English: In stadium ad for the 2009 WBC shown at the Rogers Centre. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nine players within the Seattle Mariners organization have been invited to play in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The WBC is a tournament that takes place on an international level and was created by Major League Baseball and sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation. Prior to 2008, the WBC coincided with Olympic baseball. The winning team of the tournament is declared to be the World Champion. The tournament is to occur every four years, beginning in 2009, so we are due for the WBC this year.

The players who have been selected for the WBC are:

For Venezuela – Pitcher Felix Hernandez will be on a team alongside San Francisco Giant Pablo Sandoval, Detroit Tiger Miguel Cabrera, and Arizona Diamondback Miguel Montero, to name a few.

For Canada – Outfielder Michael Saunders will play among a team including Milwaukee Brewer Taylor Green, Pittsburgh Pirate Chris Leroux, and Philadelphia Phillies Pete Orr.

For Italy – 3rd baseman Alex Liddi and  pitcher Brian Sweeney‘s team includes Minnesota Twin Drew Butera, Chicago Cub Anthony Rizzo, and San Diego Padre Chris Denorfia.

For Mexico – Pitcher Oliver Perez will be welcomed by teammates including Los Angeles Dodger Adrian Gonzalez, Pittsburgh Pirate Ali Solis, and Atlanta Brave Ramiro Pena.

For the Netherlands – Outfielder Kalian Sams will join a team that includes Texas Ranger Jurickson Profar, Minnesota Twin Shairon Martis, and Baltimore Oriole Jonathan Schoop.

For Brazil – Pitcher Luiz Gohara, infielder Pedro Okuda, and pitcher Thyago Vieira will join a roster including Chicago White Sox player Andre Rienzo.

There are sixteen teams in the WBC, and the games will start in March.

Which WBC team will you be rooting for?