San Bernadino, and has played for Granada in the Nicaraguan Professional League since then.  He had 20 HR and 180 RBI with a .295 average in his three seasons in the minors.