French Division 1, 2017 Season Preview

The French Division 1 kicks off play on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2. The eight-team league features two new clubs this season (Montigny and St. Just) who replace Chartres and Toulouse. As is usually the case in France, Rouen, Montpellier and Senart seem to be preseason favorites to claim the 2017 title, with the Huskies aiming for their third straight crown and 13th in the last 14 seasons.

The Rouen Huskies have decided to bring back the large majority of their roster from last season. Venezuelan manager Keino Perez (5th season as head coach) has brought back his fellow countrymen Larry Infante (former Angels AAA infielder) and Jonathan Jaspe (former AA Blue Jays catcher) along with a third Venezuelan import, pitcher Jean Carlos Granados, who earned a victory over team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. The core of the team will be led by Maxime Lefevre, Luc Piquet, Leo Cespedes, Yoann Vaugelade and Owen Ozanich, all longtime national team players. Rouen will try to become the first French club to become champion of Europe in June when they square off against Rotterdam, Bologna and Mainz in the Champions Cup in Regensburg.

Senart figure to have a strong side in 2017. Led by French pitcher Jonathan Mottay and American starter Dylan Barrow (former White Sox single A) the Parisian club could given Rouen some trouble if their lineup can provide enough run support. Gone are Fred Hanvi and Jacques Boucheron, two of Senart’s top hitters the past few seasons, along with Jimmy Jensen and Max MacNabb, two of the league’s top arms in 2016. The offense will be led by the ageless Ernesto Martinez, who figures to split time behind the plate and as DH, and French national team shortstop Felix Brown.

The Montpellier Barracudas have high hopes to claim their first crown in over a decade in 2017. The club on the southern coast of France have added outfielder Bastien Dagneau, who heads south after five strong seasons with Rouen. Joining him in the spacious Montpellier outfield will be fellow national team outfielder Jacques Boucheron. Fred Walter, one of France’s top prospects, will play third base, the three figure to form one of the best middle of the lineup’s in the league. Also joining the Barracudas are Jorge Hereaud and Alexander Perdomo, who come over from the relegated Toulouse Tigers. The pitching staff will be led by 23 year old Venezuelan Keivi Rojas, who pitched single A for the Phillies and for Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League.

The promoted Montigny Cougars figure to be one of the surprise teams in 2017. French national team pitcher Max Monbeig will lead the pitching staff. Familiar names Warren Coopman, Dylan Mayeux and his sister Melissa Mayeux will fill out the top of the batting order. The Parisian club will be getting a new field turf surface and will co-host the 2017 Challenge de France (along with Rouen). This will be their first season back in the D1 since 2011.

The Savigny Lions will feature a very young squad this upcoming season. Axel Amoros is one of their top bats. Vincent Ferreira, who has been with the team for over a decade, figures to join Amoros in the middle of the lineup and do much of the catching. Luis De La Rosa will fill the role of super utility player again, and eat up some innings on the mound. Canadian brothers Nolan and Braydon McNabb will join Japanese outfielder Mamoru Shigita at the club’s foreigners.

Clermont-Ferrand will try to capitalize on their vibrant city and new turf field to attract quality foreigners to the club. Last season the club finished 5th/8 in their first season back in Division 1. Gone is lefty Peter Gehle, who joins Tecknika Brno this year. Brice Lorriene and Thomas Medina anchor the core group of French players whom the club will try to build around after a 11-17 finish last season.

Clermont-Ferrand will try to capitalize on their vibrant city and new turf field to attract quality foreigners to the club. Last season the club finished 5th/8 in their first season back in Division 1. Gone is lefty Peter Gehle, who joins Tecknika Brno this year. Brice Lorriene and Thomas Medina anchor the core group of French players whom the club will try to build around after a 11-17 finish last season. 

"Hamburg Stealers" signed infielder David Carles

The roster planning of the “Hamburg Stealers” team for the upcoming season has come to its end. 24-year-old David Carles became one of the last newcomers. It is planned that infielder from Staten Island (New York) will take an important position of shortstop, but he will be also involved in second base position. The right-handed player had already played for the “Stealers” in a test game against their main competitor in Bundesliga – the “Dortmund Wanderers”. “David has already made a good impression. He will surely reinforce our team and find common ground with all team members without problems” – head coach Jens Hawlitzky says.

During the past three years Carles had been studying in «Alma College» college (Michigan). He was a major player in college baseball team. Last season, he scored pretty well batting average score AVG.343 in 29 games. In addition, 16 stolen bases were obtained in 20 attempts. In defense he had only three errors in 95 actions.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/29/hamburg-stealers-signed-infielder-david-carles/ 

New WBSC World Rankings revealed following World Baseball Classic 2017

The World Baseball Softball Confederation released the latest standings in the WBSC Baseball World Rankings, following the recent conclusion of the 16-nation World Baseball Classic 2017 — the top-tier WBSC World Championship hosted by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Highlighting an elite level of baseball being played across the globe, five continents — Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Oceania — are represented within the Top 10 of the WBSC Baseball World Rankings.

First-time winners of the World Baseball Classic, the United States. USA Baseball National Teams are the current title holders of three WBSC World Championships: U-12 Baseball World Cup, U-18 Baseball World Cup and World Baseball Classic.

