Recruitment plans for the Great Britain Baseball Senior National Team have been revealed today ahead of an exciting year of international baseball events in 2012.
Tryout events will be staged in London, New York, San Diego and Toronto to help shape the rosters competing at the 2012 European Baseball Championships in September and the World Baseball Classic qualifying events at the end of the year.
In recent years, the Great Britain national team effort has aimed to bring together young talent in the UK with players who have experience playing around the world.
This approach has seen Team GB claiming a silver medal at the 2007 European Championships and competing against leading international teams such as Cuba and Japan in the 2009 Baseball World Cup.
The latest recruitment drive will begin in San Diego on 8 January 2012 and the full details from the press release are copied below.
Team GB is recruiting for the World Baseball Classic
The Great Britain Baseball Senior National Team is recruiting talented ballplayers from all parts of the globe.
In late 2012, Team GB will compete at the European Championships in Holland and the World Baseball Classic qualifying rounds. The British Federation is assembling a competitive roster to help them win both competitions, and they are calling for all British ballplayers with high school, collegiate or professional experience – living in the UK or further afield – to contact the coaching staff.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent Great Britain at the most elite and prestigious level,” said Jason Greenberg, General Manager of Team GB. “Our players travel to fascinating places and compete against the world’s top talents, and the WBC and the Euros will provide unique exposure to MLB and international scouts.”
Team Captain Brad Marcelino added, “We have a good mixture of personalities that love to get after it and compete for every pitch. Our team has a history of winning and playing above outsiders’ expectations. We will be facing opponent rosters comprised of mostly MLB and ex-MLB players, and we are prepared to take GB to the next level in 2012. No competitive ball player will want to pass this up, as the experience of playing for your country is one you will never forget.”
ELIGIBILITY TO PLAY IN THE WBC
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association set the eligibility requirements for the World Baseball Classic. Each player on the GB roster must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1) Holds British citizenship and carries a valid passport
2) Is a permanent legal resident in the UK
3) Was born in the UK or British territories
4) Is a direct descendant of a British citizen
5) Has a parent who was born in the UK or British territories
6) Is eligible for British citizenship or to hold a UK passportThe full eligibility rules as stipulated by World Baseball Classic Inc. can be found online at:
http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/about/rules.jsp#player_eligibilityELIGIBILITY TO PLAY IN THE EUROS
In order to represent Great Britain in a European (CEB) competition, players must:
- Hold British citizenship
- Have a valid UK passport
2012 EVALUATIONS AND COMPETITIONS
GB Baseball is scheduling tryout events for potential recruits in England, the United States and Canada. The first event will take place at the University of San Diego on Sunday 8 January. Any player with high school, collegiate or professional experience who is eligible to represent Britain in the World Baseball Classic or in European competition is encouraged to attend.
GB Baseball West Coast Tryouts
Cunningham Stadium
University of San Diego
Sunday 8 January 2012
1pm – 6pmAdditional evaluation events will be held in the Toronto, New York and London areas in April or May 2012. Specific dates and venues will be announced shortly after the winter holidays. Visit www.gbbaseball.com to sign up for the Team GB newsletter.
REGISTER TO TRYOUT / CONTACT THE STAFF
If you are interested in representing Great Britain or attending an evaluation event please contact Brian Essery (GB Coach and Recruitment Director) and Jason Greenberg (General Manager) at recruitment@gbbaseball.com.
Pre-registration for the 2012 evaluation events is mandatory.
2012 promises to be an exciting year for the Great Britain Baseball Senior National Team. If you meet the above criteria and want to give yourself a chance to be part of it, make sure to get in contact with Brian and Jason.
