Today we’ll continue with Pool E in our preview series for the upcoming Baseball World Cup. 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 Armin Wolf Arena in Regensburg was completely renovated for the Baseball World Cup. Additionally temporary seats helped to bring the total capacity to 10,000 for each game day. The opening ceremony on Wednesday will start at 6.30pm with all four teams.
Germany
For the fourth time Germany will participate in a Baseball World Cup. After winless campaigns in the 1970ies, the squad returned to the international stage in Taiwan 2007. They got their first win ever against Thailand and now hope for the second round. They traveled to the World Baseball Challenge and captured an impressive second place, including wins against all opponents in the tournament. The roster includes only Kai Gronauer as professional player, as Donald Lutz and Jennell Hudson both cannot play due to injuries. Andre Hughes is the lone other not playing in Germany, being under contract with the Dutch Hoofdklasse club HCAW. The southpaw is probably going to start in game three against Venezuela. Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez is getting the starting nod in the opener against China. Tim Henkenjohann is expected against Team USA. Simon Guehring, who fractured his heel in July, is healthy and is going to start in left field.
USA
The USA is coming to Europe as defending champion, ending the long streak of Cuba in the 2007 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan. In the 2008 Olympics they had to settle for third. Half of the roster has Major League experience. Terry Tiffee and Nate Field for example played a combined 181 games in the big leagues. Also aboard are top prospects Pedro Alvarez (Pittsburgh Pirates), Justin Smoak (Texas Rangers) and Jason Castro (Houston Astros). All players are on Triple-A and Double-A clubs. Eddie Rodriguez succeeded Davey Johnson as manager at the top of the coaching staff.
Venezuela
Venezuela has won three Baseball World Cups in the past, but hasn’t reached the top three since the 1970ies. This March Venezuela picked up third in the World Baseball Classic, edging out pool opponent USA. In 2007 they were twelfth, beating Germany 8-0. Rene Reyes highlights the roster as former big leaguer in 81 games for Colorado. Also on the team are Lino Connell, Dirimo Chavez and Willy Guedez out of the Italian and Spanish Leagues. Several of the other players can look back at careers in the American minor leagues. To finish up preparations Venezuela traveled to Italy to play against the host of round two, Cuba and Taiwan, finishing in fourth place.
China
China withdrew from the 2007 Baseball World Cup, as they wanted to focus on the Beijing Olympics, where they upset long-time rival Taiwan. A few months later in March 2009, in the World Baseball Classics they matched that feat. In the Asian Baseball Championship in July this year, China was back behind Taiwan in the standings, finishing fourth. This squad of amateur players also traveled to Regensburg and hopes to beat host Germany in the opener.
Schedule
Wednesday, September 9th:
19:00 Germany – China
Thursday, September 10th:
19:00 USA – Venezuela
Friday, September 11th:
14:00 Venezuela – China
19:00 USA – Germany
Saturday, September 12th:
14:00 China – USA
19:00 Germany – Venezuela
Tickets
One day before the start of the tournament, the organizers announced that they have sold about 22,000 tickets for the four days. Tickets are still available for all games on the daily ticket windows.