Taipei, Jan. 16 (CNA) Taiwan-born New York Yankees pitcher Wang Chien-ming highlighted a 30-man final roster of the Chinese Taipei national baseball team, which was announced Monday by the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association (CTBA) , for the first World Baseball Classic (WBC).
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander, who as a rookie started 18 games last season for the Yankees, is among 13 pitchers selected by the CTBA. Three catchers, eight infielders and six outfielders were also announced at a press conference.
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament featuring U.S. Major League players, to be first held in March 2006, then in 2009, and every four years thereafter. It is the first international baseball tournament to feature Major League players.
The availability of Wang Chien-ming is still uncertain, and the Yankees will have the final say on whether to allow Wang to enter the tournament. The availability of some local players who have recently sustained injuries also remains unclear.
"I always go into a battle with what I have," said Lin Hwa-wei, head coach of the Chinese Taipei national team. "We'll replace the players who can't play and go from there."
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Kuo Hong-chih, former Dodgers player Chen Chin-feng and Brothers Elephants power-hitter Peng Cheng-min are among notable players picked.
Eleven of the 30 players are currently playing overseas while two amateurs -- Tsung Sung-wei and Chan Chih-yao -- made the list. And the selection committee selected more left-hand pitchers and hitters than before, since lacking a "southpaw squad" is always the achilles heel of the Taiwan team. The final 30-man roster is listed as follows:
Pitcher (13): Wang Chien-ming (NY Yankees), Kuo Hong-chih (LA Dodgers), Chiang Chien-ming (Yomiuri Giants), Yang Yao-hsun (Softbank Hawks), Keng Po-hsuan (Toronto Blue Jays), Cheng Chi-hung (Blue Jays), Lin En-yu (Macoto Cobras), Hsu Chu-chian (Cobras), Lin Yin-chieh (Rakuten Eagles), Pan Wei-lun (Uni-President Lions), Yang Chien-fu (Sinon Bulls), Chu Wei-ming (Chinatrust Whales), Tseng Sung-wei (Fubon Bulls).
Catchers (3): Kao Chih-kang (Lions), Yeh Chun-chang (Sinon Bulls), Chen Feng-min (La New Bears).
Infielders (8): Hu Chin-lung (Dodgers), Chen Yung-chi (Seattle Mariners), Yang Chung-shou (Nippon Ham Fighters), Hsieh Chia-hhian (Cobras), Lin Chi-shen (Bears), Yang Shen (Lions), Cheng Chang-ming (Whales), Chang Tai-shan (Sinon Bulls).
Outfielders (6): Cheng Chin-feng (Bears), Lin Wei-chu (Hanshin Tigers), Peng Cheng-min (Brothers), Huang Lung-yi (Bears), Chan Chi-yao (Fubon Bulls), Chang Chien-ming (Sinon Bulls).
Some players on the 30-man roster will be on a team that heads to Australia on Jan. 30 for a training tour before leaving for Tokyo on Feb. 27 for the WBC.
Sixteen teams are divided into four groups in the WBC. Taiwan is bracketed in Pool A with China, Japan and South Korea, and will play the round-robin first round games in Tokyo from March 3-5. The top two teams of each group advance to the second round. The final four will be played in San Diego from March 18-20.