Friday, September 26, 2003

Durham, NC –Thirty players from Minor League Baseball
have been invited to participate in tryouts for the
2003 Olympic Qualifying Team Trials in Phoenix,
Arizona, Oct. 3-23. The 30 players will vie for 24
roster spots on the United States Olympic Qualifying
Team that will be managed by Frank Robinson and play
in the Qualifying Tournament for the Americas in
Panama City, Panama, Oct. 30 – Nov. 10. Team USA opens
pool play in the event on Oct. 31 vs. Colombia. Teams
finishing first and second in the tournament will
qualify for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Professional players not on the 25-man rosters of
Major League Baseball teams as of Aug. 31 were
eligible to be selected. The roster includes 12
players with Major League experience. Team USA will
play a total of 12 exhibition games against the
Arizona Fall League’s six teams to prepare for the
Qualifying Tournament.

The players with their 2003 teams (MLB affiliation in
parenthesis):

Pitchers—Brian Bruney, Tucson Sidewinders & El Paso
Diablos (ARZ); Jesse Crain, Rochester Red Wings (MIN);
Justin Duchscherer, Sacramento River Cats (OAK); J.D.
Durbin, Ft. Myers Miracle & New Britain Rock Cats
(MIN); Jeremy Fikac, Sacramento River Cats (OAK); Cole
Hamels, Clearwater Phillies & Lakewood BlueClaws
(PHI); Bobby Madritsch, San Antonio Missions (SEA);
Ryan Madson, Clearwater Phillies &
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Barons (PHI); Andy Pratt,
Richmond Braves (ATL); Royce Ring, Birmingham Barons &
Binghamton Mets (NY-N); Jason Stanford, Buffalo (CLE):
Derrick Turnbow, Arkansas Travelers & Salt Lake
Stingers (ANA); John VanBenschoten, Lynchburg Hillcats
& Altoona Curve (PIT); Adam Wainwright, Greenville
Braves (ATL); Todd Williams, Durham Bulls (TB).

Catchers—Gerald Laird, Oklahoma RedHawks (TEX); Joe
Mauer, Ft. Myers Miracle & New Britain Rock Cats
(MIN).

Infielders—Garrett Atkins, Colorado Springs Sky Sox
(COL); Chris Burke, Round Rock Express (HOU); J.J.
Hardy, Huntsville Stars (MIL); Graham Koonce,
Sacramento River Cats (OAK); Mike Lamb, Oklahoma
RedHawks (TEX); Justin Leone, San Antonio Missions
(SEA); Mike Rouse, Midland RockHounds & Sacramento
River Cats (OAK).

Outfielders—J.J.Davis, Nashville Sounds (PIT); Gabe
Gross, New Haven Ravens & Syracuse SkyChiefs (TOR);
Jeremy Reed, Winston-Salem Warthogs & Birmingham
Barons (CHI-A); Grady Sizemore, Akron Aeros (CLE);
Terrmel Sledge, Edmonton Trappers (MTL); Ernie Young,
Toledo Mud Hens (DET).


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search
http://shopping.yahoo.com