Israel at the World Baseball Classic#Record by year

Under WBC rules, any player eligible to be a citizen of a country is entitled to play for that country's baseball team, even if the player has not obtained citizenship.Rick Chandler (March 10, 2009). [http://deadspin.com/5167239/dan-serafini-wins-one-for-team-italy "Dan Serafini Wins One For Team Italy,"] Deadspin. Israel's Law of Return gives anyone with a Jewish parent or grandparent, or who is married to a Jew, the right to return to Israel and to be an Israeli citizen.{{cite news |last=Omer-Man|first=Michael|url=http://www.jpost.com/Features/In-Thespotlight/This-Week-in-History-Jewish-right-to-aliya-becomes-law|title= This Week in History: Jewish right to aliya becomes law|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=7 August 2011|access-date=1 December 2015}} The WBC rules thus allow non-Israeli citizens of Jewish heritage to play for Team Israel.

In 2013, a number of Major League players of Jewish descent, including Ian Kinsler and Kevin Youkilis, publicly expressed interest in playing for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.{{cite news|last=Ben-Tal |first=Daniel |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/sports/baseball-jewish-mlb-stars-could-play-for-israel-1.370536 |title= Jewish MLB stars could play for Israel |work=Haaretz |date=May 1, 2010 |access-date=July 16, 2011}}{{cite web|last=Neistat |first=Aimee |url=http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/anglo-file/baseball-world-classic-youkilis-says-he-will-play-for-israel-if-it-qualifies-for-tournament-1.460430 |title=Baseball / World Classic / Youkilis says he will play for Israel, if it qualifies for tournament; Former MLB player Brad Ausmus has signed on as coach and retired players Shawn Green and Gabe Kapler have agreed to assist as coaches and players for the Israeli team.|work=Haaretz |date=August 24, 2012 |access-date=March 12, 2013}} However, while some of the qualifying rounds were played after the conclusion of the 2012 season and included Major League players, Israel's qualifier was played in September 2012, during the Major League season. Without its Major League players, Israel narrowly lost its qualifier to Spain (which had no Major League players at the time and thus was not affected by the scheduling).

Israel was put into the same position during the qualifiers for the 2017 tournament. Three of the four qualifiers took place during 2016 spring training, and included Major League players. However, Israel's qualifier took place in September 2016.

Israel applied to participate in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.Jerry Crasnick. [http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=crasnick/060830 "Pro baseball coming to Israel"], ESPN. In 2007, the inaugural season of the Israel Baseball League brought a large interest to the sport in Israel, causing Israel to apply to entry for the tournament.{{cite web|url=http://bigtentjudaism.org/bloglinks/Israel%20Baseball%20League.htm|title=Professional Baseball Coming to Israel!}} The Israel Association of Baseball (IAB) hoped appearing in the tournament would increase interest in the sport within Israel,Joel Greenberg (April 24, 2007). [http://www.popmatters.com/article/heres-the-pitch-baseball-in-israel/ "Here's the pitch - baseball in Israel"], Chicago Tribune. in an effort to capitalize on the growing support.Larry Fine (February 26, 2007).[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-israel-idUSN2632084520070227 "Former big leaguers to pioneer baseball in Israel"], Reuters. Israel had hoped that if the IBL was success they would be able to build a team with Israeli born talent.Benjamin D. Goss (April 2009). [http://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jsas/6776111.0001.114/--taking-the-ballgame-out-to-the-world-an-analysis?rgn=main;view=fulltext "Taking the Ballgame Out to the World: An Analysis of the World Baseball Classic as a Global Branding Promotional Strategy for Major League Baseball"], Journal of Sport Administration & Supervision 1(1), 75-95. Marvin Goldklang, head of the IAB, however, talked about eventually having a team made up of Jewish Major Leaguers.{{Cite web|url=http://njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/020509/sptBaseballInHolyLand.html|title=Baseball in the Holy Land: Take two}} Although not accepted in 2009, they were subsequently invited to participate in the newly created qualifying round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

{{main|2013 World Baseball Classic}}

Israel competed in the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifier. The qualifying round was held in September, while the Major League Baseball season still in progress, therefore it could not feature major league players such as those who qualified to play for Team Israel.

The team competed in the September 2012 qualifier, in Jupiter, Florida against Spain, France, and South Africa. Israel competed in their first qualifying match for the 2013 tournament on 19 September 2012 and defeated South Africa by a score of 7-3. Nate Freiman had two home runs in the victory.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140720070803/http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/wbc/2013/video/play.jsp?content_id=24911733&topic_id=41680128&c_id=mlb Morosi on World Baseball Classic 04/20/16 ] Israel's second qualifying match was against Spain on 21 September 2012, which Israel won 4-2. Nate Freiman once again homered twice for Israel in the victory.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140720074500/http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/wbc/2013/video/play.jsp?topic_id=31426364&content_id=24952435&query=game_pk%3D342969 Morosi on World Baseball Classic] Israel's third qualifying match was once again against Spain on 23 September 2012, and lost 9-7 in 10 innings. With the victory Israel was eliminated from the tournament and Spain moved on to the next round.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140720080131/http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/wbc/2013/video/play.jsp?topic_id=31426364&content_id=25045977&query=game_pk%3D342971 Morosi on World Baseball Classic] Although Israel had won their first two games they were eliminated due to the tournaments modified double-elimination format. This meant that the final game was winner-take-all.

File:Peres, Shapiro and Ausmus (2).jpg manager Brad Ausmus, Israeli president Shimon Peres and U.S. ambassador Daniel B. Shapiro (l-r)]]

The players who qualified to play on the Israeli team included major leaguers catcher Ryan Lavarnway, first baseman Ike Davis, second basemen Ian Kinsler and Josh Satin, third basemen Kevin Youkilis and Danny Valencia, outfielders Ryan Braun (whose father is Israeli), Sam Fuld, Ryan Kalish, and Gabe Kapler, and pitchers Jason Marquis, Scott Feldman, Craig Breslow, and John Grabow, as well as what were then recent major leaguers catcher Brad Ausmus and pitcher Scott Schoeneweis.{{cite magazine|url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-05-21/israel-baseball-coach-ausmus-says-team-can-contend |title=World Baseball Classic: Israel, managed by Bra |magazine=Sporting News |date=May 21, 2012 |access-date=March 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523041111/http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-05-21/israel-baseball-coach-ausmus-says-team-can-contend |archive-date=May 23, 2012 }}{{cite news|last=Belson |first=Ken |url=http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/01/israel-to-participate-in-2013-world-baseball-classic/#h[MLBIan] |title=Israel to Participate in 2013 World Baseball Classic |work=The New York Times |date=June 1, 2011 |access-date=July 16, 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/06/02/3087984/israel-invited-to-qualify-for-world-baseball-classic |title=Israel invited to qualify for World Baseball Classic |publisher=JTA |date=June 2, 2011 |access-date=June 2, 2011 |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604115621/http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/06/02/3087984/israel-invited-to-qualify-for-world-baseball-classic |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=http://www.thegreatrabbino.com/ |title=The Great Rabbino |author=Jeremy Fine |access-date=July 16, 2011}}{{cite news|author=Aaron Yellin|url=http://blogs.forward.com/the-shmooze/138422/ |title=Israel to Participate in 2013 World Baseball Classic |work=The Forward |date=June 7, 2011 |access-date=July 16, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.shalomlife.com/news/13276/jews-to-play-in-baseball-all-star-game/ |title=Jews to Play in Baseball All-Star Game |work=Shalom Life |access-date=October 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106102328/http://www.shalomlife.com/news/13276/jews-to-play-in-baseball-all-star-game/ |archive-date=November 6, 2013 }}

Kinsler said:

"Wow, I would be happy to play for Team Israel.... The truth is that if a proposal comes from Team USA to play for them, I will have a very difficult decision to make. Yuk [Kevin Youkilis], Braun [Ryan Braun], and I could make a fantastic team. I am sure that I'll talk it over with Yuk – we always laugh about things like this."

