Field named to Team USA for World Cup Baseball
Former Barton Community College baseball player Nate Field was selected to play for Team USA at the upcoming World Cup Baseball tournament. He was one of 24 players named to the team recently. The event will take place at during three different rounds running from September 9-27. Field had been pitching with the Florida Marlins AAA team in New Orleans. The Marlins gave him permission to participate for USA Baseball.
"I had no idea they were even scouting me, the phone call came out of the blue," Field said of his learning he was selected in early August. "They had been scouting players most of the season and liked what they saw. I jumped at the opportunity.
"Not everyone gets a chance to play for their country and be able to go to Europe and see parts of the country I've never seen before all because of baseball."
Field was 5-4 with a 3.25 ERA out of the Zephyrs pen this season. Opponents were hitting just .210 off the right-hander who had allowed just 1 run his last 6 outings before getting the call to join USA Baseball. Major League teams give their permission to USA Baseball before the player is informed of his selection.
"They pretty much get everything set up with the club before inviting you," Field said. "The Marlins couldn't guarantee a September call up for me so I jumped at this chance."
The team is made up exclusively of players at the AAA and AA level this year. Field is one of 12 pitchers on the squad and will be used in relief, just as he was in the minors. The team has 6 starters and 6 relievers.
"They really haven't said what role they are going to use me in, but myself and a lefty both have closing experience and both have been in the big leagues," Field said. "So I assume it will be some kind of late inning role. But a lot of it will depend on matchups and situations. If we are in a jam in the 6th or 7th inning and they need me to come get an out, then I can do that as well."
Field is one of just 5 players on the team born during the 1970's and at 33 is the 2nd oldest player on the team. Jason Childers – born 11 months before Field – is the oldest.
"It's a pretty good mix and younger players and veterans," Field said. "We got together for the 1st time (last week) and kind of bonded. They are maybe 4-5 kids that were drafted last year with a good mix of players that have 10-12 years experience."
Three of the 5 players born in the 70's make up 1/2 the bullpen for Team USA. Another familiar name to Jayhawk West baseball fans is Terry Tiffee, an infielder for USA that played at Pratt Community College during the late 90's.
The team started training camp last week with a series of 4 scrimmages against Canada. Team USA won all 4 games with Field picking up a save in the 2nd game – a 7-4 win – striking out 4 and walking1 in his 1 1/3 inning of work. He threw the final inning in the 4th and final game, striking one in a perfect inning.
Team USA is currently in Regensburg, Germany, where 1st round play will start Wednesday. The USA will play Venezuela, German, and China on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. in a effort to advance to the 2nd round that will take place in the Netherlands from Sept 14-20. The final round is slated for Italy from Sept 22-27.
Steve Edlefsen
Edlefsen has been stellar since his call-up to AAA back in July. The right-handed reliever appeared in 22 games for the Fresno Grizzlies in the San Francisco Giants organization. He has posted a perfect 5-0 mark with a pair of saves and 5 holds. Edlefsen's ERA finished with a 2.40 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. His control wasn't as pinpoint as it was in A ball (40-13) with 24 strike outs to 16 base on balls but his .209 batting average against has been outstanding.
During his entire season, Edlefsen appeared in 48 games, posting a 1.95 ERA, 9 saves and 6 holds. He ended with a 1.22 WHIP while opponents hit just .191 off him.
Fresno finished its season Labor Day and will not be in the playoffs. Edlefsen will find out if he is going to be part of the September roster expansion by major league teams from 25 to 40. If he were to be called up, he would find himself in the middle of a playoff race as the Giants are currently tied for the wild card spot in the National League. The Giants current roster has 34 players on it.
Jeff Christy
Jeff Christy also had his minor league season end Labor Day – his 2nd full season in pro baseball. He spent the season between AAA Rochester and AA New Britain in the Minnesota Twins organization. He finished at Rochester after being called up in last couple of weeks. Christy – a strong defensive catcher – has struggled at the plate again this year, hitting just .181 between the two teams but his defense has kept him at or near the top of the Twins minor league organization.
Chad Lee
Lee continues to fight injuries during his pro career and is on the disabled list for the Kane County Cougars Class A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Lee hasn't thrown since mid July due to injury and will be evaluated over the off season to determine what is next for the Oklahoma City native. He threw a combined 25 innings this summer, allowing just 11 hits and posting and ERA of 2.52 between Vancouver and Kane County. He was 2-0 in Vancouver before being called up to Kane County where he went 1-1 before the injury.