Israel
Israel
American immigrants started playing baseball in Israel in the 1970s soon after arriving to this country. In December 1986, the Israel Association of Baseball (IAB) was formed as a non-profit organization to develop and promote baseball in Israel. The IAB works to promote baseball throughout Israel, in all areas of the country and in all cultural and socio-economic sections of the population. Trained coaches throughout Israel work to teach the fundamentals of baseball.

The Israel Baseball League started in 2007, featuring six teams: The Bet Shemesh Blue Sox, the Modi'in Miracle, the Netanya Tigers, the Petach Tikva Pioneers, the Ra'anana Express and the Tel Aviv Lightning. The IBL has attracted some major-league managers, including veterans Art Shamsky, Ken Holtzman and Ron Blomberg. Dan Duquette, a former general manager of the Red Sox and the Expos and current General Manager of the Baltimore Orioles, was the league's director of player development.

Israel proved to be the darlings of the 2017 tournament, shocking everyone with a perfect 3-0 trip through Pool A in Seoul. Their journey ended in Pool E in Tokyo but not before the team made its mark on the international stage.
First Round (Round Robin)
Pool A: Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome
Gm 1 kor
2
1
F/10
Mon, Mar 6
4:30 AM EST
Mon, Mar 6
6:30 PM KST
gameday
Gm 2 tpe
15
7
F
Mon, Mar 6
10:00 PM EST
Tue, Mar 7
12:00 PM KST
gameday
Gm 5 isr
2
4
F
Wed, Mar 8
10:00 PM EST
Thu, Mar 9
12:00 PM KST
gameday
Second Round (Round Robin)
Pool E: Tokyo Tokyo Dome
Gm 1 isr
1
4
F
Sat, Mar 11
10:00 PM EST
Sun, Mar 12
12:00 PM JST
gameday
Gm 3 isr
12
2
F
Mon, Mar 13
6:00 AM EDT
Mon, Mar 13
7:00 PM JST
gameday
Gm 6 jpn
3
8
F
Wed, Mar 15
6:00 AM EDT
Wed, Mar 15
7:00 PM JST
gameday
2016 Qualifiers
Qualifier 4: Brooklyn MCU Park
Gm 2 isr
2
5
F
Thu, Sep 22
7:00 PM EDT
Thu, Sep 22
6:00 PM EDT
gameday watch
Gm 3 isr
0
1
F
Fri, Sep 23
12:00 PM EDT
Fri, Sep 23
11:00 AM EDT
gameday watch
Gm 6 isr
1
9
F
Sun, Sep 25
6:00 PM EDT
Sun, Sep 25
5:00 PM EDT
gameday

ROUND ROBIN STANDINGS

Pool A: Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome

Israel (3-0) and Kingdom of the Netherlands (2-1) advance to Pool E: Tokyo

Rank Team W L
1 Israel isr 3 0
2 Kingdom of the Netherlands ned 2 1
3 Korea kor 1 2
4 Chinese Taipei tpe 0 3
Pool E: Tokyo Tokyo Dome

Japan (3-0), Kingdom of the Netherlands (2-1) advance to Championship Round in Los Angeles

Rank Team W L
1 Japan jpn 3 0
2 Kingdom of the Netherlands ned 2 1
3 Israel isr 1 2
4 Cuba cub 0 3

HEADLINES

For Israel to get this far, Dayenu

Those hoping Team Israel's World Baseball Classic run would last at least one more day were disappointed by the outcome of Wednesday's game against Japan, a 8-3 loss that ended Israel's ride.

Japan stays undefeated, off to semifinals

Japan completed an undefeated run through the first two rounds of the World Baseball Classic with an 8-3 win over Israel on Wednesday, sending the two-time champions back to the semifinals for the fourth consecutive tournament.

Zeid stymies Japan's high-powered offense

Many pitchers -- even while working their usual role -- have had a tough time slowing down Japan. Josh Zeid, who is normally a bullpen arm for Team Israel, was able to do it as a starter.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Roster
Pitchers
# Name B/T Height Weight Birth Date
19 Dylan Axelrod R-R 5'10" 195lbs. 07/30/1985
38 Corey Baker R-R 6'1" 170lbs. 11/23/1989
27 Jeremy Bleich L-L 6'2" 215lbs. 06/18/1987
41 Danny Burawa R-R 6'3" 220lbs. 12/30/1988
24 Brad Goldberg R-R 6'4" 220lbs. 02/21/1990
33 Tyler Herron R-R 6'2" 210lbs. 08/05/1986
35 Jake Kalish S-L 6'2" 210lbs. 07/09/1991
25 Alex Katz L-L 5'11" 195lbs. 10/12/1994
17 Dean Kremer R-R 6'3" 180lbs. 01/07/1996
26 Jared Lakind L-L 6'2" 205lbs. 03/09/1992
21 Jason Marquis L-R 6'1" 220lbs. 08/21/1978
44 Troy Neiman R-R 6'6" 230lbs. 11/13/1990
16 R.C. Orlan R-L 6'0" 215lbs. 09/28/1990
46 Zack Thornton* R-R 6'3" 215lbs. 05/19/1988
6 Joey Wagman* L-R 6'0" 185lbs. 07/25/1991
28 Josh Zeid R-R 6'4" 220lbs. 03/24/1987
Catchers
36 Ryan Lavarnway R-R 6'4" 240lbs. 08/07/1987
9 Nick Rickles R-R 6'3" 220lbs. 02/02/1990
Infielders
5 Scott Burcham R-R 5'11" 185lbs. 06/17/1993
29 Ike Davis L-L 6'4" 220lbs. 03/22/1987
14 Cody Decker R-R 5'11" 218lbs. 01/17/1987
45 Nate Freiman R-R 6'8" 245lbs. 12/31/1986
56 Ty Kelly S-R 6'0" 180lbs. 07/20/1988
22 Tyler Krieger S-R 6'2" 185lbs. 01/16/1994
Outfielders
18 Zach Borenstein L-R 6'0" 225lbs. 07/23/1990
23 Sam Fuld L-L 5'9" 180lbs. 11/20/1981
2 Blake Gailen L-L 5'9" 180lbs. 03/27/1985
7 Mike Meyers R-R 6'1" 190lbs. 12/28/1993
Designated Pitcher Pool
54 Richard Bleier L-L 6'3" 215lbs. 04/16/1987
32 Craig Breslow L-L 6'0" 190lbs. 08/08/1980
47 Scott Feldman L-R 6'6" 225lbs. 02/07/1983
39 Jake Fishman L-L 6'3" 195lbs. 02/08/1995
4 Kenny Koplove R-R 6'2" 170lbs. 08/02/1993
12 Shlomo Lipetz R-R 6'4" 220lbs. 02/11/1979
72 Ryan Sherriff L-L 6'1" 185lbs. 05/25/1990
* Designated Pool Pitcher on the active roster that is eligible to participate in one or more consecutive rounds. After each round, these pitchers may be replaced on the Roster with another pitcher from that Federation’s Designated Pitcher Pool.
Coaching Staff
# Name Position
1 Jerry Weinstein Manager
30 Andrew Lorraine Pitching Coach
3 Alon Leichman Assistant Pitching Coach
10 Nate Fish First Base Coach
48 Pat Doyle Third Base Coach
20 Tom Gamboa Bench Coach
15 Dan Rootenberg Bullpen Coach

2017 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC GLOBAL SPONSORS