The qualifying round was held in September, while the Major League Baseball season was still in progress; therefore, during Qualifiers 1 and 2 it could not feature major league players such as the above ones who qualified to play for Team Israel.{{cite news|last=Neistat |first=Aimee |url=http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/anglo-file/baseball-world-classic-youkilis-says-he-will-play-for-israel-if-it-qualifies-for-tournament-1.460430 |title=Baseball / World Classic / Youkilis says he will play for Israel, if it qualifies for tournament |newspaper=Haaretz |date=August 24, 2012 |access-date=March 14, 2013}}{{cite magazine |url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-05-21/world-baseball-classic-ryan-braun-ian-kinsler-kevin-youkilis |title=World Baseball Classic: Israel squad could be dangerous with stars Ryan Braun, Ian Kinsler available |magazine=Sporting News |date=May 21, 2012 |access-date=March 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125112051/http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-05-21/world-baseball-classic-ryan-braun-ian-kinsler-kevin-youkilis |archive-date=November 25, 2012 }} The lack of Major League players affected Israel far more than its opponents, none of which had players in the Major Leagues at the time. Kevin Youkilis announced that he would play for the team if it made it past the qualifying round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.{{cite news|last=Neistat |first=Aimee |url=http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/anglo-file/baseball-world-classic-youkilis-says-he-will-play-for-israel-if-it-qualifies-for-tournament-1.460430 |title=Baseball / World Classic / Youkilis says he will play for Israel, if it qualifies for tournament |newspaper=Haaretz |date=August 24, 2012 |access-date=March 12, 2013}}

The highest-level players involved in Qualifiers 1 and 2 were minor-league prospects.{{cite web |url=http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/2013/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120921&content_id=38770568&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924031820/http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/2013/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120921&content_id=38770568&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 24, 2012 |title=World Baseball Classic: There are plenty of prospects to watch in this month's World Baseball Classic qualifiers |publisher=worldbaseballclassic.com |date=September 21, 2012 |access-date=March 14, 2013 }} Team Israel included minor league pitchers Eric Berger (1–0) and Brett Lorin, first baseman Nate Freiman (.417; 4 HR in 12 AB), second baseman Josh Satin (.273), shortstops Jake Lemmerman and Ben Orloff, and outfielders Cody Decker, Adam Greenberg, Ben Guez, Joc Pederson (.308), and Robbie Widlansky.{{cite web |url=http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/wbc/2013/teams/index.jsp?team=isr&team_id=840 |title=World Baseball Classic: Team – Israel |publisher=worldbaseballclassic.com |access-date=March 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209142856/http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/wbc/2013/teams/index.jsp?team=isr&team_id=840 |archive-date=February 9, 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/wbc/2013/stats/index.jsp?season=2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922140400/http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/wbc/2013/stats/index.jsp?season=2012 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |title=World Baseball Classic: Stats |publisher=worldbaseballclassic.com |access-date=March 14, 2013 }} Also, retired former major league All Star Shawn Green played for Israel (.333).{{cite news|title=.New Israel baseball coach Brad Ausmus says Jewish-American players make country WBC contender|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/new-israel-baseball-coach-brad-ausmus-says-jewish-american-players-make-country-wbc-contender/2012/05/21/gIQAoJHGgU_story.html/|url-status=dead|access-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525072601/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/new-israel-baseball-coach-brad-ausmus-says-jewish-american-players-make-country-wbc-contender/2012/05/21/gIQAoJHGgU_print.html|archive-date=May 25, 2012}}

In addition to Brad Ausmus as manager, the team's coaches included Shawn Green, Gabe Kapler, and Mark Loretta.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2013/03/mets_q-and-a_with_josh_satin.html|title=Mets' Q-and-A with utility player Josh Satin|work=NJ.com|date=3 March 2013 |access-date=October 14, 2014}}

{{hidden begin

| title = 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifier roster

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{baseball tournament roster

| TeamName=2013 Israel Baseball Team

| ActiveAlt=Players

| Pitchers=

{{MLBplayer|14|Eric Berger}}

{{MLBplayer|34|Richard Bleier}}

{{MLBplayer|27|David Colvin}}

{{MLBplayer|26|Jeremy Gould}}

{{MLBplayer|25|Jeff Kaplan}}

{{MLBplayer|36|David Kopp}}

{{MLBplayer|16|Alon Leichman}}

{{MLBplayer|22|Shlomo Lipetz}}

{{MLBplayer|10|Brett Lorin}}

{{MLBplayer|21|Max Perlman}}

{{MLBplayer|32|Dan Rothem}}

{{MLBplayer|12|Justin Schumer}}

{{MLBplayer|46|Jeff Urlaub}}

{{MLBplayer|40|Josh Zeid}}

| Catchers=

{{MLBplayer|37|Charlie Cutler}}

{{MLBplayer|19|Nick Rickles}}

| Infielders=

{{MLBplayer|34|Nate Freiman}}

{{MLBplayer|33|Casey Haerther}}

{{MLBplayer|7|Jake Lemmerman}}

{{MLBplayer|3|Jack Marder}}

{{MLBplayer|9|Ben Orloff}}

{{MLBplayer|2|Josh Satin}}

| Outfielders=

{{MLBplayer|6|Cody Decker}}

{{MLBplayer|1|Adam Greenberg}}

{{MLBplayer|24|Ben Guez}}

{{MLBplayer|31|Joc Pederson}}

{{MLBplayer|23|Robbie Widlansky}}

{{MLBplayer|15|Shawn Green (Designated Hitter)}}

| Manager=

{{MLBplayer|11|Brad Ausmus}}

| Coaches=

{{MLBplayer|5|Mark Loretta}} {{small|(Hitting)}}

{{MLBplayer|30|Andrew Lorraine}} {{small|(Pitching)}}

{{MLBplayer|8|Matt Martin}} {{small|(Coach)}}

{{MLBplayer|14|Gabe Kapler}} {{small|(Coach)}}

{{MLBplayer||Nate Fish}} {{small|(Bullpen catcher)}}

| BC1=#002868

| FC1=#FFFFFF

| FC2=#FFFFFF

| Date=2012-09-1

| MLBAffiliation=Major League Baseball

}}

{{hidden end}}

{{main|2013 World Baseball Classic – Qualifier 1}}

{{bb res start}}

{{bb res|Sep 19, 2012|19:00|{{bb-rt|ISR}}|7–3|{{bb|RSA}}||Roger Dean Stadium|3:16|1,581|10=[http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_19_isrint_rsaint_1&mode=box Boxscore]}}

{{bb res|Sep 21, 2012|13:00|{{bb-rt|ISR}}|4–2|{{bb|ESP}}||Roger Dean Stadium|2:43|814|10=[http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_21_isrint_espint_1&mode=box Boxscore]}}

{{bb res|Sep 23, 2012|17:00|{{bb-rt|ESP}}|9–7|{{bb|ISR}}|10|Roger Dean Stadium|4:50|4,463|10=[http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_23_espint_isrint_1&mode=box Boxscore]}}

|}

{{hidden begin

| title = Israel 7, South Africa 3

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = September 19

| Time = 19:00

| Location = Roger Dean Stadium

| Road = {{bb|ISR}} | RoadAbr = ISR

| R1 = 1 | R2 = 0 | R3 = 0 | R4 = 0 | R5 = 0 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 1 | R8 = 3 | R9 = 2 | RR = 7 | RH = 10 | RE = 1

| Home = {{bb|RSA}} | HomeAbr = RSA

| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 0 | H5 = 0 | H6 = 0 | H7 = 0 | H8 = 0 | H9 = 3 | HR = 3 | HH = 3 | HE = 2

| WP = Eric Berger (1–0)

| LP = Dylan Unsworth (0–1)

| SV =

| RoadHR = Nate Freiman 2 (2)

| HomeHR =

| Attendance = 1,581 (23.0%)

| Umpires = HP − Chris Segal, 1B − Sean Barber, 2B − Trevor Grieve, 3B − Jens Waider

| Notes =

| BoxURL = http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_19_isrint_rsaint_1&mode=box

}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Israel 4, Spain 2

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = September 21

| Time = 13:00

| Location = Roger Dean Stadium

| Road = {{bb|ISR}} | RoadAbr = ISR

| R1 = 0 | R2 = 0 | R3 = 0 | R4 = 0 | R5 = 0 | R6 = 2 | R7 = 0 | R8 = 2 | R9 = 0 | RR = 4 | RH = 7 | RE = 1

| Home = {{bb|ESP}} | HomeAbr = ESP

| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 0 | H5 = 0 | H6 = 1 | H7 = 0 | H8 = 0 | H9 = 1 | HR = 2 | HH = 8 | HE = 2

| WP = Justin Schumer (1–0)

| LP = Richard Salazar (0–1)

| SV = Josh Zeid (1)

| RoadHR = Nate Freiman 2 (4)

| HomeHR =

| Attendance = 814 (11.8%)

| Umpires = HP − Sean Barber, 1B − Chris Segal, 2B − Jens Waider, 3B − Jairo Mendoza

| Notes =

| BoxURL = http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_21_isrint_espint_1&mode=box

}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Spain 9, Israel 7

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = September 23

| Time = 17:00

| Location = Roger Dean Stadium

| Road = {{bb|ESP}} | RoadAbr = ESP

| R1 = 0 | R2 = 0 | R3 = 1 | R4 = 3 | R5 = 1 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 1 | R8 = 1 | R9 = 0 | R10 = 2 | RR = 9 | RH = 15 | RE = 0

| Home = {{bb|ISR}} | HomeAbr = ISR

| H1 = 2 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 1 | H4 = 3 | H5 = 0 | H6 = 0 | H7 = 0 | H8 = 1 | H9 = 0 | H10 = 0 | HR = 7 | HH = 7 | HE = 0

| WP = Iván Granados (1–0)

| LP = Josh Zeid (0–1)

| SV =

| RoadHR =

| HomeHR =

| Attendance = 4,463 (65.0%)

| Umpires = HP − Chris Segal, 1B − Trevor Grieve, 2B − Jens Waider, 3B − Quinn Wolcott

| Notes =

| BoxURL = http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_23_espint_isrint_1&mode=box

}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Bracket

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{:2013 World Baseball Classic – Qualifier 1|transcludesection=Bracket}}

{{hidden end}}

{{main|2017 World Baseball Classic}}

Israel competed in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, after winning the 4th qualifying round in September 2016. This marked the second time Israel competed at the World Baseball Classic qualifier, and its first time qualifying for the main tournament.

