Australian WBC roster

[snowy73]

These are my initial thoughts on the Australian squad for the World Baseball Classic - obviously dependent on their availability from Major League organisations (Chris Oxspring and Justin Huber particularly). I will add more as the Australian season progresses.

C Ben Wigmore (Kensington, Sth Australia, Aus.Olympic team)
C Joel Naughton (Phillies)
1B Justin Huber (Royals)
1B Dave Nilsson (1st, DH & catcher - Ex Brewers etc./ ex All Star)
2B Gavin Fingleson (NSW, Australian Olympic team)
2B Trent Durrington (ex-Brewers)
3B Glenn Williams (ex Twins)
SS Brad Harman (Phillies)
SS Brad Dutton (ex College not signed as yet - won the Helms medal MVP for Claxton Shield Australian Champs)
LF
LF Trent Oeltjen (Twins)
CF Brett Roneberg (Baltimore)
CF
RF Tom Brice (White Sox)
SP
SP Adrian Burnside (Devil Rays)
SP Brad Thomas (Japan)
SP Craig Anderson (Orioles)
SP Shane Lindsay (Rockies)
RP Ryan Rowland-Smith(Mariners)
RP Scott Mitchinson (Phillies)
RP Adam Blackley (Boston)
RP Adam Bright (Colorado)
RP Peter Moylan (ex Twins)
CP

[snowy73]

The Japan Baseball Daily reports that Chris Oxspring and Jeff Williams will not play in the WBC for Australia.

This a shame seeing both were very effective against Japan at the Olympics in '04.

And Chris Oxspring had just been named baseballer of the year in Australia

http://www.japanbaseballdaily.com/centralleague1-29-2006.html

[Agente Libre]

Do you know the coaching staff for the Australia team?

[snowy73]

Jon DEEBLE National Head Coach

Tony HARRIS National On-Field Coordinator

Phil DALE National Pitching Coach

Paul ELLIOTT National Coach

Pat KELLY Infield Coach

Craig SHIPLEY

[Agente Libre]

Thanks very much.

Do you know what happened to Mike Young? He used to be heavily involved with the Australian national team as a manager/coach but I haven't seen his name associated with the team in recent years.

[VIBaseball]

I was wondering why Grant Balfour wasn't on the pitching staff, but I see he's still recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery and hopes to return by midseason.

[snowy73]

Thanks very much.

Do you know what happened to Mike Young? He used to be heavily involved with the Australian national team as a manager/coach but I haven't seen his name associated with the team in recent years.

Agente Libre

Interesting you mention Mike Young's name, he is employed by the Australian cricket team (one of the world's leading cricket team's) as a fielding coach and the Australian's fielding is amongst the best in cricket, I also believe he manges in the independent leagues in the US during the US Summer.

:waving

[Kiefer]

What happened to Paul Gonzalez?

He was one of my favorite players.

[snowy73]

What happened to Paul Gonzalez?

He was one of my favorite players.

Paul played the Sydney Olympics in 2004 for Australia and worked last year for the 2005 Australian University Games as a baseball ambassador.

I don't know if he is still playing baseball, from what I can find he is in his mid 30's. He did not play for Queensland in this years Claxton Shield, it would have benn a very hard squad to get into with a lot a young talent coming through.

[DownUnderDodger]

Mike Young was pictured on TV just a couple of days ago during one of the Aussie v Sri Lanka one-day internationals, talking to one of the players. He has been quite a benefit to the Aussie cricketers whose ability in the field is second to none in international cricket, as indicated by snowy73.

Aussie National Coach John Deeble is also the scout for the Red Sox, which is undoubtedly why some of our young talent (and not so young - aka Trent Durrington) are trialling with the BoSox.

John Deeble say as many as 12 places are up for grabs in Australia's 30 man roster for the WBC. Now the Claxton Shield is over Australia's fringe players have another chance to impress during an 8 game series against Taiwan starting in Perth on Saturday. Australia will take a 40 man squad into those games and will also have another 2 match series against the Japanese Champions Chiba Lotte Marines on Feb 13 and 14.

[Kiefer]

Paul played the Sydney Olympics in 2004 for Australia and worked last year for the 2005 Australian University Games as a baseball ambassador.

I don't know if he is still playing baseball, from what I can find he is in his mid 30's. He did not play for Queensland in this years Claxton Shield, it would have benn a very hard squad to get into with a lot a young talent coming through.

Thanks for the info.

I just noticed that Chris Snelling isn't on the roster, he also played for Australia in 2004.

[snowy73]

Thanks for the info.

I just noticed that Chris Snelling isn't on the roster, he also played for Australia in 2004.

Chris is injured again or he would be an automatic selection for Australia, reports out of the US say he may be OK to go for spring training or early in the US season.

The same story for Travis Blackley (long term injury), Grant Balfour (long term injury), Mike Nakamura & Jeff Williams (both now based in Japan).

Chris Oxspring's participation is questionable after ben traded to Japan.