The history of baseball in the Czech Republic?

The Czech Republic were not supposed to be at this World Baseball Classic. Facing the heavily favored Spain team in the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers in Regensburg, Germany, the team turned to firefighter/star pitcher Martin Schneider in a must-win game. Schneider dominated for 6 1/3 innings, giving up just one run. Home runs from Martin Mu?ík and Marek Chlup -- along with a clutch throw from Chlup to nail a runner at the plate -- sealed it: The tiny central European nation would be going to its first World Baseball Classic.

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Before the Czech Republic makes history when it takes the field against China on March 9 (10 p.m. ET), read on to learn more about what baseball is like in the country.

WBSC Rank: 15

Last WBC appearance: N/A

Best WBC finish: N/A

Country’s top current Major Leaguers: None, though pitcher Michal Kovala was recently named the top pitching prospect in Europe, Boris Ve?erka recently signed with the D-backs and Chlup is crushing dingers while playing for North Greenville University, a D-II school.

Brief history of the sport:

Unlike in other European countries like Germany where the game grew around American military bases, the Czech Republic has its own unique history. When Czechoslovakia was under communist rule, baseball was often looked upon with suspicion. It was only thanks to Cuba's success in the sport that people were even allowed to play it at all.

After some earlier fits and starts, baseball returned to the country in the 1960s and '70s as student clubs and softball teams switched over to hardball. The Extraliga started play in 1979 and a national team has been competing in international tournaments since 1982. After the Iron Curtain fell in 1989, U.S. coaches were allowed into the country to help teach players and hold instructional camps. Since then, the country has taken off, rising up the WBSC rankings along the way. The Extraliga now features eight teams in its first division, has its very own baseball card set and every game is streamed live worldwide.

Famous Players

Martin ?ervenka

He came so close. ?ervenka nearly became the first Czech homegrown player to reach the Major Leagues, playing in Triple-A for the Orioles and Mets. He was even called up briefly by the Mets when they believed there may be an injury and he would take a place on the roster. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case and he was sent back down.

Now back in the Czech Republic, he is set to play for his childhood team -- Tempo Praha -- next year. He led the Czech Baseball Extraliga in home runs last year with 15 while playing for Eagles Praha.

Carl Linhart

If you check the official record book, you'll see Linhart as the last Czech-born player to reach the Major Leagues when he played three games for the Tigers in 1952. However, that was when the country was known as Czechoslovakia and he was born in Zborov, which is in Slovakia. Jan Jabrocky of Milujeme Baseball has spoken with the family and they consider themselves Slovakian, as well.

In addition, while Baseball-References lists four former Major Leaguers as being from the Czech Republic, fans in the country don't consider them to be homegrown stars. Why's that? Sports broadcaster and filmmaker Martin Claus explained that they all reached the Majors before baseball was really played in the Czech Republic, so they didn't actually learn and develop in the country.

Pavel Budsk?

Budsk? played one season in the Royals' system in 1997 -- the same year he was first called up to the Czech National Team. He represented the national team through 2013, and is still playing in the Czech Extraliga. Playing for Draci Brno last year, the 47-year-old Budsk? hit .157/.260/.241 with one home run and, perhaps most impressively, three stolen bases.

Martin Schneider

Not only did Schneider get the win against Spain last year, but he is considered perhaps the greatest pitcher and shortstop in Czech baseball history. Though he is just going to pitch at the upcoming Classic to save his energy, he has played both positions on the international stage throughout his career.

"I hope I'm going to face [Shohei Ohtani at the World Baseball Classic]. He's just a little bit better than me," Schneider joked recently.

Biggest Moments in History

The biggest moment will be the next one, when the Czech Republic makes its debut in the World Baseball Classic. But the country has had plenty of big moments in its past, too.

The men's national team finished fourth at the 2014 European Championships, while the U-23 team won the European Championships in 2010 and '19. The U-21 team also finished fifth in the 2014 World Cup in Taiwan -- its best finish ever.

The Czech Republic's Little League team also played in the Little League World Series in 2013 and '14. Those teams were led by current national team manager, Pavel Chadim.

Local League setup and teams

The Czech Extraliga currently features eight teams in its top league -- down from a max of 10 in the past. Draci Brno is by far the most successful ballclub, having won 22 league titles, including 16 in a row from 1995 to 2010. Technika Brno (1993, 1994 and 2011) and the Ostrava Arrows (2018, 2019 and 2021) each have three titles, and the only other team to have won is the Kotlá?ka Praha, a team that has since been relegated to the second division.

In addition to the league, the country hosts the annual Prague Baseball Week, when teams from around the world come for the tournament.

Notable ballparks

While Tempo Praha has the best indoor facilities -- perfect for training during the cold winter months -- Draci Brno's City Baseball Stadium (built in 2007) is one of the finest European baseball fields and will host the finals of the 2023 European baseball championships.