The absence of the U.S. in the first two editions of the U-23 Baseball World Cup (2014 and 2016) has been significant in Japan, the current U-23 world champions, maintaining the No. 1 ranking, as Japan earned 1,236 points in these two events.
Baseball’s world rankings weigh a country’s National Team performance in WBSC-sanctioned international competitions (from U-12 to Professional) over a four-year period. Points earned from the World Baseball Classic 2013 have expired.

Israel Jumps 22 Spots

Marking the nation’s debut in the World Baseball Classic, Israel defeated four Top 10 nations (Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Korea and Netherlands) and finished in 6th Place to advance to No. 19 in the world rankings. Israel had entered the global tournament as the lowest-ranked nation (No. 41).

Caribbean

World Baseball Classic silver medallists Puerto Rico moved to No. 11 in the rankings, while 2013 world champions Dominican Republic fell three places to No. 16. While Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic have had great success in the World Baseball Classic, their current positions in the rankings also reflect the two Caribbean nations’ absence in wider National Team competitions.

Historical High for Australia

With its highest-ever finish (9th Place) in the World Baseball Classic — and having won the U-12 and U-18 Continental Championships earlier this year — Australia has hit a historical high in the world rankings at No. 8, advancing two spots. Baseball Australia’s previous high was No. 9, which was achieved in 2010.
Rise of Colombia
Colombia has advanced two spots to No. 17 in the rankings. The South American nation won its first-ever World Baseball Classic game (vs. Canada) and nearly defeated the U.S. and the Dominican Republic in the Opening Round, before falling in extra-innings in both contests. Last year, Colombia defeated the USA in extra-innings and Korea at the U-15 Baseball World Cup, signalling a rise of the Colombian National Teams.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/30/new-wbsc-world-rankings-revealed-following-world-baseball-classic-2017/ 

Gianny Fracchiolla joins “Hamburg Stealers”

The “Hamburg Stealers” team is pleased with promising newcomer who will play during season 2017 in German Bundesliga. The Italian with Venezuelan roots, Gianny Frachiolla will become one of the main players. He will be one of players of the starter`s position in the first double-header match.

«We have strong playing position now. Team has two great players and thus we have time to see who better starter is, and who will come off the substitutes’ bench“- the head coach says. Fracchiolla and Claesson can replace American player, Dustin Ward, on starter’s position in the second game.

25 year-old Fracchiolla had been playing for ”Regensburg Legionare” in German Bundesliga for two years. The baseball player has played 14 matches and 10 of them on the starter`s position in the top team of Southern subgroup during regular season. Gianny has made a save in one game and six times led the team to the victory. Gianny Fracchiolla has made 84 strike-outs, 56 hits and 52 walks during 76.2 innings. His ERA is 2.465 during the season. Last season Fracchiolla played in “San Marino” club in Italian baseball league.

Gianny has already played with “Hamburg Stealers” team during playoff match in August 2015. Then he played for ”Regensburg Legionare” on pitcher`s position during seven innings. As a result, the team won with the score 5:1.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/29/gianny-fracchiolla-joins-hamburg-stealers/ 

2017 World Baseball Classic sets New Highs

The 2017 World Baseball Classic set records for attendance, television ratings, digital consumption and merchandise sales.
ATTENDANCE

• The World Baseball Classic set an event attendance record by drawing 1,086,720, marking the first time the event has surpassed 1 million. The 2017 attendance marks a +23% increase over the 2013 event, which drew 885,212.
• With a crowd of 51,565, the 2017 Championship game at Dodger Stadium was the most-attended game of the tournament.
• The 2017 event registered the two most-attended pools in the event’s history, with the Second Round in Tokyo drawing 209,072 and the First Round in Tokyo reaching 206,534.

TELEVISION

• The last game drew the largest ever U.S. audience for a World Baseball Classic game with 3.1 million viewers across MLB Network, ESPN Deportes and the Spanish language simulcast on ESPN2.
• In Puerto Rico, 70% of televisions that were on last night were tuned into the World Baseball Classic Championship game.

DIGITAL CONSUMPTION

• MLB.TV subscribers in the United States consumed a record 70 million minutes of live World Baseball Classic games on all supported streaming platforms, including the MLB.com At Bat app, throughout the 2017 tournament. Overall, World Baseball Classic video views across all MLB.com owned and operated platforms saw an increase of +59% over the 2013 tournament.

MERCHANDISE SALES

• World Baseball Classic merchandise sales at MLBShop.com increased +50% over sales in 2013.
• Sales of World Baseball Classic merchandise at host venues was the largest in the event’s history with an increase of +15% over the previous tournament.
• The First Round in Tokyo had the largest venue concessions sales in event history.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/28/2017-world-baseball-classic-sets-new-highs/ 

U23 European Championship in Prague

Presidents of three host countries have launched the U23 European Championship. This year tournament will be held from 7 to 13 August, in Wels.

Championship organizers presented logo, group division as well as schedule for the European Championship finals. It was noted that this year's championship will bring together 16 teams. In close co-operation three associations will strive to turn the U23 European Championship 2017 into an unforgettable event.

The preliminary rounds will be held from the 7th of August in Wels (AUT), Trnava (SVK) and Brno (CZE). The playoff phase will also take place in Brno, where a total of four venues will be played.