Israel's qualifiers took place in MCU Park, Brooklyn, New York, United States against Pakistan, Brazil, and Great Britain.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2017-world-baseball-classic-qualifiers-are-set/c-150118388|title=2017 World Baseball Classic qualifiers are set|website=MLB.com|access-date=2016-06-02|archive-date=2015-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919192912/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/150118388/2017-world-baseball-classic-qualifiers-are-set|url-status=live}} Colorado Rockies coach Jerry Weinstein served as the team's manager.[http://forward.com/culture/qa/341319/how-a-survivors-son-is-bringing-baseball-to-israel/ "How a Survivor’s Son Is Bringing Baseball to Israel"], The Forward Israel swept all three games of the competition to qualify for the main tournament, first beating Great Britain and Brazil, and then defeating Great Britain 9-1 in the finals.

With the win, they advanced to play in South Korea, as the 16th and final team in the WBC. They were in Pool A, playing against South Korea, Taiwan, and the Netherlands.

Team Israel for the 2016 qualifying competition was assembled by Peter Kurz (President of the Israel Association of Baseball), with an informal team of baseball scouts and experts of Jewish baseball, including Scott Barancik (Jewish Baseball News) and Ephraim Moxson and Shel Wallman (Jewish Sports Review).{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Michael|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/22/sports/baseball/israel-world-baseball-classic.html |title=Good Bat? Cannon Arm? Jewish? Sign Him Up! |work=The New York Times |date=September 21, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2020}}

File:Ike Davis WBC.jpg preparing to bat for Israel.]]

On August 15, 2016, it was announced that MLB veteran pitcher Craig Breslow would join the Team Israel pitching staff for the qualifiers.[https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-qualifier-staffs-grow-c195718244 "Ahead of Brooklyn qualifier, veterans join WBC staffs"], MLB.com The official roster was released on August 26, 2016.[http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/rosters-wbc-qualifier-brooklyn/ "Rosters For WBC Qualifier In Brooklyn"], Baseball America. Israel's roster included 20 MLB-affiliated minor leaguers, making up 86% of the team, more than any other team in the qualifiers even before including recent Major Leaguers Breslow (an 11-year MLB veteran), Ike Davis, Josh Satin, catcher Ryan Lavarnway, former 15-year MLB veteran All Star pitcher Jason Marquis, Cody Decker, Nate Freiman, and Josh Zeid.[http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Sports/Israel-off-to-great-start-in-Baseball-Classic-Qualifier-tournament-in-Brooklyn-468522 "Israel off to great start in Baseball Classic Qualifier tournament in Brooklyn,"], Jerusalem Post. One of Israel's minor leaguers, Ty Kelly, had to withdraw from the qualifier after he was called up to the New York Mets. Additionally, 10 of the Israeli players had reached Triple-A.{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishbaseballnews.com/israels-wbc-roster-includes-stars-surprises/|title=Israel's WBC roster includes stars, surprises - Jewish Baseball News|website=www.jewishbaseballnews.com}}

The team's oldest player was pitcher Shlomo Lipetz, 37, who grew up in Israel and lives in New York.[http://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-world-baseball-classic-team-expects-to-feel-at-home-playing-in-brooklyn/ "Israel's World Baseball Classic team expects to feel at home playing in Brooklyn" ], The Times of Israel. Lipetz is also the only player on the team with no current or past MLB affiliation.[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/09/israel-beats-netherlands-advances-in-world-baseball-classic/98942326/ "World Baseball Classic newcomer Israel advances to second round"], USA Today. Team Israel's youngest player was pitcher Dean Kremer, 20, a Californian drafted by the Dodgers whose parents are Israeli expatriates.

{{clear}}

{{hidden begin

| title = 2017 World Baseball Classic qualifier roster

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{baseball tournament roster

| TeamName = Israel

| TournamentName = 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualification

| BC1 = #004687

| BC2 = #004687

| FC1 = #FFFFFF

| FC2 = #FFFFFF

| ActiveAlt = Players

| CoachesAlt = Coaches

| Pitchers =

{{MLBplayer| 8|Corey Baker}}

{{MLBplayer|27|Jeremy Bleich}}

{{MLBplayer|32|Craig Breslow}}

{{MLBplayer|24|Brad Goldberg}}

{{MLBplayer|23|Tyler Herron}}

{{MLBplayer|25|Alex Katz}}

{{MLBplayer|17|Dean Kremer}}

{{MLBplayer|31|Jared Lakind}}

{{MLBplayer|12|Shlomo Lipetz}}

{{MLBplayer|21|Jason Marquis}}

{{MLBplayer|44|Troy Neiman}}

{{MLBplayer|15|R.C. Orlan}}

{{MLBplayer|19|Ryan Sherriff}}

{{MLBplayer| 6|Joey Wagman}}

{{MLBplayer|28|Josh Zeid}}

| Catchers =

{{MLBplayer|34|Charlie Cutler}}

{{MLBplayer|36|Ryan Lavarnway}}

{{MLBplayer| 9|Nick Rickles}}

| Infielders =

{{MLBplayer| 5|Scott Burcham}}

{{MLBplayer|29|Ike Davis}}

{{MLBplayer|14|Cody Decker}}

{{MLBplayer|20|Nate Freiman}}

{{MLBplayer| 4|Mitch Glasser}}

{{MLBplayer|13|Josh Satin}}

| Outfielders =

{{MLBplayer|35|Zach Borenstein}}

{{MLBplayer| 2|Blake Gailen}}

{{MLBplayer|11|Mike Meyers}}

{{MLBplayer| 3|Rhett Wiseman}}

| Manager =

{{MLBplayer| 1|Jerry Weinstein}}

| Coaches =

{{MLBplayer|22|Tom Gamboa (Bench coach)}}

{{MLBplayer|30|Andrew Lorraine (Pitching coach)}}

{{MLBplayer|18|Alon Leichman (Bullpen coach)}}

{{MLBplayer|48|Jerry Narron (3B coach)}}

{{MLBplayer|10|Nate Fish (1B coach)}}

{{MLBplayer| 7|Tal Erel (Bullpen catcher)}}

{{MLBplayer|15|Justine Siegal (Mental skills coach)}}

}}

''Source:[http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/team?team=isr Israel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913031410/http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/team?team=isr |date=2016-09-13 }} - Retrieved September 26, 2016

{{hidden end}}

{{main|2017 World Baseball Classic – Qualifier 4}}

File:Team Israel WBC Hatikvah.jpg during Hatikvah before the game against Great Britain on September 22, 2016.]]

Israel, Pakistan, Brazil, and Great Britain played a modified double-elimination format.[https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/23/sports/baseball/world-baseball-classic-israel-britain-ike-davis.html "Ike Davis, Back in New York, Leads Israel Past Britain in World Baseball Classic Qualifier"], The New York Times, September 23, 2016[http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/sports/1.743970 "Israel Beats Brazil, Advances to Final of World Baseball Classic Qualifier",] Haaretz Israel's schedule was set in a way that they would play the afternoon game on Friday, under any circumstances, in order to avoid the need to play on Shabbat, and the Saturday night game, should Israel need to play, would start after Shabbat was over.[http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new-york/greatest-jewish-team-ever "The Greatest Jewish Team — Ever"]

Israel beat Great Britain 5-2 in Game One, with RBIs from pinch-hitter/DH Ike Davis and third baseman Cody Decker.[http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/gameday/great-britain-vs-israel/2016/09/22/467858#game_state=live,lock_state=live,game=467858,game_tab= Gameday | World Baseball Classic], worldbaseballclassic.com In addition, left fielder Rhett Wiseman singled and scored, right fielder Zach Borenstein had an RBI single, and catcher Ryan Lavarnway had three hits.[http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Sports/Israel-takes-first-game-in-WBC-defeats-Great-Britain-5-2-468539 "Israel advances to qualifier final with nail-biting 1-0 win over Brazil,"] The Jerusalem Post Jason Marquis started and was removed after throwing 41 pitches in order to allow him to return later in the qualifiers. (WBC rules require four days rest after throwing at least 50 pitches.) Josh Zeid struck out six hitters in 3-2/3 innings of relief, and Craig Breslow got the win.[http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/israel-takes-great-britain-wbc-qualifier/#BocTTE4LwuHwMY2o.97 "Israel Takes Down Great Britain In WBC Qualifier" ], Baseball America Decker said: “I never played on a team with more than three Jews since Little League in Santa Monica.”

