2009 World Baseball Classic Roster: China

24-Man Squad For Asian Team

Jan 27, 2009 David Hein

Manager Terry Collins faces an up-hill battle at the 2009 World Baseball Classic as he guides a China team expected to be over-manned.

Former Major League Baseball manager Terry Collins faces a stiff challenge at the 2009 World Baseball Classic as he hopes to guide the China national team to a better showing than at the 2006 WBC.

Defending Champions Japan In Opening Round

China will face 2006 WBC champions Japan, Chinese Taipei and Korea in the first round of the World Baseball Classic from March 5-9 in Tokyo. The top two in the group will advance to a second round of eliminators against two teams from the Mexico City group consisting of 2006 runners-up Cuba, Mexico, South Africa and Australia

Collins Takes Over From Jim Lefebvre

Collins had two three-year stints as a manager in the Major Leagues with Houston and Anaheim, but the last time he managed in MLB was in 1999. He served as a manager in Japan's Pacific League in 2008. And in 2009, he takes over from former China manager Jim Lefebvre.

2006 Struggles, One Victory At Olympics

The Chinese went 0-3 in the Asian bracket of the 2006 Classic, losing their three games by a combined score of 40-6. At the 2008 Summer Olympics - at home - China slumped to a 1-6 record with a victory over Chinese Taipei. Lefebvre's team was competitive though, nearly beating Netherlands and losing to eventual gold medalists South Korea 1-0 in 11 innings.

Chinese League Only Since 2003

Chinese baseball officials have had loads of support from Major League Baseball in their efforts to improve the game in China. And a big help was the re-start of the Chinese professional league, which occurred in 2003 with four state-funded teams.

Minor League Talent

China's development has seen four players sign contracts with MLB teams. Catcher Zhang Zhenwang and left-handed reliever Liu Kai both are in the New York Yankees system while catcher Wang Wei and first baseman Yu Bing Jia have joined the Seattle Mariners minor leagues.

Wei May Be Out

Wei was injured at the 2008 Olympics and he was not listed on Collins's 45-man preliminary roster, which must be tripped to 28 players - including a mandatory 13 pitchers - by February 24.

China's 24-Man Roster

Name, Bats/Throws, Height, Weight, Birth Date

PITCHERS

Bu Tao, L/L, 6'0" (183cm), 185lbs (84kg), 01/15/1983

Chen Junyi, L/L, 6'1" (185cm), 165lbs (75kg), 08/26/1981

Chen Kun, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 190lbs (86kg), 03/05/1980

Chen Wei-Ying, R/R, 06/11/1983

Li Chenhao, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 185lbs (84kg), 07/02/1977

Li Weiliang, L/L, 6'2" (188cm), 200lbs (91kg), 09/02/1980

Liu Kai, L/L, 6'1" (185cm), 175lbs (79kg), 10/11/1987

Lu Jiangang, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 185lbs (84kg), 02/19/1979

Sun Guoqiang, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 180lbs (82kg), 10/11/1974

Xia Kangan, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 180lbs (82kg), 07/13/1988

Zhang Li, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 185lbs (84kg), 02/03/1980

Zhu Dawei, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 185lbs (84kg), 07/25/1988

CATCHERS

Dong Chunhua, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 170lbs (77kg), 08/04/1990

Yang Yang, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 185lbs (84kg), 05/19/1986

Zhang Zhenwang, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 185lbs (84kg), 03/01/1988

INFIELDERS

Chang Ray, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 205lbs (93kg), 08/24/1983

Chu Fujia, L/L, 09/10/1989

Hou Fenglian, S/R, 6'1" (185cm), 155lbs (70kg), 07/11/1980

Jia Delong, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 190lbs (86kg), 07/04/1985

Liu Guangbiao, R/R, 5'7" (170cm), 155lbs (70kg), 09/05/1978

Wang Jingchao, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 165lbs (75kg), 07/13/1988

Zhang Fujia, R/R, 5'8" (173cm), 165lbs (75kg), 08/15/1982

Zhang Xiaotian, R/R, 08/26/1988

Zhang Yufeng, R/R, 5'9" (175cm), 160lbs (73kg), 02/09/1977

OUTFIELDERS

Chen Hao, L/L, 02/21/1990

Feng Fei, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 175lbs (79kg), 02/18/1983

Sun Lingfeng, L/L, 5'9" (175cm), 145lbs (66kg), 08/14/1978

Wang Chao, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 180lbs (82kg), 03/23/1985

The copyright of the article 2009 World Baseball Classic Roster: China in Baseball is owned by David Hein. Permission to republish 2009 World Baseball Classic Roster: China in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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