Brad Ausmus to Coach Israel in WBC
According to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120521&content_id=31904178&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb Brad Ausmus has been named as coach for the Israel WBC team. He has already got committments from ex-major leaguers Shawn Green and Gabe Kapler. If he can convince Ryan Braun he already has his outfield set and he will also work on Kevin Youkilus and Ian Kinsler to play. That will establish a pretty good infield.
Because Youkilus, Kinsler and Braun are Jewish they are eligible for Israeli citzenship, which qualifies them to play for the Isreal team that competes in the WBC. Myworld hopes that Brad Ausmus leaves some spots open for players on the Israeli national team. If he really wants to see the sport grow in Israel it will not do the country any good if the roster is filled with players who have rarely stepped foot in Israel.
Israel will be competing in a qualifying tournament for the WBC in Jupiter, Florida against France, Spain and South Africa. The winner from that group will be eligible to compete in the WBC in 2013. The tournament is being played in November, so the major league season should be over by then and any major leaguers or minor leaguers will be eligible to play for a country they may qualify for citizenship.