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Rays/MLB

Putting a global spin on baseball

Venezuelan and Canadian teams work out with the Phillies and Blue Jays today to prepare for the World Baseball Classic.

By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published March 3, 2006

Baseball fanatics already engorged on spring training have an opportunity to see something special this weekend.

National teams from Venezuela and Canada will work out in Clearwater and Dunedin alongside the Phillies and Blue Jays and in advance of the first World Baseball Classic.

Akin to the Olympics of baseball, the classic pits 16 countries against each other in a three-week tournament that culminates in San Diego from March 18-20. Teams Venezuela and Canada are in town to prepare for the tournament, which starts next week. Both rosters are filled with Major League talent, another first for a world baseball tournament.

"It's very exciting for me to see it happening right here in our own back yard," said Ken Carson, who is the Blue Jays' director of Florida operations and a Canadian. Carson said the Jays had to lobby to land Team Canada since its opening games will be played next week in Arizona. With the Jays already here, Carson said, "it works out perfect."

The roster for Team Venezuela "reads like an all-star team," said John Timberlake, the Phillies director of Florida operations. "It's going to be exciting for the fans to see. It's something different and something new."

It's a much better outcome than what was first proposed: the Phillies were originally scheduled to host Team Netherlands. Yes, they play baseball there, too.

Team Venezuela, which is among the pretournament favorites, is expected to include:

Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu.

Marlins outfielder Miguel Cabrera.

Former Devil Rays pitcher Victor Zambrano.

Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano.

Team Canada, which is competing in the same bracket as Team USA, is expected to include:

2004 National League Rookie of the Year and Pirate outfielder Jason Bay.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau.

Phillies left-handed reliever Rheal Cormier.

Team Canada will scrimmage the Blue Jays at 1 p.m. today at Knology Park. Tickets are still available. The team also is playing an exhibition at 1:30 p.m. Saturday against a team from Korea at the Blue Jays' practice fields near Knology Park. On Sunday, the team will practice at 9:30 a.m. at the practice complex. Admission Saturday and Sunday are free.

> Team Venezuela will hold three free practices at Bright House Networks Field at 5:30 p.m. today and Sunday, and at 11:30 a.m. Monday. The Venezuelan team will also scrimmage the Phillies at 1 p.m. Saturday at Bright House Networks Field. Tickets are still available.

[Last modified March 3, 2006, 02:15:34]