* The star of the 2009 World Baseball Classic was 1B Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) and he'll likely hit third again come next March after the band of 28 qualified by winning the WBC qualifier ....  2013 Canadians Projected Draft list Letters of Intent 2012 Canadians in the Minors  2012 Canadians in College 2012 Canadians Drafted

Vids vs. Germany in finale -- Canada-Germany highlights .... Whitt, Albers, Frady post-game presser .... Robinson hits two-run HR .... Loewen's two-run homer .... Jimmy VO's 4th HR -- unofficial MVP .... Loewen makes grab on warning track .... Bowman scores final run

Vids vs. Germany -- Game highlights .... Tosoni hits grand slam .... Smith triples in run .... Gillies homer breaks 4-4 tie .... VanOstrand hits solo shot .... VanOstrand hits three-run homer in first 

ADAM MORISSETTE -- Canada qualifies with 11-1 over Germany .... Canada thumps Germany 16-7 as Jimmy VO goes deep twice, along with Gillies, Lennerton and Tosoni .... Jimmy VO, Shawn Hill pace Canucks to 11-1 win over Great Britain .... Honours for Canada, Albers .... Lennerton homers, Hill goes three scoreless ....  Albers, Avery get A's for effort  .... Mark Hardy works three scoreless in 12-0 win over SPC .... Canada sets roster for WBC qualifier 

Vids vs. Great Britain .... Canada beats Great Britain 11-1 ....  Skylar Stromsmoe hits bases-clearing double ....  Jimmy VanOstrand hits tw0-run HR ....  Shawn Hill impressive ....  Adam Loewen hits RBI double ....

TIM SMITH -- One meal remains .... Canada makes the trip to Germany ....  WBC beards are in  .... Blogging Day 1

ALEXIS BRUDNICKI -- Loewen has had his ups and downs .... Albers starts WBC finale in Germany .... Magnuson has scoreless outing vs. Germany ....  Canada favoured in WBC qualifier ....  Stern: Canada faces tough road 

TODD DEVLIN -- Jimmy VO has 1.900 OPS ....  Jamieson lone rook on WBC squad

GEOFF MORROW -- Canada, flavored with Harrisburg Senators thump Great Britain in WBC qualifier

JOSH TIMMERS -- WBC Qualifier scouting reports

BASEBALL AMERICA -- Germany, France release rosters

International vet, Shawn Hill,  starts opener for Canada 

 

By Bob Elliott

Projected World Baseball Classic roster for next March ...

Unlike 2009 the Rogers Centre will not host a pool. While crowds were good in Toronto, a secondary field for teams to work out makes it an unsatisfactory location.

Minnesota Twins LHP Scott Diamond tweeted "Congratulations to @baseballcanada for qualifying for the #WBC in Germany!"

One man's guess ...

 

Possible Team Canada WBC roster

Starters

Ryan Dempster, Gibsons, B.C. Rangers/Cubs (12-7, 3.07 ERA)

Scott Diamond, Guelph, Twins (12-8, 3.64)

Erik Bedard, Navan, Ont., Pirates (7-14, 5.01)

Jeff Francis, North Delta, B.C., Rockies (5-6, 5.54)

 

 

Relievers

John Axford, Port Dover, Brewers (5-7, 4.68, 32 saves)

James Henderson, Calgary, Brewers (0-2, 3.38, 3 saves)

Jesse Crain, Toronto, White Sox (2-3, 2.76)

Phillippe Aumont, Gatineau, Que., Phillies (0-1, 4.35, 1 save)

Chris Leroux, Mississauga, Pirates (0-0, 6.30)

Scott Mathieson, Aldergrove B.C. Yomiuri Giants (2-0, 1.80, 10 saves)

Dustin Molleken, Regina, Hokkaido-Nippon Ham Fighters (1-1, 3.38)

James Paxton, Ladner, B.C. Mariners-AA (9-4, 3.05)

Kyle Lotzkar, Tsawwassen, B.C. Reds-AA (4-6, 5.21)

Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, Tex. Pirates-AA (3-0, 1.59)

Andrew Albers, North Battleford, Sask. Twins-AA (4-3, 3.75)

Trystan Magunson Vancouver, Jays-AA (0-1, 1.95, 5 saves)

 

 

Lineup

1. 3B Brett Lawrie, Langley, Jays (.272, 9, 44)

2. C Russell Martin, Montreal, Yankees (.203, 18, 48)

3. 1B Joey Votto, Etobicoke, Reds (.340, 14, 43)

4. DH Justin Morneau, New Westminster, B.C., Twins (.276, 19, 77)

5. LF Jason Bay, Trail, B.C., Mets (.155, 8, 20).

6. RF Michael Saunders, Victoria, Mariners (.249, 17, 51)

7. 2B Taylor Green, Comox, B.C. Brewers (.193, 3, 14)

8. SS Peter Orr, Newmarket, Phillies (.306, 0, 6)

9. CF Tyson Gillies, Langley, Phillies-AA (.304. 4, 24)

Bench

C George Kottaras, Markham, A’s/Brewers (.218, 8, 30)

INF Jonathan Malo, Laval, Que., IND-Quebec (.288, 12, 63)

1B Jim VanOstrand, Richmond, B.C. Nationals-AA (.310, 10, 30).

INF Mark Teahen, St. Marys, Ont., Nationals-AAA (.260, 3, 63).

OF Rene Tosoni, Coquitlam, B.C. Twins-AAA-AA (.224, 4, 23)

OF Adam Loewen, Surrey, B.C., Mets-AAA (.227, 8, 26)