In Wels, local baseball fans will have an opportunity to watch three games of the Austrian national team. In addition, national teams from Great Britain, Spain and Poland will also take part in several games in Wels. Also in Trnava city teams will play on the new baseball field.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/28/u23-european-championship-in-prague/ 

Collin Shaw and Graham Fisher has joined “Dortmund Wanderers”

Two foreign players have joined “Dortmund Wanderers” team. Thus, changes in team’s roster for season 2017 finished. Collin Shaw and Graham Fisher are professional baseball players. Joining the team they have considerably strengthened “Dortmund Wanderers”.

Collin Shaw will play on the starter`s position in the second game of each game day. 25-years-old athlete played in American league for “Frontier League” during one season. He also played in winter league, after his sport career in college.

Graham Fisher graduated from Grinnell College last year. He is the universal player, who will play in outfield zone for ‘Dortmund”. Nevertheless, coach noted he can also take pitcher`s position in future.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/27/collin-shaw-and-graham-fisher-has-joined-dortmund-wanderers/ 

Javier Avendano became a new pitcher of “Solingen Alligators”

26-years-old Venezuelan, Javier Avendano will fill Wes Edwards’s shoes and become team’s pitcher. Edwards was forced to leave “Solingen Alligators” and come back to the USA due to family reasons. New baseball player had already joined the team and even managed to play in the warm-up game against “Saarlouis Hornets”. Wayne Ough, the Head Coach, said: “Javier must find his rhythm and get acquainted with teammates. It is impossible to show the best innings after the long flight. But still, I am very happy he will play with us”.

“Alligators” will play three warm-up games before the first game of the season 2017. After that, team will play against “Dohren Wildfarmers”.
Javier Avendano had been playing in different teams of the minor league in “Toronto Blue Jays” baseball club from 2008 to 2014. After that, he played for the teams in Central America and then he was the part of the team of the Columbian league from Sincelejo (Columbia).
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/27/javier-avendano-became-a-new-pitcher-of-solingen-alligators/ 

“Day of Stars” will be held in Wales

Baseball stars of Austrian Bundesliga 2016 will gather together during the “Day of Stars”. They will play against the National Team U23. The match will take place on the new stadium in Wales. The European Championship U23 will be also held there.

This year the “Day of Stars” match will be held between the expanded roster of the National Team U23 and the best players of the first and second Baseball Bundesliga (BBL) 2016. Chad Scheilz will be the head coach. In addition, he will also play together with his star colleagues.

This game will become a great start of the baseball season 2017. “Day of Stars” is a great sport event both for fans as well for Austrian baseball in general. This year the National Team U23 has the great opportunity to prepare for the upcoming European Championship. The Championship will take place in August in the cities of Wales (Austria), Bryunn (Germany) and Trnava (Slovakia).
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/24/day-of-stars-will-be-held-in-wales/ 

WBC 2017 Final: USA shuts out Puerto Rico to win 1st World Baseball Classic Title

In a championship game the United States finally have captured a World Baseball Classic title. Team USA beat Puerto Rico 8-0 at a near-sellout crowd at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. Marcus Stroman and the American bullpen led the way by combining to allow just three Puerto Rican hits in the game.

For the USA its their first world title since the 2009 Baseball World Cup and the first win in four World Baseball Classics. Japan (2) and the Dominican Republic had won the first three events. Puerto Rico is finishing in second place for the second time in a row. They had reached the final as only undefeated team.

At the plate Ian Kinsler opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the third. RBI singles by Christian Yelich, Andrew McCutchen (2 RBI overall), Brandon Crawford (2 RBI) and Giancarlo Stanton extended the lead afterwards.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/23/wbc-2017-final-usa-shuts-out-puerto-rico-to-win-1st-world-baseball-classic-title/ 

2017 World Baseball Classic sets overall Attendance Record

The 2017 World Baseball Classic has drawn 976,828 setting the all-time event attendance record through the Second Round. This year’s tournament has already surpassed the previous total tournament attendance record of 885,212, set in 2013. With three games still to be played in the Championship Round, total attendance for the tournament will surpass 1 million for the first time.

The 2017 World Baseball Classic attendance is +24% over the 2013 tournament mark through the Second Round. The 2017 Second Round drew 354,977 making it the most-attended Second Round in the tournament’s history breaking the 2013 mark of 325,282.

The Tokyo Pool in the Second Round drew a total of 209,072 breaking the record for the most-attended pool in tournament history. Previously, Tokyo set the record for most-attended pool in the First Round of this year’s tournament with a total of 206,534.

USA vs. Dominican Republic match-up in San Diego drew a sold out crowd of 43,002 to Petco Park marking the largest attendance for a World Baseball Classic Second Round game held in the United States. The game also was the eighth contest in the 2017 World Baseball Classic to draw more than 40,000 fans eclipsing the 2009 tournament which had seven games of more than 40,000.

The Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic starts at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles with The Kingdom of the Netherlands playing Puerto Rico. Than Japan will face off against the United States.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/22/2017-world-baseball-classic-sets-overall-attendance-record/ 

Schedule set for Semi-Finals at 2017 World Baseball Classic

After Puerto Rico and Team USA joined Japan and the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the 2017 World Baseball Classic this past weekend, the schedule has been set for the final round in Los Angeles. On Tuesday morning at 2am CET Puerto Rico hosts the Dutch team in the first semi-final at Dodger Stadium. On Wednesday morning at 2am CET Japan is home team against the United States. Japan, the Netherlands and Puerto Rico also reached the semi-finals in 2013, while Team USA has taken the spot of the Dominican Republic. The final will be played on Thursday morning at 2am CET. The winner will be called baseball world champion.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/21/schedule-set-for-semi-finals-at-2017-world-baseball-classic/ 

First results Spanish Division de Honor Baseball 2017

The 2017 season in European Baseball started officially this past weekend with the Spanish Division de Honor. Eight games were on the schedule on Saturday and Sunday. Defending champion Astros Valencia got honored for their 2017 title by the Spanish Federation and then lost 0-6 and 2-3 to last year’s runner up Tenerife Marlins.
Yorfrank Lopez threw a complete game shutout in game one to lead the Marlins to the 6-0 win. Victor Velazquez collected four hits and three runs. In game two Yancarlo Franco broke a 2-2 with a sac fly in the top of the eighth to decide the outcome in a 3-2 win.

CBS Sant Boi meanwhile beat Catalonian rival CB Barcelona 2-1 and 4-2. Anthony Vizcaya celebrated his Spain debut by striking out 19 batters in ten innings of a 2-1 ten-inning win in game one. In game two Sant Boi scored three runs in the first en route to the win. Former Barcelona hurler Oscar Jimenez pitched a complete game.

In the other two matchups the teams settled for splits. Baseball Navarra won game one against San Inazio Bilbao 7-5 before losing game two 3-13. CD Pamplona defeated CB Viladecans 10-4 in part one of their twin bill, before Viladecans prevailed 14-10 in a slugfest in the second.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/21/first-results-spanish-division-de-honor-baseball-2017/ 

Spanish Division de Honor opens 2017

The Spanish Division de Honor is starting the 2017 season this spring with Eight teams. The season lasts from March 18 to July 9.
The Astros Valencia are the defending title holders. They are hosting the Tenerife Marlins on game day one. Additionally Baseball Navarra takes on San Inazio Bilbao, CBS Sant Boi squares off against CB Barcelona and CD Pamplona faces record champion CB Viladecans.

As reigning champions the Astros Valencia are entering the new season as the team to beat. Romulo Sanchez and Lowuin Sacramento are leading the pitching staff. The roster also features Thomas Di Benedetto, Blake Ochoa and Yulman Ribeiro. However they will miss Oscar Angulo, who joined Novara in the Italian Baseball League.

Veterans Leslie Nacar, Richard Montiel and Jose Luis Salazar give veteran experience for the team Tenerife Marlins.
One of the main contenders for Tenerife and Valencia could be CB Barcelona this year. They made the offseason splash of the year with the signing of Zael Honora from city rival CBS Sant Boi. He will form a dominant 1-2 punch on the pitching staff with Jorge Balboa.

Anthony Vizcaya is asked to fill the big footsteps of Honora with CBS Sant Boi. Still the club of manager Candelario Diaz will be among the strongest teams in the league.
For the other four clubs Baseball Navarra, CB Viladecans, CD Pamplona and San Inazio Bilbao they most likely will battle for fifth to eighth place in the standings, hoping for the surprise to trip one of the top four.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/21/spanish-division-de-honor-opens-2017/ 

Japan, Netherlands lose Warm-Up Games

Japan and the Netherlands are currently in Arizona to finish up preparations for the semi-finals. Both played MLB clubs Saturday in warm-up games. Japan lost 4-6 to World Series winner Chicago Cubs. The Cubs took a quick 6-1 lead through six innings before Japan cut the deficit with a three-run eighth. Shintaro Fujinami got charged with the loss. He pitched four innings, which could set him up for a final appearance. Ryosuke Kikuchi hit a solo home run.

Meanwhile the Dutch team lost a slugfest 5-12 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona scored in each of the first six innings en route to the win. Rob Cordemans faced Zach Greinke in the pitcher duel, but only stayed in for one frame. Kalian Sams went deep for the Netherlands. He finished with three hits and four RBI.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/21/japan-netherlands-lose-warm-up-games/ 

Munchen-Haar Disciples welcomes new player

It is few days left to fly to the training camp in Netunno, Italy and “Munchen-Haar Disciples” roster was added with a new player. 28-year old Nateshon Thomas left “Bad Homburg Hornets” team to join “Munchen-Haar Disciples”. He is universal player, who can play at any position on the field. In addition, he can be a pitcher as well. “Thomas will compensate the absence of Michael Hubner in outfield”- explains sports director Christopher Howard.

Nateshon will probably play in outfield zone and also on pitcher`s position. Thomas qualified to the British national team after the Bundesliga season. Also he played with Rihard Klein during the European Championship in Netherlands and during qualification to the “World Baseball Classic” tournament in New York, USA.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/17/munchen-haar-disciples-welcomes-new-player/ 

WBC 2017 2nd Round Tokyo Netherlands crush Cuba

Dutch teams have beaten Cuba in the past few years on a regular basis. But what happened in the second round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic had a different quality. The Netherlands scored 13 runs in the first five innings en route to blowing by Cuba 14-1 in seven innings.

