2017 World Baseball Classic – Qualification

Last updated
2017 World Baseball Classic – Qualification
Tournament details
Host countriesFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico
Flag of Panama.svg  Panama
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Dates February 11 – September 25, 2016
Teams16
Tournament statistics
Games played24
Attendance111,795 (4,658 per game)
← 2013
2021 →

The Qualifying Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic was held from February 11 to September 25, 2016. Teams which participated at the 2013 World Baseball Classic were automatically qualified for the 2017 tournament except the four nations which ended up last in their respective groups: Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain had to play in the qualifiers along with 12 other national teams. 16 teams participated, divided into four groups of four teams each. The winners of each of the four groups qualified for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. [1]

Contents

The qualifiers were organized as four independent modified double-elimination tournaments featuring four teams each. The final game was winner-take-all, even if won by the team emerging from the loser's bracket. That is, the team emerging from the winner's bracket might be eliminated despite losing only one game.

Australia, Mexico, Colombia, and Israel won their qualifiers and participated in the 2017 tournament. In their respective brackets, both Australia and Mexico were top seed (signified by home-field advantage) as well as the team that had competed in the 2013 tournament. However, Colombia defeated top seed Panama as well as 2013 participant Spain to advance, while top seed Israel defeated 2013 participant Brazil.

Players

Minor league players

Qualifier 1 featured 16 players who were affiliated with Major League clubs. Nine MLB-affiliated players were on the Australia roster, three on the South Africa roster, two on the New Zealand roster, and two on the Philippines roster. [2]

Qualifier 2 featured 34 players who were affiliated with Major League clubs. Sixteen MLB-affiliated players were on the Mexico roster (representing 57% of the Mexico roster), eleven on the Nicaragua roster, six on the Germany roster, and one on the Czech Republic roster. [3]

Qualifier 3 featured 31 players who were affiliated with Major League clubs. Sixteen MLB-affiliated players were on the Colombia roster (representing 57% of the Colombia roster), ten on the Panama roster, four on the Spain roster, and one on the France roster. [3]

Qualifier 4 featured 41 players who were affiliated with Major League clubs. Twenty MLB-affiliated players were on the Israel roster and four more Israel players were recent Major Leaguers (together representing 86% of the Israel roster), twelve MLB-affiliated players were on the Great Britain roster, nine on the Brazil roster, and none on the Pakistan roster. [4]

Experienced Major League players

Only a few experienced Major Leaguers participated in the spring qualifiers. These included relief pitcher Peter Moylan of Australia, first baseman Adrián González and pitcher Óliver Pérez, both of Mexico, [3] and catcher Carlos Ruiz of Panama.

Qualifier 4 took place in September, after the end of the minor league season but during the Major League season, and thus no active Major League players participated. Although Brazil had a few young Major League players, Israel was the team most likely to be adversely affected by this circumstance. In 2013, Israel also was placed in a qualifier that took place during the Major League season and thus was unable to include a number of Major League players of Jewish descent who had expressed interest in playing for Israel. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] Without these players, Israel narrowly lost its 2013 qualifier to Spain.

Israel's roster included eight former Major Leaguers: catcher Ryan Lavarnway, infielders Ike Davis, Cody Decker, Nate Freiman and Josh Satin, and pitchers Josh Zeid, Jason Marquis and Craig Breslow. [4] On the other hand, infielder Ty Kelly, one of Israel's twenty minor leaguers, had to withdraw from the qualifier after he was called up to the New York Mets.

Venues

Four stadiums were used during the qualifying round: [1]

Qualifier 1Qualifier 2Qualifier 3Qualifier 4
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sydney, Australia Flag of Mexico.svg Mexicali, Mexico Flag of Panama.svg Panama City, Panama Flag of the United States.svg New York City, United States
Blacktown Baseball Stadium Estadio B'Air Rod Carew Stadium MCU Park
Capacity: 3,000Capacity: 19,500Capacity: 27,000Capacity: 7,000
BlacktownBaseball.jpg No Image Rodcarew.jpg Keyspan2001a.jpg

Pools composition

Qualifier 1Qualifier 2Qualifier 3Qualifier 4
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Flag of France.svg  France Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Flag of Panama.svg  Panama Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan

Pakistan was the only team in the 2017 qualifiers participating in the World Baseball Classic for the first time. It replaced Thailand, which participated in the 2013 qualifiers.

