The Canadian Baseball Federation recently announced their National Team Roster for the Olympic Games in Beijing this August. 24 former Major League and current Minor League players on the single to triple A level are trying to defend fourth place in the tournament. Four are celebrating their second Olympic participation after Athens 2004. 15 of the 24 played in the Qualifier in March 2008 in Taiwan. The biggest names on the roster are certainly the former Major Leaguers Adam Stern (OF, Red Sox), Rheal Cormier (LHP, Phillies) and Chris Reitsma (RHP, Mariners). The roster also features Stubby Clapp (2B, Cardinals), Nick Weglarz, Jimmy VanOstrand and Matt Rogelstad, who impressed in Taiwan.
The roster, the coaching and the supporting staff are going to meet each other on July 28th in Toronto, Canada. They are travelling to Raleigh Durham, North Carolina on July 31st for a four-game exhibition series against Team USA. They will arrive in Beijing on August 6th and after two practice days the team is going to face the Netherlands in a two-game warm-up series on August 9 and 10. They are open their Olympic tournament schedule on August 13th against host China.
2008 Canada Olympic Team Media Guide (pdf-file)
Photo: © International Baseball Federation (www.ibaf.tv)