Wladimir Balentien led all batters with two home runs and five RBI. Yurendell De Caster and Kalian Sams also went deep. De Caster finished with four RBI. Victor Mesa drove in Cuba’s lone run in the bottom of the fifth.
On the mound Diegomar Markwell issued four hits and a run in six strong innings for the win. Shairon Martis closed it out. Lazaro Blanco conceded five hits, four runs and a base on balls to take the loss.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/16/wbc-2017-2nd-round-tokyo-netherlands-crush-cuba/ 

WBC 2017 2nd Round Tokyo Netherlands hand Israel first loss with Blowout

The Netherlands got payback for their loss to Israel during the first round and handed the 2017 World Baseball Classic surprise team a 12-2 drubbing in eight innings. Both teams are now 1-1 prior to their last game in the second round.
The Dutch team quickly got to business, scoring ten runs between the second and the fourth to take a 10-0 lead. Two more runs in the eighth sealed the victory via ten-run mercy rule. New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius, who is the DH for the Netherlands in the WBC, went 2-for-3 with a home run, three runs scored and five RBI to lead the Dutch offense. Wladimir Balentien collected three hits, three runs and three RBI. Israel only scored through a solo home run by Nate Freiman in the fourth and a RBI single by Blake Gailen in the seventh.
Jair Jurrjens conceded five hits. Juan Carlos Sulbaran, Jim Ploeger and Orlando Yntema closed it out. Corey Baker surrendered three hits, four runs and two о in two-plus innings. Israel used eight pitchers overall in the game, trying to stop the Dutch offense.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/15/wbc-2017-2nd-round-tokyo-netherlands-hand-israel-first-loss-with-blowout/ 

WBC 2017 2nd Round Tokyo: Samurai Japan breaks Tie against Cuba in 8th, stays undefeated

Samurai Japan celebrated their fifth win in as many games at the 2017 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday evening at the Tokyo Dome. In a round-two matchup against Cuba they prevailed 8-5 after scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth. They improved to 2-0 in the second round, while Cuba dropped to 0-2.

In the first seven innings it was a back and forth affair between two of the best teams in Baseball. Tetsuto Yamada and Yurisbel Gracial exchanged home runs in the first two frames to give Cuba a 2-1 lead. Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh tied the game with a RBI single in the third, only to see Cuba regaining the advantage with a two-run single by Victor Mesa in the fourth.

However while Samurai Japan always was able to tie the game after Cuba scored first, the record world champion was not able to respond to Japan’s first lead in the contest.

In the bottom of the eighth Japan broke the tie with a sac fly by Seiichi Uchikawa. Yamada followed shortly after with a two-run home run to make it an 8-5 ballgame. Submariner Kazuhhisa Makita entered the game in the ninth and sealed Nippon’s win with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/15/wbc-2017-2nd-round-tokyo-samurai-japan-breaks-tie-against-cuba-in-8th-stays-undefeated/

WBC 2017 1st Round Jalisco Venezuela rallies in ninth to beat Italy in Tiebreaker

Italy played a very strong game once again, but still will exit the 2017 World Baseball Classic after the first round. Italy lost 3-4 to Venezuela in the tiebreaker game of the Jalisco Pool. Venezuela joins Puerto Rico to advance to the second round from that pool. They will face the Dominican Republic and the United States in San Diego.

Italy took a quick 1-0 lead in the first thanks to a RBI single by Daniel Descalso. A.J. Morris, Italy’s starter, then dominated one of the most powerful lineups in the tournament, throwing five scoreless no-hit innings, issuing just one walk. The pitch count rules forced him out of the game and the first reliever, Trey Nielson, served up a RBI single to Ender Inciarte in the sixth, which was deflected by Chis Colabello at first to tie the game.

However, the Squadra Azzurri answered with John Andreoli’s solo home run, his third in the event, to regain the lead. The score remained the same until the ninth, when Venezuela came through with the decisive rally. Miguel Cabrera tied the game with a solo home run. A RBI single by Rougned Odor and a sac bunt by Alcides Escobar drove in two more runs to extend the advantage to 4-2.
Alex Liddi went deep in the bottom of the ninth to get Italy within a run. But a comeback fell through when the next three batters grounded out to the left side of the infield.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/14/wbc-2017-1st-round-jalisco-venezuela-rallies-in-ninth-to-beat-italy-in-tiebreaker/

Ulli Wermuth, Mainz Athletics part ways

Three weeks before the start of the season the reigning German champion and their head coach Ulli Wermuth are parting ways. German national team player Max Boldt is taking over as player-manager. Don Freeman, who had coached the team together with Wermuth last season, already had left the club to join the Munich-Haar Disciples as their new head coach.

After concluding his playing career with the first Mainz championship in 2007 Wermuth started his coaching career with the A’s working with the youth teams and took over as manager of the Bundesliga team in 2011. Wermuth also was instrumental in the founding of the Rhein Main Baseball Academy, has been working with the German Baseball Academy (DBA) and coached the youth teams of the regional federation for numerous years. He won eight titles with the club, four as a player and four as a coach. In the German Baseball-Bundesliga as a coach he finished with a 112-61 record. In 2016 they beat the Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg in four games for their second national title.

