The Colombian Baseball Federation (FCB) has named Luis Felipe Urueta manager of its National Team for the World Baseball Classic 2023.
A former switch-hitting minor league outfielder, Urueta, 41, coached Colombia in the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifier and managed them to their first trip to the World Baseball Classic, winning the qualifier to the 2017 edition.
He started his coaching career in 2007 in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization and made the Major League Baseball (MLB) coaching staff in the 2018 season. He became the bench coach in the 2020 season.
Urueta also managed the Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League.
José Mosquera, a minor league coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates of MLB and the manager of the Caimanes de Barranquilla of the Colombian Winter League, will serve as Urueta's assistant coach.
FCB also named WBSC Baseball Division board member Jimmy Char as the team's general manager. Former MLB superstar Edgar Renteria will serve as the sports manager.
"We chose an outstanding group with experience and knowledge in the organization of the National Team," commented FCB president Mauricio Char.
World No. 11 Colombia will compete in Group C and will face from 11 to 15 March 2023 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, the hosts, defending World Champions and World No. 5 USA, No. 12 Canada, No. 5 Mexico and the winner of the qualifier scheduled in Panama in October.
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