Israel beat Brazil 1-0 in Game Two, with Decker driving in DH Nate Freiman for the only run of the game. Freiman and shortstop Scott Burcham got the team's other hits. Corey Baker started and gave up one hit in five innings and was pulled after throwing 83 pitches, two fewer than the qualifying round’s single-game limit. Ryan Sherriff, Jared Lakind, and Jeremy Bleich pitched in relief, and Brad Goldberg picked up his second save.[http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/israel-blanks-brazil-behind-cardinals-baker/#oMW0wBG6pSUKPfD8.97 "Israel Blanks Brazil Behind Cardinals' Baker"], Baseball America{{Cite web|url=https://www.piratesprospects.com/2016/09/wbc-notes-lakind-throws-shutout-innning-simmons-reaches-base-three-times.html|title=WBC Notes: Lakind Throws Shutout Innning; Simmons Reaches Base Three Times - Pirates Prospects|first=John|last=Dreker|date=September 24, 2016}}

Israel defeated Great Britain in the finals 9-1 on September 25, 2016. Starter Jason Marquis struck out five batters while pitching four perfect innings, and Josh Zeid pitched three shutout innings and was credited with the win.[http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/israel-tops-great-britain-moves-wbc/#EdWtHD8MA4pT2LSz.97 "Israel Tops Great Britain, Moves On To WBC,"], Baseball America. The pitching duo did not allow a hit through their 7 innings of play.[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218320 "Team Israel qualifies for World Baseball Classic"], Arutz Sheva. Center fielder Blake Gailen broke the scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a two-run home run.[http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-clinches-first-ever-spot-in-world-baseball-classic/ "Israel clinches first-ever spot in World Baseball Classic"], The Times of Israel. Ryan Lavarnway and Cody Decker also homered for Israel.

{{bb res start}}

{{bb res|Sep 22, 2016|7:00|{{bb-rt|GBR}}|2-5|{{bb|ISR}}|9|MCU Park|3:08|3,919|{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/great-britain-vs-israel/2016/09/22/467858|title=Great Britain vs. Israel - 09/22/16|website=MLB.com}}}}

{{bb res|Sep 23, 2016|12:00|{{bb-rt|BRA}}|0-1|{{bb|ISR}}|9|MCU Park|2:56|1,862|{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/brazil-vs-israel/2016/09/23/467859|title=Brazil vs. Israel - 09/23/16|website=MLB.com}}}}

{{bb res|Sep 25, 2016|6:00|{{bb-rt|GBR}}|1-9|{{bb|ISR}}|9|MCU Park|2:44|2,019|{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/great-britain-vs-israel/2016/09/25/467862|title=Great Britain vs. Israel - 09/25/16|website=MLB.com}}}}

|}

{{hidden begin

| title = Israel 5, Great Britain 2

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

File:ISR celebrating WBC qualifier.jpg

{{Linescore

| Date = September 22

| Time = 19:00

| Location = MCU Park

| Road = {{bb|GBR}} | RoadAbr = GBR

| R1 = 0 | R2 = 1 | R3 = 0 | R4 = 0 | R5 = 0 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 1 | R8 = 0 | R9 = 0 | RR = 2 | RH = 7 | RE = 2

| Home = {{bb|ISR}} | HomeAbr = ISR

| H1 = 0 | H2 = 1 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 0 | H5 = 0 | H6 = 0 | H7 = 4 | H8 = 0 | H9 = X | HR = 5 | HH = 11 | HE = 0

| WP = Craig Breslow (1–0)

| LP = Vaughan Harris (0–1)

| SV = Brad Goldberg (1)

| RoadHR =

| HomeHR =

| Attendance = 3,919 (56.0%)

| Umpires = HP − Serge Makouchetev, 1B − Shane Livensparger, 2B − Andrew Higgins, 3B − Xu Bing

| Notes =

| BoxURL = http://m.mlb.com/gameday/great-britain-vs-israel/2016/09/22/467858?#game_tab=box,game=467858,game_state=final

}}

{{clear}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Israel 1, Brazil 0

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = September 23

| Time = 12:00

| Location = MCU Park

| Road = {{bb|BRA}} | RoadAbr = BRA

| R1 = 0 | R2 = 0 | R3 = 0 | R4 = 0 | R5 = 0 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 0 | R8 = 0 | R9 = 0 | RR = 0 | RH = 3 | RE = 1

| Home = {{bb|ISR}} | HomeAbr = ISR

| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 1 | H5 = 0 | H6 = 0 | H7 = 0 | H8 = 0 | H9 = X | HR = 1 | HH = 3 | HE = 0

| WP = Corey Baker (1–0)

| LP = Bo Takahashi (0–1)

| SV = Brad Goldberg (2)

| RoadHR =

| HomeHR =

| Attendance = 1,862 (26.6%)

| Umpires = HP − Andrew Higgins, 1B − Shane Livensparger, 2B − Alberto Ruiz, 3B − Xu Bing

| Notes =

| BoxURL = http://m.mlb.com/gameday/brazil-vs-israel/2016/09/23/467859?#game_tab=box,game=467859,game_state=final

}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Israel 9, Great Britain 1

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = September 25

| Time = 18:00

| Location = MCU Park

| Road = {{bb|GBR}} | RoadAbr = GBR

| R1 = 0 | R2 = 0 | R3 = 0 | R4 = 0 | R5 = 0 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 0 | R8 = 1 | R9 = 0 | RR = 1 | RH = 4 | RE = 1

| Home = {{bb|ISR}} | HomeAbr = ISR

| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 0 | H5 = 4 | H6 = 1 | H7 = 1 | H8 = 3 | H9 = X | HR = 9 | HH = 11 | HE = 1

| WP = Josh Zeid (1–0)

| LP = Spencer Kreisberg (0–1)

| SV =

| RoadHR =

| HomeHR = Blake Gailen (1), Ryan Lavarnway (1), Cody Decker (1)

| Attendance = 2,016 (28.8%)

| Umpires = HP − Alberto Ruiz, 1B − Travis Eggert, 2B − Andrew Higgins, 3B − Serge Makouchetev

| Notes =

| BoxURL = http://m.mlb.com/gameday/great-britain-vs-israel/2016/09/25/467862?#game_tab=box,game=467862,game_state=final

}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Bracket

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{#section-h:2017 World Baseball Classic – Qualifier 4|Bracket}}

{{hidden end}}

Current major leaguers who were not able to play in September 2016 because they were playing in the majors, but who would be eligible to play for Team Israel in March 2017, included former All Stars outfielder Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers; Israeli father), second basemen Ian Kinsler (Detroit Tigers) and Jason Kipnis (Cleveland Indians), and center fielder Joc Pederson (Los Angeles Dodgers).[https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/26/sports/baseball/israel-advances-to-the-world-baseball-classic.html?_r=0 "Israel Advances to the World Baseball Classic"], The New York Times.[http://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/130203/israels-improbable-run-to-the-second-round-of-the-wbc "Israel makes second round of World Baseball Classic,"] ESPN. Other major leaguers who would be eligible to play for Team Israel included outfielder Kevin Pillar (Toronto Blue Jays), third baseman/outfielder/first baseman Danny Valencia (Oakland A’s), shortstop/third baseman Alex Bregman (Houston Astros), and pitchers Scott Feldman (Blue Jays), Richard Bleier (New York Yankees), and Jon Moscot (Cincinnati Reds; on the DL at the end of 2016 season).[http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/214122/israels-baseball-team-is-ready-to-rock-coney-island-and-maybe-shock-the-world "Israel's Baseball Team Is Ready to Rock Coney Island—and Maybe Shock the World",] Tablet Magazine[http://www.silive.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/09/jason_marquis_pitching_for_tea.html "Jason Marquis pitching for Team Israel in WBC qualifier Thursday"], SILive.com[http://www.scout.com/mlb/rumors/story/1671634-potential-israel-wbc-roster "Potential Roster For Israel's World Baseball Classic Qualifying Team In September,"], Scout.