Both sides couldn’t reach an agreement to negotiate a new contract and Wermuth terminated his contract. “After turning a passion into a profession, I would love to continue working in baseball. Still, I probably will take some time off and am looking forward to spend a summer with my family. I am thankful to the Mainz Athletics and leave on good terms”, said Ulli Wermuth.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/14/ulli-wermuth-mainz-athletics-part-ways/ 

Donald Lutz signs with Bravos de Leon in Mexican League

Donald Lutz has signed with the Mexican League club Bravos de Leon. He was announced as new player together with Mitch Lively on Tuesday. The German outfielder/first baseman Lutz already played in Mexico during a couple of winters for Yaquis de Obregon. Now his making his debut in the summer version of the Mexican League.

The 28-year-old Lutz was signed by the Cincinnati Reds and spent nine seasons with the MLB organization. Last year he came back after Tommy John surgery and batted only. In the following offseason he went on to play 12 games for the Brisbane Bandits before returning home to Arizona to get married.

In 2013 he made history becoming the first player developed in Germany to reach the big leagues. Overall he played in 62 MLB games since, but couldn’t find a new organization this winter, therefore going to Mexico to revive his career.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/14/donald-lutz-signs-with-bravos-de-leon-in-mexican-league/

Ben Zobrist in Ukraine

Ben Zobrist (nicknamed Zorilla) is an American professional baseball player. He is second baseman and outfielder of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Zobrist was born and raised in Eureka, Illinois. He started to play baseball at the age of 8. He played during the showcase, and was offered to play college baseball at Olivet Nazarene University. He agreed. Zobrist pitched and also played at shortstop and second base. After that, he transferred to Dallas Baptist University , where he played at shortstop position.

Ben Zobrist played in Wausau, Wisconsin, for the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Summer Collegiate Northwoods League in 2003. He led his team to the League Championship. Zobrist was drafted by the Houston Astros as a shortstop in the sixth round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft. With right-handed pitcher Mitch Talbot, Zobrist was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for first baseman/designated hitter Aubrey Huff and cash on July 2006. He made his major league debut with Tampa Bay on August 2006.

Zobrist exclusively played shortstop in his first two seasons with Tampa Bay. He was also used as an outfielder and second baseman. On July  2015, Zobrist was traded to the Kansas City Royals . He hit .303 in 2015 postseason with 66 at bats, 15 runs scored, 20 hits, 2 home runs, and 6 RBIs. On December 8, 2015, Zobrist agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs’ Game 7 victory in the 2016 World Series, after driving in the first of two go-aheads runs in the top of the 10th inning, he was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.

Ben Zobrist also sponsors baseball tournament in Ukraine. The tournament is organized by Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Ukraine. Ben teaches kids to remember that baseball is very difficult and interesting game. He plays with children, teaches them baseball and explains all the beauty of this sport.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/13/ben-zobrist-in-ukraine/ 

WBC 2017 1st Round Seoul Netherlands come back, walk off against Chinese Taipei

The Netherlands walked off 6-5 against Chinese Taipei at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. With their second win in the first round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, the Dutch team lifted itself and Israel into the second round. The Dutch embassy to Japan in Tokyo congratulated the Netherlands team shortly after the win.
They will face the top two teams from the Tokyo Dome pool in the next phase. Israel had defeated Korea and Chinese and the Netherlands. Both teams will meet in the game for the number one seed.

A bases loaded walk by Jurickson Profar pushed Dwayne Kemp over the plate for the tie-breaking sixth run in the bottom of the ninth. One inning earlier Didi Gregorius had doubled down the line to drive in Xander Bogaerts to tie the game.
It was a back and forth battle between two teams at one level. After the Dutch lead through a RBI single by Dashenko Ricardo in the second, Chinese Taipei used a wild pitch by Jair Jurrjens to even the game in the third and went ahead thanks to a sac fly by Chih-Sheng Lin in the same frame.

In the fourth Gregorius turned the game around with a two-run double. Shortly after he raced home on a single by Ricardo to give the Netherlands a 4-2 advantage. But it was not enough to keep that lead through the remainder of the game. Chih-Hao Chang tied the game for Chinese Taipei with a two-run home run in the fifth. A RBI fielder’s choice by Yi-Chuan Lin even gave them a 5-4 lead. Nonetheless in the end the Netherlands celebrated their victory.

Gregorius finished the game with three doubles and three RBI. Wladimir Balentien went 4-for-4. Jurrijens issued three hits, two runs and three base on balls in three innings. Lars Huijer then gave up three runs on five hits in the next two periods. Mike Bolsenbroek and Shairon Martis followed with four combined scoreless innings to keep the Dutch team in the game. Martis earned the win. Hung-Wen Chen got charged with the loss.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/10/wbc-2017-1st-round-seoul-netherlands-come-back-walk-off-against-chinese-taipei/ 

Israel defeats Netherlands to win Pool A

Israel scored three runs against Rob Cordemans in the first en route to a 4-2 stunning victory over the Netherlands on Thursday at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. With the win Israel continued its miracle story and claimed the number one seed in the first-round pool in Seoul at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. The Dutch team advances in second place.

Facing probably the best European pitcher of the last two decades Israel’s Ty Kelly, Ike Davis and Nate Freiman all scored in the first for a quick 3-0 lead.

The Dutch team got on the board in the third thanks to a RBI groundout by Xander Bogaerts. However thanks to another run by Kelly Israel regained the three-run advantage in the sixth. A throwing error led to a second Dutch run in the eighth, but no successful comeback for the team of manager Hensley Meulens followed.

