3 Former Sand Gnats Make WBC

The final rosters for the upcoming World Baseball Classic were released Tuesday evening and three former Sand Gnats will be representing their respective countries in the upcoming games.

The most notable former Gnat that made the list is Seattle Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre. Beltre, who played for Savannah in 1996, will once again suit up for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 as he did in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Armando Galarraga makes his first appearance in the WBC, playing for the Venezuelan squad. Galarraga went 13-7 with a 3.73 ERA for Detroit in 2008. He is just four years removed from playing in Savannah.

The most recent Sand Gnat to make the final roster was third baseman Stefan Welch, who joined the Sand Gnats for five games at the end of the 2008 campaign. He hit .263 with one home run in those five games for Savannah. He will play for Australia.

This year’s World Baseball Classic kicks off in Tokyo on March 5 with a game between China and Japan.

The Sand Gnats will host the Third Annual Sand Gnats Chili Bowl Cook-Off from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 28 at Historic Grayson Stadium. Tickets are $5 at the gate and $7 in advance with proceeds from the event benefiting America’s Second Harvest. There will be a $500 prize for first place and a $250 prize for second place. Judges for the event include Uncle Bubba, Bobby Deen and WJCL’s Frank Sulkowski. For more information or an entry form, call 912.351.9150 or visit www.sandgnats.com.

Savannah opens its 25th season of South Atlantic League baseball on April 9 versus the Augusta GreenJackets. The first game of the year is a Thirsty Thursday contest, which will be followed by postgame fireworks. Season tickets and mini plans are on sale now. Listen live to all 140 Sand Gnats games in 2009 on STAR AM 1400, your home for Sand Gnats baseball.