Qualifying round

Qualifier 1

Australia won all three of its games to advance. South Africa defeated New Zealand in the opening round and again in the losers' bracket to reach the final game, but lost to Australia 12–5.

 PreliminariesSemifinalsQualifier
               
–Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 7 
–Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 1 
 W1Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 1 
 W2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 4 
–Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 1
–Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 11 
 W4Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 12Q1W
 W5Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 5–
L1Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 17 
L2Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 7 
 W3Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 2
 L4Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 9 
DateLocal TimeRoad TeamScoreHome TeamInn.VenueGame TimeAttendanceBoxscore
Feb 11, 201613:00 South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg7–1Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand   Blacktown Baseball Stadium 2:58529 Boxscore
Feb 11, 201619:30 Philippines  Flag of the Philippines.svg1–11Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 7 Blacktown Baseball Stadium 2:561,442 Boxscore
Feb 12, 201613:00 Philippines  Flag of the Philippines.svg7–17Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 8 Blacktown Baseball Stadium 3:18623 Boxscore
Feb 12, 201619:30 South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg1–4Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia   Blacktown Baseball Stadium 2:462,237 Boxscore
Feb 13, 201618:30 South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg9–2Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand   Blacktown Baseball Stadium 3:321,367 Boxscore
Feb 14, 201614:00 South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg5–12Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia   Blacktown Baseball Stadium 3:291,766 Boxscore

Qualifier 2

Mexico won all three of its games to advance. Nicaragua defeated both of the other two teams but lost by wide margins in both of its games against Mexico. The Czech Republic performed surprisingly well, giving close games to both Mexico and Nicaragua and defeating Germany by a wide margin.

 PreliminariesSemifinalsQualifier
               
–Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 4 
–Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 5 
 W1Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 0 
 W2Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 11 
–Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 1
–Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 2 
 W4Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 12Q2W
 W5Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 1–
L1Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 3 
L2Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 15 
 W3Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 6
 L4Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 7 
DateLocal TimeRoad TeamScoreHome TeamInn.VenueGame TimeAttendanceBoxscore
Mar 17, 201612:30 Germany  Flag of Germany.svg4–5Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 10 Estadio B'Air 3:343,773 Boxscore
Mar 17, 201619:30 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg1–2Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico   Estadio B'Air 2:2914,711 Boxscore
Mar 18, 201612:30 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg15–3Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 8 Estadio B'Air 2:592,187 Boxscore
Mar 18, 201619:30 Nicaragua  Flag of Nicaragua.svg0–11Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 7 Estadio B'Air 2:3212,715 Boxscore
Mar 19, 201618:00 Nicaragua  Flag of Nicaragua.svg7–6Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 11 Estadio B'Air 3:576,558 Boxscore
Mar 20, 201619:00 Nicaragua  Flag of Nicaragua.svg1–12Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 7 Estadio B'Air 2:4816,521 Boxscore

Qualifier 3

In the opening round, hosts Panama defeated France while 2013 participant Spain fell to Colombia. France then eliminated Spain while Colombia defeated Panama. Panama eliminated France to gain a rematch against Colombia, which won the final game 2–1.

 PreliminariesSemifinalsQualifier
               
–Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 9 
–Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2 
 W1Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 6 
 W2Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 3 
–Flag of France.svg  France 2
–Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 9 
 W4Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 2Q3W
 W5Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 1–
L1Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 3 
L2Flag of France.svg  France 5 
 W3Flag of France.svg  France 4
 L4Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 7 
DateLocal TimeRoad TeamScoreHome TeamInn.VenueGame TimeAttendanceBoxscore
Mar 17, 201613:00 Colombia  Flag of Colombia.svg9–2Flag of Spain.svg  Spain   Rod Carew Stadium 3:422,145 Boxscore
Mar 17, 201620:00 France  Flag of France.svg2–9Flag of Panama.svg  Panama   Rod Carew Stadium 2:4111,744 Boxscore
Mar 18, 201613:00 France  Flag of France.svg5–3Flag of Spain.svg  Spain   Rod Carew Stadium 3:42852 Boxscore
Mar 18, 201620:00 Colombia  Flag of Colombia.svg6–3Flag of Panama.svg  Panama   Rod Carew Stadium 3:1112,559 Boxscore
Mar 19, 201620:00 Panama  Flag of Panama.svg7–4Flag of France.svg  France   Rod Carew Stadium 3:192,016 Boxscore
Mar 20, 201618:00 Panama  Flag of Panama.svg1–2Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia   Rod Carew Stadium 3:076,204 Boxscore

Qualifier 4

Team Israel celebrating on the field after defeating Great Britain on September 22, 2016. ISR celebrating WBC qualifier.jpg
Team Israel celebrating on the field after defeating Great Britain on September 22, 2016.

