Smoltz, Jones & Jones, Orr, Reitsma, Sosa and Thorman go to World Baseball Classic.

[General]

Smoltz, Joneses selected for WBC
12/05/2005 7:16 PM ETBy Mark Bowman / MLB.com

DALLAS -- When John Smoltz has felt the need to fuel his competitive fire during Spring Training, he's been known to ask for some strokes and challenge Tiger Woods to a round of golf. Competing against the world's best golfer obviously proves more stimulating than pitching in a Grapefruit League game. But this March may prove to be much different for Smoltz and the many other Major Leaguers who could be competing in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

During a press conference held on Monday afternoon at the Winter Meetings headquarters, it was announced that Smoltz, Andruw Jones and Chipper Jones were among the seven Braves players who have agreed to make themselves candidates to represent their respective countries in the WBC.

"I think it's cool they're doing something like this," Andruw Jones said this past summer. "I don't know who will play for The Netherlands. I'm sure they'll ask me and Randall Simon and some of the Minor Leaguers. It's always good to have a chance to represent something. I know the Netherlands always wins the European championship, so it would be fun to compete and see what happens."

While Andruw would play for the Netherlands, Chipper and Smoltz could find themselves as members of the United States team.

Other Braves players who have agreed to potentially represent their countries include Jorge Sosa, who would play for Puerto Rico, and Canadians Chris Reitsma, Pete Orr and Scott Thorman.

On Monday afternoon, World Baseball Classic Inc. announced that 177 Major League players have agreed to participate in the event, which will be held during Spring Training. More candidates are expected to be announced within the coming weeks.

Sixty-man rosters must be submitted by Jan. 17 with the ultimate 30-man rosters finalized 24 hours prior to the start of the tournament. The final rosters must include a minimum of 13 pitchers and three catchers. MLB has committed to using 60 percent of Major League-affiliated players. All the players announced on Monday have the blessings of the players association and the MLB owners, who have collectively spent months in the initial culling process. A specific Major League organization won't have to provide more than 10 players of its 25-man roster (as of Aug. 31) or more than 14 players off its 40-man roster.

In order to protect pitchers, strict pitch counts and mandatory rest periods will be in place during the 16-team event, which will last from March 3-20.

With the pitch count in place, the Braves have confidence that Smoltz won't be put in a position to jeopardize his health for the regular season. Braves trainer Jeff Porter said the veteran pitcher's shoulder has been responding well to the rest he's received during the offseason.

The Braves should have a strong presence on the Canadian team. Reitsma, who has a Baseball Canada symbol tattooed on his shoulder, could provide a strong presence in the bullpen. Orr was the MVP of the Canadian team that finished fourth in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Thorman, a powerful Minor League first baseman, hit .364 for Canada in the Olympic qualifying tournament last month.

"Any time you represent your country, it brings a different atmosphere," Thorman said. "It's more of a sprint than a marathon, with less games. And with each game, more is at stake. I don't know that much about the format, but we're pretty excited about it."

First-round action will be played at four sites. Pool A, consisting of Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and China, will meet at the Tokyo Dome on March 3-5. Pool B, featuring the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South Africa, will play at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Scottsdale Stadium, the Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants, on March 7-10.

Pool C is Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama and The Netherlands, and will play at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 7-10. Pool D, featuring the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Australia and Italy, will play at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., on March 7-10.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to the second round, which takes place March 12-15 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico and Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The semifinals and finals will be held at San Diego's PETCO Park on March 18-20.

[ATLien]

Really wish Smoltz would stay home and get healthy, but can't knock him for representing his country.