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Willie Bloomquist Invited To USA Baseball National Team Training Camp
Baseball player on of eight players invited.
March 20, 1998
Sophomore infielder/outfielder Willie Bloomquist was one of eight players who were extended invitations to attend USA Baseball's summer camp for the 1998 USA Baseball National Team. Training camp is scheduled to open June 1 at Hi Corbett Field, home of USA Baseball and Cactus League spring training home of the Colorado Rockies. Six of today's eight invitees attended the '98 USA Baseball national Team Trails at Hi Corbett Field in November 1997.
One player selected in the initial round, Rob Henkel (LHP, So., UCLA) has been removed from the active roster due to injury, which now brings the current roster total to 16.
USA Baseball officials will continue to evaluate talent and monitor the progress and development of several ballplayers throughout the collegiate season, and will invite approximately 40 players to the summer training camp. Comprised of 22 of the top collegiate players in the country, the USA Baseball National Team will begin its competition in mid-June and play approximately 30 games in preparation for the International Baseball Association's XXXIII World Championship in Italy.
This year's World Championship is slated for July 21 - August 2, and will feature Cuba, Italy, Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, China, Netherlands, Spain and Russia. In addition, five teams will qualify from the Americas. The African champion and Oceanian champion will also compete. The sixteen-team field will be divided into two groups of eight teams. After playing seven games in a round-robin format, the top four teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals.