Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

World Baseball Classic

Israel pitcher Ben Simon, center, high-fives his teammates after Israel defeated the Netherlands during a World Baseball Classic game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Miami. (AP /Lynne Sladky)
March 12, 2026, 3:02 pm
Defying expectations, Israel exits World Baseball Classic by clinching spot in 2030
Squad goes 2-2, guarantees place in next tourney despite being ranked 19th out of 20 teams, fueling hopes for future among small, enthusiastic fanbase and roster of mostly US Jews
By jacob gurvis
Jerusalem baseball players and their families watch Team Israel play on TV in Jerusalem, March 9, 2026 (Zev Stub/Times of Israel)
March 10, 2026, 6:18 pm
Swatting away war, Team Israel fans in Jerusalem find nine innings of refuge in baseball
A small crew of enthusiasts takes a timeout from Iranian missiles to watch Israel compete on the global stage and feel ‘normal’, at least for a few hours
By Zev Stub
Israel designated hitter Spencer Horwitz, right, is congratulated by Noah Mendlinger (3) after hitting a home run against the Dominican Republic during the fourth inning of a World Baseball Classic game, March 9, 2026, in Miami. (AP/Rebecca Blackwell)
March 10, 2026, 7:57 am
Israel eliminated from World Baseball Classic after 10-1 loss to Dominican Republic
Team will play one final match against the Netherlands on Tuesday after losing to star-studded team from the Caribbean
By Zev Stub
Team Israel's Justin Alinoff pitches during the team's exhibition game against the Miami Marlins, March 3, 2026 (Courtesy Jared Polin)
March 6, 2026, 3:22 am
Novelty no more, Team Israel goes to bat for local game with return to World Baseball Classic
Built mainly around American Jewish players, the team returning to the global tourney this week has become a symbol of Jewish identity and a driver for the sport’s growth at home
By Zev Stub
Israel's pitcher Dean Kremer, right, celebrates his team's victory with catcher Nick Rickles against Taiwan after the first round game of the World Baseball Classic at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, March 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
February 7, 2026, 2:09 pm
Israel’s World Baseball Classic team to be headlined by Harrison Bader, Dean Kremer
Twenty nations submit 30-man rosters for 6th edition of international tournament; putting Team Israel together is ‘always a rollercoaster ride,’ says general manager
By ToI Staff and JTA
Houston Astros' Alex Bregman bats during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, September 22, 2024, in Houston. (AP/Kevin M. Cox)
February 13, 2025, 6:45 pm
Jewish slugger Bregman signs $120 million deal with Red Sox
Contract marks highest-ever annual salary for a Jewish MLB player as 3rd baseman — who sported Star of David on hat after Oct. 7 attack — leaves Astros for Boston
By ToI Staff and AP
Oakland Athletics' Zack Gelof watches his RBI double against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, July 14, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
July 15, 2023, 9:34 am
Zack Gelof becomes the 18th Jewish MLB player this year — a likely record
Gelof, who has played baseball for Team Israel, makes his debut at second base for the Oakland Athletics
By jacob gurvis
Jake Gelof, left, and Zach Levenson, right, headline the group of Jewish players drafted into Major League Baseball in 2023. (Getty Images via JTA)
July 13, 2023, 4:43 pm
These 6 Jewish baseball players were selected in this year’s MLB draft
Slugging third baseman Jake Gelof headlines this year’s Jewish draft class after a record-setting career at the University of Virginia
By jacob gurvis
Avi Miller, right, ran Israel Baseball's Twitter account during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. (Left: Screenshot from Twitter, Right: Courtesy/via JTA)
March 23, 2023, 5:12 am
Israel struck out at World Baseball Classic, but team’s Twitter account was a hit
Marketing maven Avi Miller entertained fans with charming tweets such as ‘We will never give up. After all, Moses was once a basket case’
By jacob gurvis
Baseball players from the David Posnack Jewish Day School pose with local Dominican teens at a ceremony March 14, 2023, in Miami. (Jacob Gurvis/ JTA)
March 17, 2023, 3:23 am
Israeli, Dominican teams gather to promote friendship at World Baseball Classic
Hours before a humiliating 10-0 loss, Israel hosts the DR for a ceremony celebrating the countries’ shared history and highlighting their fight against bigotry and antisemitism
By jacob gurvis
Stu Moss, left, and David Bogatz at Team Israel's game against Puerto Rico, Monday, March 13, 2022, at the World Baseball Classic in Miami. (Jacob Gurvis/ JTA)
March 16, 2023, 2:19 am
US Jews — and allies — turn out to support Israel at the World Baseball Classic
While brought to the Miami tournament by love of the game, supporters of the Jewish state agree – their love for the Israeli team is about more than just baseball
By jacob gurvis
Garrett Stubbs, Ryan Lavarnway and Noah Mendlinger, pictured here, played for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Miami. (Courtesy/ via JTA)
March 16, 2023, 2:19 am
How Israel built its most talented roster ever for the 2023 World Baseball Classic
Though it’s faced some of its toughest challengers to date, Team Israel brought an unprecedented number of top MLB athletes – and here’s how it happened
By jacob gurvis
Israel left fielder Spencer Horowitz is unable to catch a ball hit by Dominican Republic's Juan Soto for a double during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game, Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Miami. (AP/Wilfredo Lee)
March 15, 2023, 6:13 am
Israel knocked out of World Baseball Classic with 10-0 loss to Dominican Republic
Team manages only 1 hit a day after coming out on the losing side of a historic perfect game, eliminating it from contention ahead of Wednesday match against undefeated Venezuela
By ToI Staff
Israel's Colton Gordon delivers a pitch during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Puerto Rico in Miami, Florida, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
March 14, 2023, 5:20 am
Israel loses 10-0 to Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic’s 1st-ever perfect game
No Israeli batters make it on base in dispiriting loss; team faces vaunted Dominican Republic and Venezuela in the coming days
By jacob gurvis
Israel's Noah Mendlinger hits during the second inning of a World Baseball Classic game, March 12, 2023, in Miami, Florida. (AP/ Marta Lavandier)
March 12, 2023, 11:37 pm
Israel rallies to top Nicaragua in first game of 2023 World Baseball Classic
Team with high expectations after surprise 2017 performance comes from behind to win 3-1, as it looks ahead to tougher competition in opening round robin stage
By ToI Staff
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.