Israel at the World Baseball Classic
Team Israel has competed in the World Baseball Classic since the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifier round. In 2017 Israel competed at a World Baseball Classic qualifier for the second time, and for the first time qualified for the main tournament.
Israel national baseball team manager Brad Ausmus, Israeli president Shimon Peres and U.S. ambassador Daniel B. Shapiro (l-r)
Ike Davis preparing to bat for Israel.
Team Israel wearing their kippot during Hatikvah before the game against Great Britain on September 22, 2016.
Team Israel celebrating on the field after defeating Great Britain on September 22, 2016.
Ryan Cole Lavarnway is an American-Israeli former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, and Cleveland Indians. In international competition, he plays for Team Israel, and competed for them in the World Baseball Classic and in the Olympics.
Lavarnway with the Boston Red Sox in 2012
Ryan Lavarnway with the Boston Red Sox in 2011
Lavarnway catches a pop fly.