Canada to Train for World Baseball Classic in St. Pete

The Canadian World Baseball Classic qualifying team, made up of Canadian professional players heads to St. Petersburg Sept. 12 - 17 to train for the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Regensburg, Germany later in September.

According to a city news release, other teams playing in Regensburg include Germany, Czech Republic, and Great Britain. The winner will participate in the World Baseball Classic to be held in March 2013.

"We are excited to have Team Canada back in St. Petersburg to cheer them on as they train and prepare for the World Baseball Classic Qualifier," said Mayor
Bill Foster in a news release. "And we are especially happy to host the team at the historic Huggins-Stengel ball field. It's another chapter in St. Petersburg's storied history with the sport of baseball."

Baseball Canada's Junior National Team has been involved in for two consecutive seasons.

For this visit, teams will practice and play at the Huggins Stengel Field, 1320 Fifth St. N., where baseball greats Babe Ruth and Casey Stengel once played, a news release said.

Games include Team Canada vs. St. Petersburg College on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. and on Friday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. Free parking and limited bleacher seats are available. A third game is scheduled for September 16 at noon in Sarasota as the team plays the minor league Baltimore Orioles.

"We're very happy to be training in St. Petersburg," said Coach and Director of National Teams  with Baseball Canada Greg Hamilton in a news release. "We've had nothing but great experiences there and know it will be the perfect atmosphere to prepare for the WBC Qualifier."