NEW IBAF CHIEF WANTS WORLD CUP TO BE WBC QUALIFIER

The newly-installed president of the International Baseball Federation wants the IBAF’s World Cup tournament to serve as a qualifier for the next World Baseball Classic.

Italy’s Riccardo Fraccari, who was elected in December to replace Harvey Schiller of the USA as IBAF chief, says, “It is our duty to answer for member countries that qualification for the WBC can be handled by the IBAF.” The IBAF, which was formed in 1938, has 112 member countries, including all 16 nations in each of the first two WBC’s.

Major League Baseball has overseen the selection of WBC competitors in 2006 and 2009. The next WBC is set for 2013. Speaking in Cuba, Fraccari said, “We should discuss this with the majors. It isn’t decided yet, but I think we can expand on the issue.”