The Confederation of European Baseball (CEB) has finalized the schedule for the 2019 European Baseball Championship from September 7 to 15 in Bonn and Solingen, Germany.

The tournament, which will feature 12 nations, starts with a round robin preliminary round from September 7 to 11. Afterwards the top four of each first-round pool will advance to the quarterfinals on September 13. The final will take place on Sunday, September 15 at 19:00 in Bonn.

Group A at the European Championship 2019 features defending champion Netherlands, host Germany, Israel, Great Britain, Czech Republic and Sweden. Group B consists of Spain, Italy, Belgium, France, Croatia and Austria. Austria and Israel qualified through B-Pool European Championships, while the top ten of the last European Championship in 2016 were qualified automatically.

Each day four games will be played in Bonn at two fields (11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 19:00) and two in Solingen (12:30 and 16:00). All three fields were renovated for the European Championship 2019. The main field in Bonn received baseball-style floodlights.

The top five of the final standings at the European Championship will advance to the Europe-Africa Olympic Qualifier, which will be played right after the tournament in Bologna and Parma, Italy (September 18 to 22).

Tickets for the European Championship can be ordered online through the official website www.baseball-em.de.

To download the full tournament schedule, click here.

Team Israel is heading to the A Pool of the European Championships in Bonn, Germany in early September, on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Finishing in the top 5 in the tournament will take Team Israel straight through to the Olympics qualifiers in Italy.

Let's hear from team member Jeremy Wolf, new immigrant to Israel who played for Team Israel in Pool B of the European Championship in July.

Bio

Age: 25

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 200lb

Position: OF

Throws/bats: R/L

Current Team: Formerly with the New York Mets

A brief history

I played in college at Trinity University, a DIII school in San Antonio, Texas. I was National Player of the Year in 2016 as our team went on to win the National Championship. I was then drafted by the New York Mets in the 31st round of the 2016 first year player draft.

Your standout moment as a player for Team Israel

Running from the outfield and into the dogpile with Blake Gailen after beating Russia in the Pool B European Championship tournament in Bulgaria.  

Your baseball mantra

“Play every game like it’s your last.” At one point in my life I played my “last game” and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to get on the field again.

What you are most looking forward to in Germany

I’m most looking forward to winning in Germany... and the food, I love pretzels.

You’re a fan of…

Good music: If it makes me tap my foot, I’ll listen to it. That means anything from Tay-Tay to Kendrick Lamar!

Superstitions

I listen to the same song before every game: Helter Skelter by The Beatles.

Team Israel is heading to the European Championships in Bonn, Germany in early September, on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Finishing in the top 5 in the tournament will take Team Israel straight through to the Olympics qualifiers in Italy.

Let's hear from team member Simon Rosenbaum, who has played for Team Israel since 2015.

Bio

Age: 25

Height: 6’7”

Weight: 220lb

Position: 1B

Throws/bats: R/R

Current Team: Works for the Tampa Bay Rays

A brief history

Played at Pomona-Pitzer and was an All-American in 2014. After college, I was a player/coach for the Brussels Kangaroos in Belgium. This is my third year playing for Israel, though my first since the B Pool in Vienna in 2015. I also played in the C Pool in Ljubljana in 2014, where I was named Tournament MVP.

Your standout moment as a player for Team Israel

Hitting the game-tying home run in the 2019 B Pool Championship game against Russia in the bottom of the 8th.

Your baseball mantra

Good enough isn’t

What you are most looking forward to in Germany

I've been lucky to  get the opportunity to meet such a great group of guys playing for Team Israel this year and I'm looking forward to meeting the new Olim. I expect to play against some good teams in the A Pool, and I'm just excited to go compete against them with a bunch of Mensches who have "Israel" written across our chests.

You’re a fan of…

A fan of baseball, basketball, soccer, and puns

Superstitions:

Too many to list. But one example: I always put on my socks and cleats the same way: Right sock on; left sock on; left stirrup on; right stirrup on; right cleat on; left cleat on; left cleat tied; right cleat tied.

Team Israel is heading to the A Pool of the European Championships in Bonn, Germany in early September, on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Finishing in the top 5 in the tournament will take Team Israel straight through to the Olympics qualifiers in Italy.

Let's hear from team member Joey Wagman, who played for Team Israel in the WBC tournament in 2017.

Bio

• Age: 28
• Height:6’/1.83m
• Weight: 185lb/83kg
• Position: RHP
• Current Team: Milwaukee Milkmen

A brief history

All American at Cal Poly Slo. 2013 draft pick of Chicago White Sox. Four years with Oakland Athletics. 7 total pro years. Member of the 2017 WBC Team Israel and 2019 Team Israel Senior National Team. 

Your standout moment as a player for Team Israel

Getting the first win against Lithuania and striking out 10 at the B Pool of the European Championships this year in July. 

Your baseball mantra

Enjoy playing a kids game as if you were still a kid.

What you are most looking forward to in Germany

Looking forward to playing high level international competition and qualifying for the Olympics!

You’re a fan of…

The beaches in Tel Aviv.

Team Israel is heading to the A Pool of the European Championships in Bonn, Germany in early September, on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Finishing in the top 5 in the tournament will take Team Israel straight through to the Olympics qualifiers in Italy.

Let's hear from team member Blake Gailen, who played for Team Israel in the WBC qualifiers and tournament in 2016 and 2017, and was MVP of the B Pool when Israel won in July this year.

Bio

• Age: 34
• Height:5’8”/1.76m
• Weight: 175lb/79kg
• Position: OF
• Throws/bats: L/L
• Current Team: OKC Dodgers

A brief history

Just finished 13th year professionally (2007-2019).
Have been in independent ball as well as MLB organizations (Angels, Rockies, Blue Jays, Dodgers).

Your standout moment as a player for Team Israel

Playing the WBC in Japan against Japan in 2017 was the best moment as a player in my career. I’d never seen a better atmosphere.

Your baseball mantra

Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something. You only can’t if you don’t try.

What you are most looking forward to in Germany

Looking most forward to the playoff atmosphere that these tournaments bring.

You’re a fan of…

All LA teams (Dodgers, Lakers, Kings). I love the NFL but don’t have a team.

Superstitions

There is a very fine line between superstition and committing to a routine. My entire career walks the line of that border.