The Claxton Shield that starts in Sydney on Saturday isn't just about state bragging rights for the year

Australia's best baseballers are also competing for selection in the national team to play in the upcoming World Baseball Classic - the biggest baseball tournament in the sport's history

For the first time ever the best players from the American Major Leagues will compete for their countries in an international tournament

"It's the biggest baseball tournament ever" Australia manager Jon Deeble said

Deeble, who coached Australia to Olympic Silver at Athens 2004, is also an assistant coach with the Boston Red Sox and will select a 30-man squad for the World Classic after the Shield

"The players have got something really big to play for, too, on top of winning the shield" Deeble said
"But there are going to be guys who are automatic selections because of who they are"

Former Major League All-Star catcher David Nilsson, who is coming out of retirement for the World Baseball Classic, is a walk-up for the team despite being unavailable for the Claxton Shield
Other automatic picks who will be showcasing their skills in Sydney from Saturday are Queensland's Trent Durrington - third baseman with the Red Sox - and Victoria's Justin Huber, a first baseman with the Kansas City Royals

Major League players have never been available to compete at the Olympic level which makes the World Baseball Classic in March unique

The United States are likely to send their own baseball Dream Team that could boast Roger "Rocket" Clemens as the No.1 pitcher, and MLB All-Stars like Chicago Cubs' Derrek Lee, Philadelphia's Chase Utley, NY Yankees' Derek Jeter, Atlanta's Chipper Jones, Boston's Jason Varitek and San Francisco's Barry Bonds as the designated hitter

Australia has drawn a tough Pool D that includes the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Italy Deeble says the Dominicans are the team to beat

"Their line-up is full of Major League All-Stars and they might end up winning the whole thing
Their payroll would be in excess of $400m and their likely starting nine players hit collectively last season over 300 home runs in the majors"