The French Baseball and Softball Federation (FFBS) has released their roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Panama City. They will face Spain, Panama and Colombia from March 17 to 20 at Rod Carew Stadium. Only the winner qualifies for the main tournament of the World Baseball Classic in March of 2017.
28 players, eight of the Rouen Huskies, have been nominated for the WBCQ in Panama City. The majority of the squad is based in France. Additionally professional players Dan Camou (free agent), Lucas Serafin (Charlesbourg Castors), Andy Paz (Oakland Athletics) and Rene Leveret (Lincoln Saltdogs) are on the team as well. Norbert Jongerius of the Dutch Hoofdklasse team UVV also made the cut.
Manager of the team is former Major League standout closer Eric Gagne. The French delegation traveled to Arizona early this week for a training camp. They then will depart for Panama City. They are based in Surprise, at the facilities of the Kansas City Royals. During their preparation phase they will face a college team and the Czech Republic.
French Roster for the WBCQ:
