Israeli baseball match (archives)
Photo: Yoni Lev Ari
Israel invited to World Baseball Classic
Country signals will try to add some major-league talent to roster in hopes of making serious run
Israel
has been invited to compete for a spot in the 2013 World Baseball Classic and signaled Thursday that it would try to add some major-league talent to the roster in hopes of making a serious run.
The Israel Association of Baseball said the country would be among 16 countries to play in a new qualifying round. The top four teams will join 12 other countries in the final round.
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In a statement issued by the association, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Israel's participation would be a "wonderful addition" to the tournament.
The invitation is a major accomplishment for Israel, where baseball is a niche sport dwarfed in popularity by football and basketball. A professional baseball league launched in 2007 was dominated by foreign players and lasted just one season.
Still, Israel could potentially emerge as a serious contender in the classic. Tournament rules allow countries to field players who are eligible for citizenship, even if they are not citizens. That could clear the way for recruiting Jewish major leaguers, such as Kevin Youkilis, Ian Kinsler and Jason Marquis.
Association President Haim Katz left the door open to bringing in some professional help. "The plan is to get the best team of all eligible athletes on the field," he said.
According to the association, some 2,000 youths and adults play baseball in Israel. It said the sport has enjoyed growth in recent years since the experiment with the professional league. Israel is scheduled to host and compete in the qualifying round for the 2012 European championship in July.
The 2013 tournament will be the third World Baseball Classic. Japan won the first two competitions, in 2006 and 2009.
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