The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced that right-handed pitcher Rhiner Cruz (Spain) will not participate in the Global Baseball Games, CARNEXT SAMURAI JAPAN SERIES, between Japan and Team Europe scheduled for Wednesday, 6 and Thursday, 7 March, in Osaka, Japan.
Team Europe's manager Marco Mazzieri replaced Cruz with outfielder Noah Williamson (Switzerland).
Born in 2000, Williamson starred for Switzerland at the 2023 European Championship. After appearing in 37 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) games for the Miami Marlins, he will spend the 2024 season in Japan with the Hyogo Bravers of the independent Kansai League (KANDOK),
"I am thrilled to have been selected to the Team Europe roster," commented Williamson. "Being the first Swiss player to represent Team Europe is an indescribable feeling. Playing against Samurai Japan is a dream come true, and I am fully prepared for the challenge. I hope that my selection inspires players in Switzerland and throughout Europe to believe that anything is possible, that every journey is unique, and that success is achievable with focus and teamwork. I look forward to competing with this exceptional European roster and coaching staff and to promoting the growth of baseball throughout the world."
Williamson grew up in the United States.
"From a young age, I would spend my summers in Switzerland, where my mother is from. This is how I became fluent in French and developed a passion for European baseball. While in college in the United States, I competed for the Swiss National team and was elated to play in front of my family for the first time. Their presence was a turning point for me as it made me realize I had more supporters and family to fight for to make my baseball dream come true. The Swiss National team is like a second family to me, and whenever we play together, even after a long time, the camaraderie is always present. They have shown me the true strength of a close-knit team, and I am eager to show the world the true potential of European baseball."
Williamson also spoke about the opportunity to play in Japan.
"My good friend and Swiss National Team teammate, Andrea Girasole, put me in touch with an agent in Japan who believed that I had the potential to play in the NPB. This led to me joining the Hyogo Bravers and starting my Japanese baseball journey. I have been in Japan for about two months, and I love the food, culture, and baseball style. Although life here is quite different from the United States, I am adjusting well and slowly learning Japanese. I am excited to achieve great results this season with my new team and, if all goes well, eventually make it into the NPB."
Mazzieri decided to go with 13 pitchers and add a right-handed bat to his roster.
"Williamson impressed us at the 2023 European Championship and had been on our list. I think he makes a perfect fit for our roster. He has been in Japan for a while and won't need to adjust to the time zone."
This is Team Europe's full 28-player roster:.
PITCHERS (13) Daniel Alvarez, Fernando Baez (Spain); Matteo Bocchi, Tiago Da Silva, Luis Lugo (Italy); Tom De Blok, Lars Huijer, Kevin Kelly, Franklyn Van Gurp (Netherlands); Martin Schneider (Czechia); Sven Schueller, Marcus Solbach, Dalton Von Schamann (Germany).
CATCHERS (3) Martin Cervenka (Czechia), Gabriel Lino (Spain), Alberto Mineo (Italy).
INFIELDERS (7) Wander Encarnacion, Edison Valerio (Spain); Alex Liddi, Ricardo Paolini (Italy); Martin Muzik (Cechia); Juremi Profar, Sharlon Schoop (Netherlands).
OUTFIELDERS (4) Engel Beltre, Daniel Jimenez (Spain); Mareck Chlup (Czechia), Noah Williamson (Switzerland).
UTILITY (1) Delano Selassa (Netherlands).
Mazzieri's staff includes bench coach Sidney De Jong, pitching coach Alessandro Maestri, third base coach Luis Camargo, first base coach Pavel Chadim, infield coach Evert Jan T'Hoen, bullpen coach Aritz Garcia and special assistant to catching Francisco Cervelli.
The cover picture is by Lenka Brožová.