Even though only pitching the first Jason Marquis earned the win. He pitched for a second time in the tournament. Josh Zeid closed out the win with 1 2/3 scoreless frames. The Netherlands used seven pitchers overall, Israel nine.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/10/israel-defeats-netherlands-to-win-pool-a/ 

WBC 2017 1st Round Seoul Netherlands shut out Korea

The Netherlands cruised to an easy 5-0 win over Korea on Tuesday evening in their first game of the first round at the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. For Korea it was the second loss in the tournament.

Rick van den Hurk and four relievers kept Korea to six hits and four walks in nine scoreless innings. Van den Hurk issued just three hits and two walks in his return to the Dutch team. Diegomar Markwell, Shairon Martis, Tom Stuifbergen and Loek van Mil afterwards closed out the shutout.
At the plate Jurickson Profar got things going with a two-run home run in the first. A RBI double by Andrelton Simmons made it 3-0, while Randolph Oduber capped the scoring with a two-run home run in the sixth.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/10/wbc-2017-1st-round-seoul-netherlands-shut-out-korea/ 

Combined Congress of CEB and ESF

The Confederation of European Baseball and the European Softball Federation held combined Congress in February 2017, in Belgrade (Serbia). During the meeting members held the report-elective conference of CEB and ESF, where the delegates of member countries discussed the issue of the governing bodies. Ukraine was represented at the meeting by the President of the Ukrainian Baseball and Softball Federation, Andriy Nikolaenko, the vice-president of UBSC, Vasyl Kysil, the member of Executive Committee of UBSC and the Head Coach of the Ukrainian national baseball team, Oleg Boyko.

The guest of honor, the President of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), Riccardo Fraccari has made a speech during the Congress. He has arrived to Belgrade to express support to the members of CEB and EFS. Also he has shared his plans towards baseball and softball in the program of the Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020. WBSC plans to provide each National Federation with direct financial grands. It is planned to create partnership relations with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and the National Federations of European countries. During the Congress, the Executive Director, Michael Schmidt has conducted the preliminary negotiations with the Presidents of National Federations and with representatives of UBSC.

Gabriel Vaage from Czech Republic has become the President of ESF. His colleagues noted that he is very respected and hardworking person.
At CEB report-elective conference the delegates elect directly the President and the Executive Committee. They need to elect three vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer and three members of Executive Committee. Each National Federation has the right to give the applicants for elective office. And last year in December, UBSC for the first time used its right to put forward Oleg Boyko, as the candidate for CEB Executive Committee.
As Oleg Boyko told, the elections were quite intense and it was needed to hold five rounds of voting to determine the composition of the Executive Committee.

Before, the delegates elected a Frenchmen, Didier Seminet to be the CEB President. They also elected the first, second and third vice-presidents, the secretary and the treasurer of the Executive Committee. 12 candidates claimed for the remaining three positions in the Executive Committee. Two of them are Italian, Marco Manucci and the representative from Netherlands, Roderik Bock. They have received 50% of votes and both reached the first round.
This year, Oleg Boyko and the representative of Romania have divided next to the last and last positions in this tour. They had to take part in single vote elimination. In the third round of the election to the Executive Committee two candidates have removed their candidatures in favor of the Englishman, John Boyd. He was the member of the previous Executive Committee and worked in the Commission of the Development. The Englishman and the Ukrainian have received the same number of votes in the fourth round. And only in the fifth round the delegates have staffed the Executive Committee of CEB. Oleg Boyko has won the elections with the score 19:13. Thus, the head couch of Ukrainian national team Oleg Boyko became the member of the CEB Executive Committee.

Korea beats Australia in Exhibition Game in Seoul

On Tuesday (28.02) Australia concluded its training camp in South Korea with an exhibition game against Korea at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. Korea prevailed 8-3. For them it was their third win in three games against Cuba and Australia to finish up preparations ahead of the World Baseball Classic. Australia will now face the Hanshin Tigers and Orix Buffaloes on site in Japan prior to facing Japan, Cuba and China during the first round of the WBC next week.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/06/korea-beats-australia-in-exhibition-game-in-seoul/ 

Italy loses to LG Twins in first WBC Warm-Up Game

Italy lost their first warm-up game for the 2017 World Baseball Classic during training camp at Fitch Park in Mesa, Arizona. Alex Liddi and Stefano Desimoni had key hits for Italy, which led 4-3 in the ninth inning. The Squadra Azzurri fell 4-5 to the LG Twins from the Korea Baseball Organisation. Both teams will meet again before Italy takes on the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics in their final exhibition games prior to the WBC next week.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/06/italy-loses-to-lg-twins-in-first-wbc-warm-up-game/ 

MLB announces Rule Changes for 2017 Season

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association today jointly announced a series of modifications that have been approved and will be in place in the 2017 regular season.

The changes include the following:

· The start of a no-pitch intentional walk, allowing the defensive team’s manager to signal a decision to the home plate umpire to intentionally walk the batter. Following the signal of the manager’s intention, the umpire will immediately award first base to the batter.

· A 30-second limit for a manager to decide whether to challenge a play and invoke replay review.

· A conditional two-minute guideline for Replay Officials to render a decision on a replay review, allowing various exceptions.

· A prohibition on the use of any markers on the field that could create a tangible reference system for fielders.

