Olympic Games Silver Medal winning coach Jon Deeble returns as Australia’s field manager for the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic

Deeble, the Australian national manager since 2000, heads what he views as the “best ever” coaching staff to guide the national team

Five coaches - Phil Dale, Tony Harris, Craig Shipley, Pat Kelly and Paul Elliott - who are all household names in Australian baseball, back him

Australia has drawn to play against Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Italy in the World Baseball Classic first round pool at Cracker Jack Stadium, Disney Wide World Of Sports, Orlando, Florida beginning on March 7

Deeble described the inclusion of Shipley, an 11-year Major League player who is now Boston Red Sox Special Assistant to the General Manager, as a “huge plus” for Australian baseball
Over the past several years, Deeble, the Red Sox Asian Pacific scout, has worked closely with Shipley, who has overseen the Red Sox international scouting and player development

“Craig is responsible for giving the 70 plus kids currently playing in either the Major League or Minor League and the hundreds before them the chance to play professionally in the States” Deeble said
“He is the pioneer of professional baseballers in Australia
We are all indebted to him and how he has put Australian baseball on the world stage
He played for 11 years in the Majors, he’s coached and he was in the front office when the Red Sox won the World Series
He’s done it all”

Shipley, born in Sydney, played for five teams - Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Houston Astros and Los Angels Angels Of Anaheim - during his 11 year playing career
A versatile player whose superb defensive skills allowed him to play in every infield position, Shipley owned a .271 lifetime Major League batting average

“Craig brings with him playing, coaching and front office experience. It will be invaluable” Deeble said
“I’m sure everyone on the Australian team is looking forward to tapping into Craig’s vast knowledge”

Australia has retained the nucleus of the coaching staff that took the country to its finest international moment - the Silver Medal at the 2004 Greece Olympics

As well as their expertise in Australia through the Australian Baseball League and/or Claxton Shield, Phil Dale (Atlanta Braves), Tony Harris (New York Mets), Craig Shipley (Boston Red Sox), Pat Kelly (Seattle Mariners) and Paul Elliott (Toronto Blue Jays) also bring with them extensive experience in the MLB system

The World Baseball Classic, a 16-team tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF), will feature many of the best players in the world competing for their home countries and territories for the first time ever in March 2006

The 16 teams invited to participate in the event have been divided into four pools of four teams for the first round of play
They include
Pool A - China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea
Pool B - Canada, Mexico, South Africa, United States
Pool C - Cuba, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico
Pool D - Australia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Venezuela

The four Round 1 pools are scheduled to be played in Tokyo, Japan - San Juan, Puerto Rico - Orlando, Florida - Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona

Round 2 will feature two pools of four teams each and is scheduled to be played in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Anaheim, California

The Semi-finals and final game will be played at PETCO Park in San Diego