Austria names roster for historic debut at U-23 Baseball World Cup 2016
The Austrian Baseball Federation announced the selection of players who will compete on behalf of the nation at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup® 2016 in Monterrey, Mexico.
VIENNA – The Austrian Baseball Federation announced the selection of players who will compete on behalf of the nation at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup® 2016 in Monterrey, Mexico.
Austria’s U-23 National Team roster is filled with brightest young athletes active in the Austrian Baseball League – the nation’s highest level of baseball.
Austria, currently ranked No. 33 in the world, will be making the nation’s first-ever appearance in a Baseball World Cup, after having qualified for the world championship via a 2nd Place finish at the U-21 European Baseball Championship 2014 in Brno, Czech Republic.
Austria baseball leaders called the qualification into the U-23 Baseball World Cup “one of the greatest successes in the history of Austrian baseball”.
Austria announces final roster for #U23WorldCup in Monterrey! @WBSC @WBSCBaseball https://t.co/x1cgXi2qnh
— ABF (@baseballaustria) October 10, 2016
Austria will be led by Japanese-born head coach Hiroyuki Sakanashi, who is the current manager of the Vienna Wanderers baseball club. Sakanashi has put together an international staff that includes coaches from Austria, Cuba and the United States.
Austria, in Group B, will make its Baseball World Cup debut against No. 13 Australia on Friday, 28 October.
Tuning up for Monterrey, the U-23 National Teams of Austria and neighbour Czech Republic played a three-game series, with Austria winning one of the battles.
The Austrian U-23 National Team at the #U23WorldCup can be followed on social media via @baseballaustria on Twitter and at Facebook.com/AustrianBaseballFederation.
