The Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation announced their final 24-man roster for the upcoming Baseball World Cup on Wednesday. The squad of head coach Karl Knutsson is missing two important players. Christian Staehely of the Seattle Mariners is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Bryan Berglund, who was drafted and signed by the Florida Marlins this summer didn’t receive the go-ahead of the Major League club, as they don’t believe he is in good enough game-shape to play in the tournament. Pitcher Maikel Hurtado from Miami is the lone player on the roster, who is not playing in Sweden.
Sweden is playing at home during the first round, as they host Pool C at the new-built ballpark in Sundbyberg. They open the tournament next Wednesday at 7pm CET against Netherlands Antilles. Also in this group are Canada and South Korea.
Complete Roster:
Catchers: Tomas Börjes (Rättvik), Björn Johannessen (Stockholm)
Infielders: Henrik Johansson (Karlskoga), Lukas Olsson (Leksand), Magnus Pilegård (Stockholm), Rickard Reimer (Rättvik), Adam Sorgi (Rättvik)
Outfielders: Mikael Andersson (Tranås), Tony Dermendziev (Tranås), Peter Johannessen (Stockholm), Christoffer Johansson (Karlskoga), Philip Gajzler (Sundbyberg), David Leander (Tranås), Per Lindgren (Sundbyberg)
Pitchers: Joakim Claesson (Stockholm), Maikel Hurtado (USA), Tomas Häggblom (Eskilstuna), Peter Jansson (Rättvik), Kent Karlsson (Karlskoga), Rickard Leander (Leksand), Nicklas Melin (Rättvik), Per Sjörs (Leksand), Nick Soubiea (Sundbyberg), Johan Tisell (Sundbyberg)
Coaching Staff: Karl Knutsson (head coach, Sölvesborg), Magnus Höglund (coach, Rättvik), Douglas Skiles (coach, Helsingborg), Dennis Cook (coach, Austin, TX), Julian Benitez (trainer, Stockholm), Patric Blomkvist (material manager, Leksand), Ulf Steinvall (General Manager, Kristianstad)