Playoffs for the Third World Baseball Classic Begin

The first two qualifying rounds of the third World Baseball Classic-2013 will begin next Thursday in the U.S. city of Jupiter and Regensburg in Germany, organizers confirmed today.

At the Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter will play South Africa, Israel, France and Spain, teams with a little backing in the discipline, and in Armin-Wolf Baseball Arena in Regensburg will do it Canada, Czech Republic, Great Britain and Germany.

According to experts, in the first quartet the favoritism will be for the Africans, but the Israelis may surprise with several U.S. players with Jewish ancestors.

In the German city, the favoritism is for Canadian in detrimental of Czech, Britains and Germans, all with little tradition in baseball.

For November are reserved commitments of the two remaining groups, which will be staged in the park Xinzhuang, Taipei China, and Rod Carew National Stadium, Panama.

For the Asian part will contend, in addition to the hosts, Filipins, Thais and New Zelands, and there is no doubt the triumph of Taipei, while in Panama are expected tp fight more closed, given the presence of Nicaragua, Colombia and Brazil, the latter claims first included in the Classic.

By its tradition and results in the two previous versions, a total of 12 teams have a place in the competition and some have even already defined their management squad.

Such is the case of United States with the renowned Joe Torre in charge for three months, Venezuela, for the third time will have Luis Sojo; Mexico with Rick Renteria and exceptional Fernando Valenzuela in front of pitching, or Puerto Rico, with Edwin Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic and its general manager, Moises Alou, handle the options of Felix Fermin and Tony Pena, coach of the New York Yankees, while Holland seems to opt for Muelens Hensley, who leads the Braves of Margarita in the Venezuelan winter season.  (Taken from PL)