In the opening round, Israel defeated Great Britain while 2013 participant Brazil defeated Pakistan. Great Britain then eliminated Pakistan while Israel defeated Brazil. Great Britain eliminated Brazil to gain a rematch against Israel, which won the final game 9–1.

 PreliminariesSemifinalsQualifier
               
–Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 0 
–Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 10 
 W1Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 0 
 W2Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 1 
–Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 2
–Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 5 
 W3Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 9Q4W
 W5Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 1–
L1Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 0 
L2Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 14 
 W4Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 4
 L3Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 3 
DateLocal TimeRoad TeamScoreHome TeamInn.VenueGame TimeAttendanceBoxscore
Sep 22, 201612:00 Pakistan  Flag of Pakistan.svg0–10Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 7 MCU Park 2:401,210 Boxscore
Sep 22, 201619:00 Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg2–5Flag of Israel.svg  Israel   MCU Park 3:083,919 Boxscore
Sep 23, 201612:00 Brazil  Flag of Brazil.svg0–1Flag of Israel.svg  Israel   MCU Park 2:561,862 Boxscore
Sep 23, 201619:00 Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg14–0Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 7 MCU Park 2:491,359 Boxscore
Sep 24, 201620:00 Brazil  Flag of Brazil.svg3–4Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain   MCU Park 2:541,480 Boxscore
Sep 25, 201618:00 Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg1–9Flag of Israel.svg  Israel   MCU Park 2:442,016 Boxscore

Attendance

111,795 (avg. 4,658; pct. 33.0%)

Statistics leaders

Additional rules

A pitcher threw no more than 85 pitches per game in the Qualifying Round unless the pitcher needed more to complete a batter's plate appearance.

A pitcher must:

A mercy rule came into effect when one team led by either fifteen runs after five innings, or ten runs after seven innings.

An alternative version of the IBAF's extra inning rule was also used. If after 10 innings the score is still tied, each half inning thereafter starts with runners on second and first base. The runners are the eighth and ninth hitters due in that inning respectively. For example, if the number five hitter is due to lead off the inning, the number three hitter is on second base, and the number four hitter on first base. For the first time in the World Baseball Classic, this rule was actually employed in this year's qualifiers, as the Qualifier 2 game between Nicaragua and the Czech Republic went into the 11th inning. Nicaragua scored three runs in the top of the inning, the Czech Republic only two in the bottom, [14] so Nicaragua went on to the final game of the bracket.

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References

  1. 1 2 "2017 World Baseball Classic qualifiers are set". MLB.com. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  2. ↑ "Managers, schedule, rosters set for Classic Sydney qualifier". WorldBaseballClassic.com. 28 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-02-19. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Rosters, schedules set for next Classic qualifiers". WorldBaseballClassic.com. 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-03-14. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  4. 1 2
  5. ↑ "World Baseball Classic: Israel, managed by Bra". Sporting News. May 21, 2012. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  6. ↑ Belson, Ken (June 1, 2011). "Israel to Participate in 2013 World Baseball Classic". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Israel invited to qualify for World Baseball Classic". JTA. June 2, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  8. ↑ Jeremy Fine. "The Great Rabbino" . Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  9. ↑ Aaron Yellin (June 7, 2011). "Israel to Participate in 2013 World Baseball Classic". The Forward. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-11-06. Retrieved 2013-03-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ↑ Ben, Daniel (May 1, 2010). "Baseball / Jewish MLB stars could play for Israel". Haaretz. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  12. ↑ Leichenger, Alex (June 21, 2011). "Jewish baseball player supports Little League efforts". Jewish Journal. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  13. ↑ Belson, Ken (June 8, 2011). "Shawn Green Says He'd Play for Israel in World Baseball Classic". The New York Times. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  14. ↑
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