In November 2016 it was announced that Jerry Weinstein would return as head coach. His coaching staff included Tom Gamboa as bench coach, Jerry Narron as third base coach, Nate Fish as first base coach, Andrew Lorraine as pitching coach, Tal Erel as bullpen catcher, and Alon Leichman as bullpen coach.{{Cite web|url=https://brooklynbaseballbanter.com/2016/11/30/tom-gamboa-to-remain-israeli-bench-coach/|title=Tom Gamboa To Remain Israeli Bench Coach|access-date=2017-02-07|archive-date=2017-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207114555/https://brooklynbaseballbanter.com/2016/11/30/tom-gamboa-to-remain-israeli-bench-coach/|url-status=usurped}} Additional team staff included Barry Weinberg as trainer, Justine Siegal as mental skills coach, and Dan Rootenberg with Yoni Rosenblatt as the strength/conditioning coaches.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball.org.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=380:team-israel-announces-coaching-staff-for-world-baseball-classic&catid=22:news-english&Itemid=992&lang=en|title=IAB - Israel Association of Baseball - Team Israel Announces Coaching Staff for World Baseball Classic|last=Margo|website=www.baseball.org.il}}

In January 2017 ten players with MLB affiliations were announced as Team Israel roster members, and traveled to Israel to participate in various events. The players included Ike Davis, Sam Fuld, Ryan Lavarnway, Ty Kelly, Corey Baker, Jeremy Bleich, Jon Moscot (did not play due to arm injury), Danny Valencia, and Cody Decker.[https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/2017/01/11/israel-taps-jewish-major-leaguers-for-world-baseball-classic.html "Israel taps Jewish major-leaguers for World Baseball Classic"], The Star.[http://www.timesofisrael.com/for-these-pro-baseball-players-visiting-israel-is-like-coming-home/ "For these pro-baseball players, visiting Israel is like coming home,"] Times of Israel. On January 12, Alex Katz officially confirmed his spot,{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/kittyelgato12/status/819642919657369602|title=Alex Katz on Twitter|newspaper=Twitter|access-date=2017-01-13}} as did Nick Rickels,{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/NickRickles/status/819710343211401218|title=Nick Rickles on Twitter|newspaper=Twitter|access-date=2017-01-13}} on their respective Twitter accounts. It was later announced that additional players include Tyler Krieger, Dean Kremer, Jake Kalish, Blake Gailen, RC Orlan, Joey Wagman, Scott Burcham, and Gabe Cramer.[http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/sports/1.766207 "MLB Players Ty Kelly, Sam Fuld Commit to World Baseball Classic Roster"], Haaretz. Not one of its players was currently on the 40-man roster of a major-league team, though 10 of Team Israel's players had Major League experience and most of the others had minor league experience.[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/05/israel-world-baseball-classic-south-korea/98783896/ "Israel's unlikely path to World Baseball Classic,"] USA Today.[https://www.mlb.com/news/israel-enjoys-being-underdogs-in-wbc-2017-c218439260 "Israel enjoys being underdogs in WBC 2017,"] mlb.com. For some of the ballplayers, including Ike Davis, Nate Freiman, Nick Rickles, and Josh Zeid, the 2017 WBC was their third appearance with Team Israel.[http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/03/09/team-israel-world-baseball-classic-mensch-on-the-bench/ "Israel Reaches 2nd Round Of World Baseball Classic,"] CBS New York. Although Scott Feldman was originally announced as part of the roster, he later withdrew.[http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18685601/reds-scott-feldman-pitch-israel-wbc "Reds' Scott Feldman won't compete in World Baseball Classic for Israel"], ESPN.

Team Israel was composed of players who overall have had a high level of education.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/218289362/team-israel-wbc-everything-you-need-to-know|title=10 things to know about Team Israel in the '17 WBC.|first=Cliff|last=Corcoran|date=7 March 2017}} Of the 36 players on the team's active roster or in its designated pitcher pool, 32 had attended university. Among those 32, two players attended Yale University, three went to Stanford University, two attended Duke University, two went to St. John's University, and seven attended a California State school. In addition, manager Jerry Weinstein had a UCLA master's degree in physical education. In contrast, as of 2012 a total of 4.3% of major league ballplayers had college degrees, and as of the prior year a total of 38% had played in college.[http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/curtis-granderson-college-grads-in-baseball-a-rare-breed-051712 "College grads in baseball a rare breed,"] FOX Sports.[http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/ncaa_and_major_league_baseball.html "NCAA and Major League Baseball relationship could increase baseball scholarships,"] Al.com.

Closer Brad Goldberg left spring training with the Chicago White Sox, and reliever Jared Lakind left the Pittsburgh Pirates, to join Team Israel in the second round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, in March 2017 in Japan.[https://www.mlb.com/news/white-sox-brad-goldberg-to-join-team-israel-c218447084 "White Sox Brad Goldberg to join Team Israel,"], mlb.com.

{{baseball tournament roster

| TeamName = Israel

| TournamentName = 2017 World Baseball Classic

| BC1 = #004687

| BC2 = #004687

| FC1 = #FFFFFF

| FC2 = #FFFFFF

| ActiveAlt = Players

| CoachesAlt = Coaches

| Pitchers =

{{MLBplayer|19|Dylan Axelrod}}

{{MLBplayer| 8|Corey Baker}}

{{MLBplayer|27|Jeremy Bleich}}

{{MLBplayer|41|Danny Burawa}}

{{MLBplayer|24 |Brad Goldberg}}

{{MLBplayer|23|Tyler Herron}}

{{MLBplayer|35|Jake Kalish}}

{{MLBplayer|25|Alex Katz}}

{{MLBplayer|17|Dean Kremer}}

{{MLBplayer|26|Jared Lakind}}

{{MLBplayer|21|Jason Marquis}}

{{MLBplayer|44|Troy Neiman}}

{{MLBplayer|15|R. C. Orlan}}

{{MLBplayer|32|Zack Thornton}}

{{MLBplayer| 6 |Joey Wagman}}

{{MLBplayer|28|Josh Zeid}}

| Catchers =

{{MLBplayer|36|Ryan Lavarnway}}

{{MLBplayer| 9|Nick Rickles}}

| Infielders =

{{MLBplayer| 5|Scott Burcham}}

{{MLBplayer|29|Ike Davis}}

{{MLBplayer|14|Cody Decker}}

{{MLBplayer|20|Nate Freiman}}

{{MLBplayer|56|Ty Kelly}}

{{MLBplayer|22|Tyler Krieger}}

| Outfielders =

{{MLBplayer|35|Zach Borenstein}}

{{MLBplayer|23|Sam Fuld}}

{{MLBplayer| 2|Blake Gailen}}

{{MLBplayer|11|Mike Meyers}}

| Manager =

{{MLBplayer| 1|Jerry Weinstein}}

| Coaches =

{{MLBplayer|48|Pat Doyle (Bench coach)}}

{{MLBplayer|30|Andrew Lorraine (Pitching coach)}}

{{MLBplayer|18|Alon Leichman (Bullpen coach)}}

{{MLBplayer|22|Tom Gamboa (3B coach)}}

{{MLBplayer|10|Nate Fish (1B coach)}}

{{MLBplayer| 7|Tal Erel (Bullpen catcher)}}

}}

Source: [https://www.mlb.com/news/davis-feldman-decker-play-for-israel-in-wbc-c215475224 "Israel brings MLB experience to 1st WBC main draw,"] mlb.com.

Cody Decker brought the team's mascot with him to Asia from the United States for the WBC. The mascot is "Mensch on the Bench", a five-foot-tall plush stuffed toy that looks a bit like a rabbi or Hasidic Jew with a long beard and mustache who is wearing a tallis and holding a candle.[https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-03-10/mensch-bench-might-be-israels-baseball-teams-secret-weapon "The 'Mensch on the Bench' might be Israel's baseball team's secret weapon,"] Public Radio International.[http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/israel-s-mensch-on-the-bench-mascot-at-world-baseball-classic-1.13232053 "Israel's Mensch on the Bench mascot at World Baseball Classic,"] Newsday.[https://www.npr.org/2017/03/08/519282239/dutch-players-take-leave-from-spring-training-for-world-baseball-classic "Dutch Players Take Leave From Spring Training For World Baseball Classic,"] NPR.[http://www.timesofisrael.com/mensch-on-a-bench-mascot-of-israel-baseball-team-a-hoot-at-wbc/ "Mensch on a Bench, mascot of Israel baseball team, a hoot ahead of WBC,"], The Times of Israel. "Mensch", in Yiddish, means a person of integrity or honor.[https://sports.yahoo.com/news/israels-world-baseball-classic-good-luck-charm-mensch-on-a-bench-144516171.html "Israel's World Baseball Classic mascot: Mensch on a Bench,"] Yahoo.[https://www.mlb.com/news/with-mensch-on-bench-israel-ready-for-classic-c216638994 "With Mensch on Bench, Israel ready for Classic,"] mlb.com.

