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Rays' Balfour Won't Play For Aussies In World Baseball Classic

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2009

PORT CHARLOTTE - Grant Balfour arrived at the Tampa Bay Rays' camp today, and he won't be leaving to join the Australian team for the World Baseball Classic.

Though Balfour was on Australia's provisional roster and looking forward to playing for his country, he said the Rays made it clear they would prefer he sit out the competition and focus on preparing for the season, and he agreed to do so.

"I would like to have played; it would have been fun," Balfour said. "But it's good to be in camp and back with the team."

Other new arrivals today include Troy Percival, Scott Kazmir, Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell and Justin Ruggiano.

While Kazmir wants to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, the Rays apparently don't share his enthusiasm.

Kazmir said the Rays petitioned Major League Baseball to keep him out of the event, citing the number of days he spent on the disabled list last season. He said he talked to team vice president Andrew Friedman before the Rays filed their request to block him from playing for the United States, and he expects to learn whether or not he'll be playing within a few days.

"I completely understand where they're coming from," Kazmir said. "It's one of those things where I would really appreciate the opportunity to represent my country, but it's out of my hands now."

Howell said he still plans to pitch for the U.S. team and will report to training camp in Clearwater on March 2. He said he wouldn't pitch if he didn't feel physically ready, but he feels great and expects to be full-go.

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