After winning the WBC Qualifier in Jupiter, Florida in September against Israel, South Africa and France, the Spanish national team will participate for the first time in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. They will play against Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the first round at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Mister-Baseball.com got a chance to do a quick interview with manager Mauro Mazzotti after last week’s announcement of the provisional rosters for all 16 teams.
Mister-Baseball: The provisional rosters for the 2013 World Baseball Classic got released last week. The Spanish roster is two players short. Are you keeping spots open for eligible Major Leaguers like Raul Ibanez and John Jay?
Mauro Mazzotti: No, unfortunately Ibanez turned down our offer and Jay isn’t eligible.
Mister-Baseball: As a first-time participant and WBC Qualifier winner you’re obviously an underdog in the tournament. But slotted into a pool with Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the first round, advancing seems even more challenging. What do you expect for Spain in the World Baseball Classic?
Mauro Mazzotti: We expect to compete in any game we’ll play; I know that our Group is the toughest, but even in Jupiter we were the underdog ……
Mister-Baseball: What would be the keys to upset Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and/or Puerto Rico?
Mauro Mazzotti: Well, for sure the pressure isn’t going to be on us, but anyway we’ll have to play inning after inning.
Mister-Baseball: You’re going to play against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles in Spring Training to wrap up the preparations for the 2013 WBC. Are there any more exhibition games planned during training camp? What is planned for the preparation period?
Mauro Mazzotti: We’ll go to Lakeland, Detroit Tigers Spring Training home February 27th and play an additional game against a Minor League team over there, and then we’ll move to Bradenton and play the two official practice games.
Mister-Baseball: Looking at the other teams in the World Baseball Classic. Who is the favorite to win the tournament in 2013? Can Japan win for a third time? What are the chances for Italy and the Netherlands?
Mauro Mazzotti: The favorite are the Teams that everybody knows and of course Japan is between these Teams. I think Italy and Netherland will have a legit chance to pass to the second Round, but in just three games anything can happen. It’s not easy for anybody.