Martin willing to play shortstop at WBC
MONTREAL (The Canadian Press) — Catcher Russell Martin says he’s ready to play shortstop or any other position on the field if it will help Canada win at the World Baseball Classic.
The recently signed Pittsburgh Pirate says he’ll even add fielding grounders to his winter training program in case Canada manager Ernie Whitt opts to use him in the infield.
He’d even consider playing shortstop in the unlikely case that the Pirates ever ask him to switch positions.
“I don’t want to do something that’s not going to help the team, whether it’s Pittsburgh or Team Canada,” Martin told reporters Wednesday on a conference call. “I know I have the ability to play shortstop.
“I haven’t played there in a long time. I know the speed of the game is going to be higher than when I last played (in high school and college). But right now, if it means I can help the team by playing shortstop for Canada then I’ll do that.
Martin, of Chelsea, Que., recently told Greg Hamilton, director of national teams for Baseball Canada, that he was willing to play shortstop at the third edition of the Classic in March.
Canada does not have a shortstop in the major leagues, but it has another catcher in George Kottaras of the Oakland A’s.
Martin, who took the call while on vacation in Barcelona, said he is anxious to play in the tournament, where Canada did not advance past the first round in previous editions in 2006 and 2009, both won by Japan.
But his main concern is getting ready for his first season with the Pirates, who signed the free agent to a two-year, $17-million US contract last week. He will head to Arizona in early January to get down to work.