Decker said he "tried getting him a first-class ticket. But that didn’t fly, so he was put in a duffel bag and checked."[http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/03/world-baseball-classic-mlb-2017-team-israel-mascot-mensch-on-a-bench-shark-tank "The best thing about Team Israel’s World Baseball Classic run is their delightful mascot,"] USA Today. The mascot proved to be a big hit, and the team takes him everywhere. He has his own locker, sits on Team Israel's bench in the dugout during every game, and sat alongside Decker at a press conference in South Korea. Decker said:

"He’s a mascot, he’s a friend, he’s a teammate, he’s a borderline deity to our team.... He brings a lot to the table.... Every team needs their Jobu. He was ours. He had his own locker, and we even gave him offerings: Manischewitz, gelt, and gefilte fish... He is everywhere and nowhere all at once. His actual location is irrelevant because he exists in higher metaphysical planes. But he’s always near."

Prior to the start of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, ESPN considered Team Israel, ranked 41st in the world, to be the biggest underdog in the tournament, referring to it as the "Jamaican bobsled team of the WBC".[http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18805572/team-israel-wbc-biggest-underdog-ever "Team Israel -- and its mascot, Mensch on a Bench -- is the Jamaican bobsled team of the WBC"], ESPN.[http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/sports/1.775667 "World Baseball Classic: Israel's Cinderella Run Forges Ahead After Upsetting Taiwan"], Haaretz. Israel was the last of the 16 teams to qualify, was the only participant not in the top 20 in the world rankings, and not one of its players was currently on the 40-man roster of a major-league team (though most of Team Israel's players had Major League or minor league experience).[https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/squad-american-jews-helping-team-israel-crush-2017/story?id=46053724 "Unlikely squad of American Jews are helping Team Israel crush it in the 2017 World Baseball Classic,"] ABC News.[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/05/israel-world-baseball-classic-south-korea/98783896/ "Israel's unlikely path to World Baseball Classic"], USA Today. In addition, ESPN ranked them 14 out of 16 in their power rankings.[http://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/77646/world-baseball-classic-power-rankings "World Baseball Classic power rankings"], ESPN. Israel's odds to win the WBC were 200-1, before the tournament began.

Following the World Baseball Classic, Josh Zeid was named to the All-WBC team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/world-baseball-classic-previous-champs-results-medal-count-mvps-all-wbc-teams/|title=World Baseball Classic: Previous champs, results, medal count, MVPs, All-WBC teams|website=CBSSports.com|date=23 March 2017 }}

{{main|2017 World Baseball Classic – Pool A}}

In their first game Israel defeated the Pool A favorite and 2009 silver medalist South Korea, ranked # 3 in the world, in 10 innings by a score of 2-1.[https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/03/06/world-baseball-classic-israel-south-korea "Israel stuns South Korea with upset win to open 2017 World Baseball Classic"], Sports Illustrated.[http://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/07/israel-taiwan-world-baseball-classic/ "Israel beats Taiwan, 15-7, at World Baseball Classic,"] The Denver Post.[http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/2017/03/surprising_israel_prepares_for_2nd_round_at_wbc "Surprising Israel prepares for 2nd round at WBC"], Boston Herald. Israel's winning pitcher Josh Zeid said the win was the pinnacle of his career: "This has to be it. This has to be the top, top win as a team, I think in my career. I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a couple of championships in the lower levels in the minor leagues and in high school, but nothing compares to this stage.[http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Sports/Israel-off-to-dream-start-with-WBC-triumph-483444 "Israel off to dream start with WBC triumph,"] The Jerusalem Post. Israel's third baseman Ty Kelly tweeted: "Definitely the most stressful game I’ve ever been a part of. But it was worth it."[https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/84680/israel-remains-unbeaten-world-baseball-tournament/#tSjB21lDrqQAuSXM.97 "Israel Notches Stunning Victories Over South Korea, Taiwan in World Baseball Classic,"] Breaking Israel News. Israel's catcher Ryan Lavarnway noted after the win: "two generations ago, the way that this team was put together would have meant that we were being killed... It means a lot more than that we're here."[http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/sports/1.775667 "World Baseball Classic: Israel's Cinderella run forges ahead after upsetting Taiwan,"] Haaretz.

One day later, against Chinese Taipei, ranked # 4 in the world, Israel won again, this time by the score of 15-7.[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/07/israel-chinese-taipei-world-baseball-classic/98840740/ "Israel wins at World Baseball Classic again"], USA Today. Israel's 15 runs were the most Taiwan had ever given up in a game in World Baseball Classic play.[http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aeas/201703070020.aspx "Taiwan flops in WBC opener,"], Focus Taiwan. Taiwan manager Kuo Tai-yuan said of Israel: "That's a very scary team."

The following day, Chinese Taipei lost to the Netherlands, thus guaranteeing Team Israel a spot in the second round as it had one of the top two records in the pool. The second round will be Pool E in Tokyo, Japan, later in March 2017.[http://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israel-advances-to-2nd-round-of-world-baseball-classic/ "Israel advances to 2nd round of World Baseball Classic"], Times of Israel.[http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Sports/Israel-clinches-birth-in-World-Baseball-Classic-quarterfinals-483596 "Israel clinches berth in World Baseball Classic quarterfinals,"] The Jerusalem Post. It also automatically qualified for the 2021 World Baseball Classic.[https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/3/7/14840942/world-baseball-classic-israel-korea "Israel’s surprise World Baseball Classic wins have Korea in trouble"], SB Nation.

Later that week, Israel went on to beat the Netherlands, ranked # 9 in the world and including a number of prominent Major Leaguers including Didi Gregorius, Xander Bogaerts, and Jonathan Schoop, 4-2 as Josh Zeid garnered his second save.[http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/sports/1.776109 "World Baseball Classic: Israel Beats Netherlands 4-2, Advances to Quarterfinals,"] Haaretz.. [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/sports/baseball/wbc-israel-beats-netherlands.html "Israel Goes to 3-0 at World Baseball Classic"], The New York Times, March 9, 2017.[https://www.mlb.com/news/israel-beats-netherlands-to-win-wbc-17-pool-a-c218548686 "Israel beats Netherlands to win WBC '17 Pool A,"] mlb.com Israel worked in nine pitchers during the game.[https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/3/9/14865296/2017-world-baseball-classic-scores-results-israel-netherlands-pool-a "World Baseball Classic 2017 scores: Israel beats Netherlands 4-2 to win Pool A; Tournament qualifier advances to second round with three straight wins,"], SB Nation. In what NBC reported was thought to be the tallest batter-pitcher matchup in baseball history, the Dutch team’s {{convert|7|ft|1|in|adj=on}} pitcher Loek van Mil walked Israel's {{convert|6|ft|8|in|adj=on}} first baseman Nate Freiman.[http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/03/09/video-71-vs-68-the-tallest-pitcher-batter-matchup-ever/ "Video: 7’ 1″ vs. 6 ’8″ — the tallest pitcher-batter matchup ever"] NBC Sports.

Team Israel swept Pool A, 3-0, finishing atop the four-team pool, and outscoring its opponents 21-10.[https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/3/9/14865296/2017-world-baseball-classic-scores-results-israel-netherlands-pool-a "World Baseball Classic 2017 scores: Israel beats Netherlands 4-2 to win Pool A"], mlb.com.[http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18860593/israel-beats-netherlands-4-2-world-baseball-classic "Israel improves to 3-0 in World Baseball Classic,"] ESPN. Israel became the first baseball team to go undefeated in the first round of the WBC’s main draw after entering the main draw by winning in a qualifying round. Following the game Team Israel's catcher, Ryan Lavarnway, was named Pool A MVP, after going 5-for-9 (.556/.692/.889), with four walks, a home run, and three RBIs.[http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/218586550/ryan-lavarnway-named-wbc-pool-a-mvp/ "Israel's Lavarnway named MVP of Pool A,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312042250/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/218586550/ryan-lavarnway-named-wbc-pool-a-mvp/ |date=2017-03-12 }} mlb.com.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted congratulations to the team for its "amazing journey," and the Israel Defence Forces tweeted its support.[http://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/Ex-A-s-having-a-blast-for-Team-Israel-in-WBC-10993732.php "Current, former A’s having a blast for Team Israel in WBC,"] San Francisco Chronicle.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/idfspokesperson|title=Israel Defense Forces (@IDFSpokesperson) - Twitter|website=twitter.com}} At the same time, many were unaware Israel was competing, including Minister of Sports Miri Regev.[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/11/israel-world-baseball-classic/99055256/ "Israel's World Baseball Classic run going unnoticed back home,"] USA Today.

