SWITZERLAND – The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) announced recently the final rosters for the first round of the 2009 IBAF Baseball World Cup, which will be held across five different European cities next weekend, September 9-12. The rosters contain a World Cup record of more than 100 current professional players not currently on 25-man Major League Baseball (MLB) rosters.

Joining these athletes are 11 former MLB-affiliated players, 13 past and present players from the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), and members of numerous other professional leagues from Europe and around the world. The overall number of professionals competing in this year’s tournament is more than double that of the 2007 World Cup. Additionally, this number is set to increase in the World Cup’s second round, as Italy and the Netherlands – second round hosts which received a round 1 bye – will announce their rosters which promise to include MLB-affiliated players and players from Italian and Dutch professional leagues as well.

“We are thrilled about the continued development of baseball on all levels around the world as a sport for all, and the World Cup, which will begin next week and will go throughout September in Europe, is very symbolic of that growth,” IBAF President Dr. Harvey Schiller said. “It is exciting to see the number of players affiliated with Major League Baseball competing for countries like Great Britain, Sweden, Germany, and the Czech Republic, and we look forward to the enthusiasm that their participation will generate in the first round host nations.”

The MLB organization sending the most players under contract is the Minnesota Twins, who will be represented by 10 players, including six from Australia. All players on the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico rosters are either currently or have previously been under professional contract with an MLB club, while Australia has 17 current or former MLB-affiliated professional players on its roster.

The 2009 Baseball World Cup first round will be held in Regensburg, Germany; Zagreb; Prague; Barcelona; and Sundbyberg, Sweden from Sept 9-12. The second round will be played across Italy and the Netherlands from Sept. 13-20, while the final round will be held exclusively in Italy, from Sept. 22-27. In total, 22 nations will compete for the coveted world championship.

A complete breakdown of past and present MLB-affiliated professional players is below, by country. Players with MLB experience and the teams they played for.

AUSTRALIA
James Beresford (Twins)
Travis Blackley (D-Backs)
Adam Bright (Rockies)
Bradley Harman (Phillies)
Liam Hendriks (Twins)
Justin Huber (Twins)
Luke Hughes (pictured/Twins)
Matthew Kennelly (Braves)
Timothy Kennelly (Phillies)
Paul Mildren (Pirates)
Damian Moss (Rockies)
Joel Naughton (Phillies)
Drew Naylor (Phillies)
Bradley Tippett (Twins)
David Welch (Brewers)
Stefan Welch (Yankees)
Matthew Williams (Twins)
Brendan Wise (Tigers)

CANADA
Cole Armstrong (White Sox)
Chris Begg (Giants)
Shawn Bowman (Mets)

For the latest 2009 World Cup news and complete rosters for each round 1 team, please visit www.2009baseballworldcup.com.

Photo courtesy of baseball.com.au

This article is a press release. BaseballdeWorld offers baseball-related outlets the chance to reach a targeted market of baseball enthusiasts by submitting press releases at news@baseballdeworld.com. However, BaseballdeWorld reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

Tags: IBAF, World Cup