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 qualifies for World Baseball Classic for first time," The Daily News, September 26, 2016.

Prior to the start of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, ESPN considered Team Israel, ranked 41st in the world, to be the biggest underdog in the tournament, referring to it as the "Jamaican bobsled team of the WBC". Israel's odds to win the WBC were 200–1, before the tournament began. As the team began to win games at the WBC, its performance was described variously as a Cinderella story, a "David and Goliath" tale, and a baseball version of The Mouse That Roared.Chemi Shalev (March 12, 2017). "Why stop at baseball? Israel should also recruit Scarlett Johansson, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Bernie Sanders," Haaretz. Israel beat all three opposing teams in the first round to finish atop the pool, defeating South Korea (ranked # 3 in the world), Chinese Taipei (ranked # 4 in the world; Israel's 15 runs were the most Taiwan had ever given up in a game in World Baseball Classic play), and the Netherlands (ranked # 9 in the world). Israel became the first baseball team to go undefeated in the first round of the WBC’s main draw after entering the main draw by winning in a qualifying round. Team Israel's catcher, Ryan Lavarnway, was named Pool A MVP. Team Israel qualified for the second round; Pool E in Tokyo, Japan, to be played later in March 2017. Furthermore, the team qualified for the 2021 World Baseball Classic.

In the first game of the 2017 World Baseball Classic second round, Israel beat Cuba (ranked # 5 in the world). In a rematch of their Pool A game in which Israel prevailed, the Netherlands defeated Israel, giving the team its first loss of the tournament, and then world # 1 Japan beat Israel. Israel finished in third place in Pool E with a 1–2 record, and 4-2 (and sixth) overall in the tournament. Pitcher Josh Zeid was named to the 2017 All-World Baseball Classic team.

Player eligibility Under WBC rules, any player eligible to be a citizen of a country is entitled to play for that country's baseball team, even if the player has not obtained citizenship.Rick Chandler (March 10, 2009). "Dan Serafini Wins One For Team Italy," Deadspin. Israel's Law of Return gives anyone with a Jewish parent or grandparent, or who is married to a Jew, the right to return to Israel and to be an Israeli citizen. The WBC rules thus allow non-Israeli citizens of Jewish heritage to play for Team Israel.

In 2013, a number of Major League players of Jewish descent, including Ian Kinsler and Kevin Youkilis, publicly expressed interest in playing for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic. However, while some of the qualifying rounds were played after the conclusion of the 2012 season and included Major League players, Israel's qualifier was played in September 2012, during the Major League season. Without its Major League players, Israel narrowly lost its qualifier to Spain (which had no Major League players at the time and thus was not affected by the scheduling).

Israel was put into the same position during the qualifiers for the 2017 tournament. Three of the four qualifiers took place during 2016 spring training, and included Major League players. However, Israel's qualifier took place in September 2016.

Record Record by year

Qualification recordYearRoundPosition 2006 did not enter No qualifiers held 2009 2013 did not qualify 2 1 18 14 2017 Round 2 6th 4 2 30 31 3 0 15 3 2023 Round 1 14th 1 3 4 26 Automatically qualified 2026 Round 1 12th 2 2 15 23 Total Round 2 3/6 7 7 49 80 5 1 33 17

Record by team Team 1 1 0 15 7 1 1 0 4 1 1 0 1 3 8 3 2 1 12 16 1 1 0 2 1 2 2 0 8 2 2 0 2 4 16 2 0 2 1 20 1 0 1 0 10 Total14774981

2009 tournament bid Israel applied to participate in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.Jerry Crasnick. "Pro baseball coming to Israel", ESPN. In 2007, the inaugural season of the Israel Baseball League brought a large interest to the sport in Israel, causing Israel to apply to entry for the tournament. The Israel Association of Baseball (IAB) hoped appearing in the tournament would increase interest in the sport within Israel,Joel Greenberg (April 24, 2007). "Here's the pitch - baseball in Israel", Chicago Tribune. in an effort to capitalize on the growing support.Larry Fine (February 26, 2007)."Former big leaguers to pioneer baseball in Israel", Reuters. Israel had hoped that if the IBL was success they would be able to build a team with Israeli born talent.Benjamin D. Goss (April 2009). "Taking the Ballgame Out to the World: An Analysis of the World Baseball Classic as a Global Branding Promotional Strategy for Major League Baseball", Journal of Sport Administration & Supervision 1(1), 75-95. Marvin Goldklang, head of the IAB, however, talked about eventually having a team made up of Jewish Major Leaguers. Although not accepted in 2009, they were subsequently invited to participate in the newly created qualifying round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

2013 World Baseball Classic

Israel competed in the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifier. The qualifying round was held in September, while the Major League Baseball season still in progress, therefore it could not feature major league players such as those who qualified to play for Team Israel.

The team competed in the September 2012 qualifier, in Jupiter, Florida against Spain, France, and South Africa. Israel competed in their first qualifying match for the 2013 tournament on 19 September 2012 and defeated South Africa by a score of 7–3. Nate Freiman had two home runs in the victory.Morosi on World Baseball Classic 04/20/16 Israel's second qualifying match was against Spain on 21 September 2012, which Israel won 4–2. Nate Freiman once again homered twice for Israel in the victory.Morosi on World Baseball Classic Israel's third qualifying match was once again against Spain on 23 September 2012, and lost 9–7 in 10 innings. With the victory Israel was eliminated from the tournament and Spain moved on to the next round.Morosi on World Baseball Classic Although Israel had won their first two games they were eliminated due to the tournaments modified double-elimination format. This meant that the final game was winner-take-all.