· An addition to Rule 5.07 formalizes an umpire interpretation by stipulating that a pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is at least one runner on base, then such an action will be called as a balk under Rule 6.02(a). If the bases are unoccupied, then it will be considered an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b).

· An amendment to Rule 5.03 requires base coaches to position themselves behind the line of the coach’s box closest to home plate and the front line that runs parallel to the foul line prior to each pitch. Once a ball is put in play, a base coach is allowed to leave the coach’s box to signal a player so long as the coach does not interfere with play.

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/06/mlb-announces-rule-changes-for-2017-season/ 

Ben Zobrist - Message to players (Zorilla Cup 2017)

Zorilla Cup - annual baseball tournament for kids that orginized by FCA Ukraine in partnership with MLB Player Ben Zobrist.

Palauch and Cleasson continue cooperation with Hamburg Stealers

In about a month the new baseball Bundesliga season will start. Therefore, planning of the “Hamburg Stealers” team roster is on the agenda. It was announced the Head Coach, Jens Hawlitzky, can rely on Przemyslaw Palauch (Poland) and Jakob Claesson (Sweden). They have joined the club a year ago and since that time live in Hamburg.

“I am very glad that both players hold true for our team. They were key players of the team during the last season. And because of them, we have taken the third place in North Bundesliga for the first time during 16 years”, – the Head Coach of the team, Hawlitzky says.

Player of the Polish National Team, Przemyslaw Palauch, played on the position of catcher last year and therefore this year he was involved in the infield and outfield zones. Now, Hawlitzky considers the player first of all as a catcher player. Moreover, Palauch will be the coach of the second “Stealers” team which will play in the renewed Second Baseball Bundesliga.

Palauch will be the catcher, who will continue closely cooperate with the player of the starter position, Jakob Claesson. Player of the Swedish National Team played well during the last season and won six games.

“Stealers” starts the new season on April 8/9 with two games with “Bonn Capitals” team.

The first two games will take place on April 15.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/03/palauch-and-cleasson-continue-cooperation-with-hamburg-stealers/  

Groups announced for WBSC U18 Baseball World Cup 2017

The World Baseball Softball Confederation announced the qualified nations and groups for the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2017 that will be staged from 1-10 September in Thunder Bay, Canada.

Twelve nations have advanced via continental championships to earn the right to compete For the Title of World Champion in the U-18 category:
Australia, Japan, Netherlands, South Africa and United States won their respective U-18 continental championships; Chinese Taipei and Korea finished 2nd and 3rd in Asia; Cuba, Mexico and Nicaragua placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Americas; Italy was the runner-up in Europe. Host nation Canada was given an automatic berth.

Of the 12 National Teams advancing to Thunder Bay, ten — No. 1 Japan, No. 2 USA, No. 3 Korea, No. 4 Chinese Taipei, No. 5 Cuba, No. 6 Mexico, No. 8 Canada, No. 9 Netherlands and No. 10 Australia — are currently ranked in the Top 10 of the WBSC Baseball World Rankings, setting the stage for the most elite U-18 baseball competition on record.

The 12 qualified nations have been drawn into two groups of six and will begin the tournament with a round-robin. The top three finishers from each group will advance to the Super Round group stage.

In Group A, host Canada, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Australia, Italy and Nicaragua will compete against each other.

Group B holds three-time defending world champions United States, top-ranked Japan, 11-time U-18 world champions Cuba, Mexico, Netherlands and South Africa.
The winner of the 28 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup will receive 575 world ranking points.

The main venue of the U-18 world championship in Thunder Bay will be the 3,000-seat Port Arthur Stadium.
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/02/groups-announced-for-wbsc-u18-baseball-world-cup-2017/ 

http://baseballua.com/2017/03/02/british-federation-sends-u10-team-to-tournament-in-czech-republic/

The British Baseball Federation has pledged their support to a new overseas tournament opportunity, which will see a United Kingdom u10 team traveling to the Czech Republic for the 2017 ‘Super Cup’ coach-pitch baseball tournament.

Now in it’s the seventh year the Super Cup tournament is organised by the Czech Institute for Baseball Development (IBD), which will see 24 teams from across Europe playing three days of tournament baseball at the Tempo Titans Complex in Prague.

IBD have been promoting the u10 coach pitch format across the Czech Republic for many years. Their Super Cup initiative has helped spread the popularity of the format across Europe, and for the first time in tournament history, a team from the United Kingdom will be participating.

The project has been spearheaded by Team UK General Manager (and Leicester Blue Sox u10 coach) Matt Crawshaw.
The provisional Team UK squad will be added to in the coming weeks as the target roster size is in the region of 13-15 players. Final arrangements are in progress to add players from both London Sports and LYBL to the team and it will be confirmed on 15 March 2017.

Liam Carroll (National Team Official), further went on to say on behalf of the BBF, “Great Britain Baseball is behind this initiative, and we’ll be following along in June. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing prospects for future Great Britain teams, especially as we move closer to the re-launch of a U12 team for the 2018 European Championship Qualifier.”

BBF affiliated club coaches for the tour will be:
Robin Banerjee (Brighton Baseball)
John Gulliver (Brighton Baseball)
Joshua Miles-Knutsen (London Mets)
Steve Rollins (Leicester Blue Sox)
http://baseballua.com/2017/03/02/british-federation-sends-u10-team-to-tournament-in-czech-republic/