{{bb res start}}

{{bb res| Mar 6, 2017|19:00 |{{bb-rt|ISR}}|2 – 1|{{bb|KOR}}|10|Gocheok Sky Dome| 4:11| 15,470|10={{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/israel-vs-korea/2017/03/06/486904|title=Israel vs. Korea - 03/06/17|website=MLB.com}}}}

{{bb res| Mar 7, 2017| 12:30|{{bb-rt|ISR}}|15 – 7|{{bb|TPE}}|9|Gocheok Sky Dome| 3:54| 3,287|10= {{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/israel-vs-chinese-taipei/2017/03/07/486905|title=Israel vs. Chinese Taipei - 03/06/17|website=MLB.com}}}}

{{bb res| Mar 9, 2017| 12:30|{{bb-rt|ISR}}|4–2|{{bb|NED}}|9|Gocheok Sky Dome| 3:12| 2,739 |10={{cite web|url=https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/gameday/netherlands-vs-israel/2017/03/08/486908?#game=486908,game_state=final,|title=Netherlands vs. Israel Wrapup - 03/08/17|website=World Baseball Classic}}}}

|}

{{hidden begin

| title = Standings

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{#section-h:2017 World Baseball Classic Pool A|Standings}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Israel 2, South Korea 1 (F10)

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = March 6

| Time = 18:30

| Location = Gocheok Sky Dome

| Road = {{bb|ISR}} | RoadAbr = ISR

| R1 = 0 | R2 = 1 | R3 = 0 | R4 = 0 | R5 = 0 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 0 | R8 = 0 | R9 = 0 | R10 = 1 | RR = 2 | RH = 8 | RE = 0

| Home = {{bb|KOR}} | HomeAbr = KOR

| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 0 | H5 = 1 | H6 = 0 | H7 = 0 | H8 = 0 | H9 = 0 | H10 = 0 | HR = 1 | HH = 7 | HE = 0

| WP = Josh Zeid (1−0)

| LP = Chang-yong Lim (0−1)

| SV =

| RoadHR =

| HomeHR =

| Attendance = 15,470 (91.0%)

| Umpires = HP − Brian Knight, 1B − Frantisek Pribyl, 2B − Brett Robson, 3B − D. J. Reyburn

| Notes =

| BoxURL = http://m.mlb.com/gameday/israel-vs-korea/2017/03/06/486904?#game_tab=box,game=486904,game_state=final

}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Israel 15, Chinese Taipei 7

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = March 7

| Time = 12:00

| Location = Gocheok Sky Dome

| Road = {{bb|ISR}} | RoadAbr = ISR

| R1 = 4 | R2 = 0 | R3 = 2 | R4 = 0 | R5 = 0 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 5 | R8 = 1 | R9 = 3 | RR = 15 | RH = 20 | RE = 1

| Home = {{bb|TPE}} | HomeAbr = TPE

| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 0 | H5 = 0 | H6 = 3 | H7 = 0 | H8 = 0 | H9 = 4 | HR = 7 | HH = 12 | HE = 2

| WP = Corey Baker (1−0)

| LP = Chun-lin Kuo (0−1)

| SV =

| RoadHR = Ryan Lavarnway (1), Nate Freiman (1)

| HomeHR =

| Attendance = 3,287 (19.3%)

| Umpires = HP − Chikara Tsugawa, 1B − Ted Barrett, 2B − Brian Knight, 3B − Frantisek Pribyl

| Notes =

| BoxURL = http://m.mlb.com/gameday/israel-vs-chinese-taipei/2017/03/06/486905?#game_tab=box,game=486905,game_state=final

}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Israel 4, Netherlands 2

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = March 9

| Time = 12:00

| Location = Gocheok Sky Dome

| Road = {{bb|NED}} | RoadAbr = NED

| R1 = 0 | R2 = 0| R3 = 1 | R4 = 0 | R5 =0 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 0 | R8 =1 | R9 =0 | RR = 2 | RH = 5 | RE = 1

| Home = {{bb|ISR}} | HomeAbr = ISR

| H1 = 3 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 =0 | H5 =0 | H6 =1 | H7 = 0 | H8 =0 | H9 =x | HR = 4 | HH = 8 | HE = 2

| WP = Jason Marquis (1−0)

| LP = Rob Cordemans(0−1)

| SV = Josh Zeid (1−0)

| RoadHR = 0

| HomeHR = 0

| Attendance =

| Umpires = HP − Brian Knight, 1B − Chikara Tsugawa, 2B − Ted Barrett, 3B − Frantisek Pribyl

| Notes =

| BoxURL = https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/gameday/netherlands-vs-israel/2017/03/08/486908?#game=486908,game_state=final Boxscore}}

{{hidden end}}

{{main|2017 World Baseball Classic – Pool E}}

{{bb res start}}

{{bb res|Mar 12, 2017|12:00|{{bb-rt|Cuba}}|1–4|{{bb|ISR}}||Tokyo Dome|3:14|43,153|10= {{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cuba-vs-israel/2017/03/11/486925|title=Cuba vs. Israel - 03/11/17|website=MLB.com}}

}}

{{bb res|Mar 13, 2017|19:00|{{bb-rt|NED}}|12–2|{{bb|ISR}}||Tokyo Dome|3:04|5,017|10= {{cite web|url=https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/gameday/netherlands-vs-israel/2017/03/13/486927#game=486927,game_state=final,game_tab=box|title=Netherlands vs. Israel - 03/13/17|website=World Baseball Classic}}}}

{{bb res|Mar 15, 2017|19:00|{{bb-rt|ISR}}|3–8|{{bb|JPN}}||Tokyo Dome|3:28|43,157|10= {{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/israel-vs-japan/2017/03/15/486930|title=Israel vs. Japan - 03/15/17|website=MLB.com}}}}

|}

Right-handed relief pitcher Brad Goldberg joined Team Israel in the second round of the World Baseball Classic in Japan.[http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/030917aaa.html "Brad Goldberg Joins Team Israel in Tokyo at World Baseball Classic,"] OhioStateBuckeyes.com.{{cite web|url=https://whitesoxpride.mlblogs.com/sox-hit-not-one-not-two-but-three-homers-against-brew-crew-184fe61d3cf3#.xv7wyoyih|title=Sox Hit Not One, Not Two, But Three Homers Against Brew Crew|date=9 March 2017}} He had pitched in four games for the Chicago White Sox in spring training, and thrown 4.2 scoreless innings of relief. In addition, left-handed pitcher Jared Lakind joined the team.[http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=127649 "2017 World Baseball Classic: 1st Round Pool A - Jerry Weinstein,"] ASAP Sports Transcripts, March 9, 2017.[http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pirates-Blog/2017/03/09/Jared-Lakind-to-join-Israel-in-World-Baseball-Classic/stories/201703090176 "Jared Lakind to join Israel in World Baseball Classic"], Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Writing for mlb.com, reporter Anthony Castrovince opined: "When Team Israel and magnetic mascot "Mensch on a Bench" surprisingly get a shot at the semifinals, we all get a little verklempt."[https://www.mlb.com/news/united-states-dominican-republic-classic-duel-c218840336 "United States-Dominican Republic Classic duel,"] mlb.com.

In the first game of the second round, Israel beat Cuba (5th-ranked in the world) by a score of 4-1.[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/03/12/baseball/israel-upsets-cuba-wbc/#.WMWQ_KLdnx8 "Israel upsets Cuba at WBC,"] The Japan Times. After falling behind 1-0 in the 2nd inning, Israel came from behind with one run in the 4th, two runs in the 6th, and one more in the 8th.[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/12/israel-beats-cuba-world-baseball-classic/99088076/ "Israel's amazing World Baseball Classic continues with win over Cuba,"], USA Today. Starter Jason Marquis (in 5.2 innings on three days' rest) and three Team Israel relief pitchers (including Brad Goldberg and Josh Zeid, who both threw 96 mph fastballs) kept Team Cuba to five hits and one run, a homer by Cuban star Alfredo Despaigne who became the all-time World Baseball Classic home run leader.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/israel-beats-cuba-to-stay-unbeaten-in-wbc-17-c218980042|title=Israel beats Cuba to stay unbeaten in WBC '17|website=MLB.com |access-date=12 March 2017|archive-date=12 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312102522/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/218980042/israel-beats-cuba-to-stay-unbeaten-in-wbc-17/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jason-marquis-on-dominant-run-in-wbc-17-c218995116|title=Jason Marquis on dominant run in WBC '17|website=MLB.com |access-date=12 March 2017|archive-date=13 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313213904/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/218995116/jason-marquis-on-dominant-run-in-wbc-17/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-zeid-leading-israel-s-strong-bullpen-c219006552|title=Josh Zeid leading Israel's strong bullpen|website=MLB.com |access-date=12 March 2017|archive-date=13 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313125454/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/219006552/josh-zeid-leading-israels-strong-bullpen/|url-status=live}} Catcher Ryan Lavarnway had two hits for Israel.

"It feels like the World Series," said Team Israel Manager Jerry Weinstein, "but only bigger."[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2017/03/12/world-baseball-classic-future-dominican-republic-usa/99095014/ "World Baseball Classic, and its glorious imperfection, looks here to stay,"] USA Today.