2013 qualifier roster

The players who qualified to play on the Israeli team included major leaguers catcher Ryan Lavarnway, first baseman Ike Davis, second basemen Ian Kinsler and Josh Satin, third basemen Kevin Youkilis and Danny Valencia, outfielders Ryan Braun (whose father is Israeli), Sam Fuld, Ryan Kalish, and Gabe Kapler, and pitchers Jason Marquis, Scott Feldman, Craig Breslow, and John Grabow, as well as what were then recent major leaguers catcher Brad Ausmus and pitcher Scott Schoeneweis.

Kinsler said: "Wow, I would be happy to play for Team Israel.... The truth is that if a proposal comes from Team USA to play for them, I will have a very difficult decision to make. Yuk [Kevin Youkilis], Braun [Ryan Braun], and I could make a fantastic team. I am sure that I'll talk it over with Yuk – we always laugh about things like this." Outfielder Shawn Green, who retired in 2007, was also eligible inasmuch as he is Jewish, and said in early June 2011 that assuming it works out, it "would be an honor" and he "would love to" play for Israel in the Classic.

The qualifying round was held in September, while the Major League Baseball season was still in progress; therefore, during Qualifiers 1 and 2 it could not feature major league players such as the above ones who qualified to play for Team Israel. The lack of Major League players affected Israel far more than its opponents, none of which had players in the Major Leagues at the time. Kevin Youkilis announced that he would play for the team if it made it past the qualifying round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

The highest-level players involved in Qualifiers 1 and 2 were minor-league prospects. Team Israel included minor league pitchers Eric Berger (1–0) and Brett Lorin, first baseman Nate Freiman (.417; 4 HR in 12 AB), second baseman Josh Satin (.273), shortstops Jake Lemmerman and Ben Orloff, and outfielders Cody Decker, Adam Greenberg, Ben Guez, Joc Pederson (.308), and Robbie Widlansky. Also, retired former major league All Star Shawn Green played for Israel (.333).

In addition to Brad Ausmus as manager, the team's coaches included Shawn Green, Gabe Kapler, and Mark Loretta.

2013 qualifier results

2017 World Baseball Classic

Israel competed in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, after winning the 4th qualifying round in September 2016. This marked the second time Israel competed at the World Baseball Classic qualifier, and its first time qualifying for the main tournament.

Israel's qualifiers took place in MCU Park, Brooklyn, New York, United States against Pakistan, Brazil, and Great Britain. Colorado Rockies coach Jerry Weinstein served as the team's manager."How a Survivor’s Son Is Bringing Baseball to Israel", The Forward Israel swept all three games of the competition to qualify for the main tournament, first beating Great Britain and Brazil, and then defeating Great Britain 9–1 in the finals.

With the win, they advanced to play in South Korea, as the 16th and final team in the WBC. They were in Pool A, playing against South Korea, Taiwan, and the Netherlands.

2017 qualifier roster Team Israel for the 2016 qualifying competition was assembled by Peter Kurz (President of the Israel Association of Baseball), with an informal team of baseball scouts and experts of Jewish baseball, including Scott Barancik (Jewish Baseball News) and Ephraim Moxson and Shel Wallman (Jewish Sports Review).

On August 15, 2016, it was announced that MLB veteran pitcher Craig Breslow would join the Team Israel pitching staff for the qualifiers."Ahead of Brooklyn qualifier, veterans join WBC staffs", MLB.com The official roster was released on August 26, 2016."Rosters For WBC Qualifier In Brooklyn", Baseball America. Israel's roster included 20 MLB-affiliated minor leaguers, making up 86% of the team, more than any other team in the qualifiers even before including recent Major Leaguers Breslow (an 11-year MLB veteran), Ike Davis, Josh Satin, catcher Ryan Lavarnway, former 15-year MLB veteran All Star pitcher Jason Marquis, Cody Decker, Nate Freiman, and Josh Zeid."Israel off to great start in Baseball Classic Qualifier tournament in Brooklyn,", Jerusalem Post. One of Israel's minor leaguers, Ty Kelly, had to withdraw from the qualifier after he was called up to the New York Mets. Additionally, 10 of the Israeli players had reached Triple-A.

The team's oldest player was pitcher Shlomo Lipetz, 37, who grew up in Israel and lives in New York."Israel's World Baseball Classic team expects to feel at home playing in Brooklyn" , The Times of Israel. Lipetz is also the only player on the team with no current or past MLB affiliation."World Baseball Classic newcomer Israel advances to second round", USA Today. Team Israel's youngest player was pitcher Dean Kremer, 20, a Californian drafted by the Dodgers whose parents are Israeli expatriates.

Source:Israel - Retrieved September 26, 2016

2017 qualifier results

Israel, Pakistan, Brazil, and Great Britain played a modified double-elimination format."Ike Davis, Back in New York, Leads Israel Past Britain in World Baseball Classic Qualifier", The New York Times, September 23, 2016"Israel Beats Brazil, Advances to Final of World Baseball Classic Qualifier", Haaretz Israel's schedule was set in a way that they would play the afternoon game on Friday, under any circumstances, in order to avoid the need to play on Shabbat, and the Saturday night game, should Israel need to play, would start after Shabbat was over."The Greatest Jewish Team — Ever"