In a rematch of their Pool A game in which Israel prevailed, the Netherlands defeated Israel 12-2 on March 13, giving Israel their first loss of the tournament.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/03/13/world-baseball-classic-israel-netherlands|title=Israel takes first loss of World Baseball Classic|first=Jon|last=Tayler|magazine=Sports Illustrated}} Undefeated two-time WBC champion Team Japan then beat Team Israel, 8-3.[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/15/team-israels-world-baseball-classic-run-ends-loss-japan/99203000/ "Team Israel's World Baseball Classic run ends in loss to Japan,"] USA Today.[http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-falls-to-japan-ending-miracle-run-at-baseball-tournament/ "Israel falls to Japan, ending miracle run at baseball tournament,"] The Times of Israel.

Israel finished in third place in Pool E with a 1-2 record, and 4-2 overall in the tournament. Israel will not have to qualify for the 2021 World Baseball Classic, based on its 2017 performance. USA Today opined that the team's performance might inspire other American Jewish major leaguers to play for Team Israel at the 2021 WBC. Following the conclusion of the World Baseball Classic, Zeid was named to the 2017 All-World Baseball Classic team. First baseman Nate Freiman wrote an article describing his experiences on Team Israel, entitled "The Mensches of March."Nate Freiman (March 31, 2017). [https://www.theplayerstribune.com/nate-freiman-team-israel-baseball/ "The Mensches of March"], The Players' Tribune.

{{hidden begin

| title = Standings

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{#section-h:2017 World Baseball Classic Pool E|Standings}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Cuba 1, Israel 4

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = March 12

| Time = 12:00

| Location = Tokyo Dome

| Road = {{bb|CUB}} | RoadAbr = CUB

| R1 = 0 | R2 = 1 | R3 = 0 | R4 = 0 | R5 = 0 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 0 | R8 = 0 | R9 = 0 | RR = 1 | RH = 5 | RE = 1

| Home = {{bb|ISR}} | HomeAbr = ISR

| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 1 | H5 = 0 | H6 = 2 | H7 = 0 | H8 = 1 | H9 = X | HR = 4 | HH = 5 | HE = 0

| WP = Zack Thornton (1−0)

| LP = Yoanni Yera (0−1)

| SV = Josh Zeid (1)

| RoadHR = Alfredo Despaigne (1)

| HomeHR =

| Attendance = 43,153 (93.8%)

| Umpires = HP − Todd Tichenor, 1B − Cory Blaser, 2B − Trevor Grieve, 3B − Jens Waider

| Notes =

| BoxURL = http://m.mlb.com/gameday/cuba-vs-israel/2017/03/11/486925?#game_tab=box,game=486925,game_state=final

}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Netherlands 12, Israel 2

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = March 13,

| Time = 19:00

| Location = Tokyo Dome

| Other = (F/8)

| Road = {{bb|NED}} | RoadAbr = NED

| R1 = 0 | R2 = 2 | R3 = 4 | R4 = 4 | R5 = 0 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 0 | R8 = 2 | R9 = X | RR = 12 | RH = 15 | RE = 1

| Home = {{bb|ISR}} | HomeAbr = ISR

| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 1 | H5 = 0 | H6 = 0 | H7 = 1 | H8 = 0 | H9 = X | HR = 2 | HH = 8 | HE = 0

| WP = Jair Jurrjens (1−0)

| LP = Corey Baker (0−1)

| SV =

| RoadHR = Didi Gregorius (1)

| HomeHR = Nate Freiman (1)

| Attendance = 5,017 (10.9%)

| Umpires = HP − Cory Blaser, 1B − Félix Tejada, 2B − Todd Tichenor, 3B − Jens Waider

| Notes = Completed early due to 10–run mercy rule after 8 innings.

| BoxURL = http://m.mlb.com/gameday/netherlands-vs-israel/2017/03/13/486927?#game_tab=box,game=486927,game_state=final

}}

{{hidden end}}

{{hidden begin

| title = Japan 8, Israel 3

| titlestyle = background:#274da9 | style = color:white

| bodystyle = background:#FFFFE6; color:black;

}}

{{Linescore

| Date = March 15,

| Time = 19:00

| Location = Tokyo Dome

| Other =

| Road = {{bb|ISR}} | RoadAbr = ISR

| R1 = 0 | R2 = 0 | R3 = 0 | R4 = 0 | R5 = 0 | R6 = 0 | R7 = 0 | R8 = 0 | R9 = 3 | RR = 3 | RH = 5 | RE = 0

| Home = {{bb|JPN}} | HomeAbr = JPN

| H1 = 0 | H2 = 0 | H3 = 0 | H4 = 0 | H5 = 0 | H6 = 5 | H7 = 0 | H8 = 3 | H9 = X | HR = 8 | HH = 13 | HE = 1

| WP = Yoshihisa Hirano (1−0)

| LP = Dylan Axelrod (0−1)

| SV =

| RoadHR =

| HomeHR = Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh (1)

| Attendance = 43,179 (93.9%)

| Umpires = HP − Cory Blaser, 1B − Larry Vanover, 2B − Trevor Grieve, 3B − Félix Tejada

| Notes =

| BoxURL = http://m.mlb.com/gameday/israel-vs-japan/2017/03/15/486930?#game_tab=box,game=486930,game_state=final

}}

{{hidden end}}

In June 2018 a documentary was released entitled Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel which dealt with Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2018/exclusive-full-trailer-for-heading-home-the-tale-of-team-israel-doc/|title=Exclusive: Full Trailer for 'Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel' Doc|date=18 June 2018 |access-date=5 September 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ajff.org/film/heading-home-tale-team-israel|title=Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel|access-date=5 September 2018}}

Team Israel competed in the 2023 World Baseball Classic in March 12-15, 2023.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-710772|title=Ian Kinsler switches from Team Israel star player to coach|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com}} It played in Miami, Florida. Israel faced Team Puerto Rico, Team Dominican Republic, Team Venezuela, and Team Nicaragua.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-719726|title=Team Israel to boast current MLBers on its World Baseball Classic roster|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com}}

American-Israeli Ian Kinsler, a former Major League All Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, and Israeli Olympian, managed the team. Among the players who have committed to play for the team are All Star outfielder Joc Pederson, Gold Glove outfielder Harrison Bader, outfielder Kevin Pillar, catcher Garrett Stubbs, and American-Israelis catcher Ryan Lavarnway and infielder Ty Kelly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/phillies/news/philadelphia-phillies-catcher-will-relish-opportunity-represent-israel-wbc|title=Phillies Catcher Will Relish Opportunity to Represent Israel in WBC|first=Andy|last=Jasner|website=Sports Illustrated Inside The Phillies|date=January 2023 }} Pitchers on the team included Israeli-American Dean Kremer, Eli Morgan, Richard Bleier, Robert Stock, Jake Bird, and American-Israelis Jake Fishman, Zack Weiss, and Bubby Rossman, while Scott Effross was slated to be on the team but injured his arm.{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishbaseballnews.com/israels-roster-swelling-with-stars/ | title=Israel's roster swelling with stars |work= Jewish Baseball News| author=Scott Barancik}}{{cite web | url=http://www.baseball.org.il/english-news/614-israel-drawn-to-wbc-group-in-miami | title= Israel drawn to WBC group in Miami |publisher=IAB - Israel Association of Baseball}}{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jake-bird-commits-to-israel-for-2023-world-baseball-classic | title=Rockies reliever Jake Bird commits to Team Israel | website=MLB.com }}

Others who may possibly join Team Israel include All Star pitcher Max Fried, pitcher Noah Davis, pitcher Kenny Rosenberg, and outfielder Mike Moustakas. Third baseman All Star Alex Bregman has chosen not to play in the WBC, first baseman Rowdy Tellez chose to play for Team Mexico, and Adam Ottavino chose to play for Team Italy.{{Cite web |last=Morosi |first=Jon |date=September 17, 2022 |title=Jon Morosi on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1571252626724888581 |access-date=March 11, 2023 |website=Twitter}}

Brad Ausmus was one of the team's coaches.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-mlb-all-stars-ausmus-youkilis-to-coach-team-israel-in-world-baseball-classic/|title=Former MLB all-stars Ausmus, Youkilis to coach Team Israel in World Baseball Classic|first=Jacob|last=Gurvis|website=www.timesofisrael.com}} He is a former Team Israel manager, has managed in the major leagues for five years, and during his 18-year playing career won three Gold Glove Awards for his defense. Kevin Youkilis was the team's hitting coach. In his 10-year major league career, he won two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, was a three-time All Star, and won a Gold Glove Award. Jerry Narron, who in his 30 year career has been a manager or coach with eight different major league teams and been the third base coach for Team Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualifier, also served as a coach for the team. On March 13 Puerto Rico won 10-0 over Israel while Israel never got a base runner. This was the first perfect game in wbc history.

• List of Jewish baseball players
• Sport in Israel
• Baseball in Israel
• Israel at the European Baseball Championship

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Israel roster 2017 World Baseball Classic}}

{{World Baseball Classic}}

{{Israel at international sports competitions}}

{{Baseball in Israel}}

Category:World Baseball Classic

World

Category:National baseball teams