YUMA, Ariz. - Two Arizona Western baseball players are set to compete in the World Baseball Classic for the very first time for their home countries. Current Matador closing pitcher Philip Kollman was selected to play for Czechia (Czech Republic) and former Matador Delano Selassa will play for the Netherlands. 

Filip Kollman

"When we were heading to Las Vegas at the end of January, I got a call on the team [Arizona Western] bus," Filip Kollman said. "It made my trip way better."

It's a dream the 20-year-old Kollman has been working for over the past three years.

"I went on some trips with the national team," Kollman said. "I knew there was a possibility. When I was on the 35-man roster, I knew there was a chance. I worked hard and I paid off."

Kollman says he'll be the closing pitcher for Czechia and there is a possibility he could face the world icon Shohei Ohtani as Czechia is paired with defending champion Japan in Pool C, with games being played in Tokyo, Japan.

"It's pretty insane to think about it," Kollman said. "He's the best player in the world. It's insane that I may have a chance to face him playing against team Japan in the sold-out Tokyo Dome. I'm so grateful for this opportunity."

Kollman says he's been prepared over the past few years playing for the Czech national team for the big moment on baseball's big stage, adding that he's already played in the Tokyo Dome in front of large crowds. Filip also says he looks forward to playing with his national teammates and also picking the brain of Terrin Vavra, an infielder who has major league experience. 

"I'm looking forward to meeting him and maybe get some information on how to get into the big leagues," Kollman said. "I really look forward to seeing all of my friends."

Kollman says he's also thankful and grateful to Arizona Western head baseball coach Jon Wente for allowing him to participate in the WBC and being away from the team for over three weeks.

"So grateful to my coaches as I'll miss the opening week of conference play," Kollman said. "I just want to say a huge thanks to the coaches for letting me go." 

"It's pretty cool," Arizona Western head baseball coach Jon Wente said. "To represent your country in anything you do and the sport that you play is a unique honor. Other than Major League Baseball, the World Baseball Classic is the biggest thing we have going in our sport. To do that and maybe face Ohtani, it's pretty cool. It's a special deal and I'm proud of him and I wish him and his country the best. We'll be cheering him on and hope he represents us in the best manner."

Kollman will wear #26 and Czechia will begin WBC pool play on Thursday, March 5th, versus South Korea in the Tokyo Dome at 3:00 am MST. Kollman's chance to face Shohei Ohtani and Japan will come on Tuesday, March 10th. This will mark Kollman's first appearance in the World Baseball Classic. 

Delano Selassa

Former Arizona Western baseball player Delano Selassa will also make his first appearance in the World Baseball Classic getting the call to play for his home country, the Netherlands. Selassa played in 41 games for Arizona Western during the 2020-21 season, the infielder batted .361 during that time in 116 plate appearance. Selassa also hit three homeruns, drove in 16 and stole 11 bases. 

"I found out about five weeks before the deadline," Delano Selassa said. "I got a call from the General Manager from the Netherlands team, he said I made the team , it was a special moment. It's nice to be a part of the Netherlands team, it wasn't easy to make the team but after a good 2025 season my changes became much bigger."

After his time at Arizona Western, Selassa said he went back home and played for his hometown team, the Amsterdam Pirates for two years, then went back to his first team HCAW.

"2023 was a great year for me," Selassa said.  I signed a contract for the 2024 season with the Quebec Capitales in Canada. In 2025 I came back to the Netherlands and this is where I am still playing right now."

Selassa and the Netherlands are in Pool D and will start play in Miami, Florida.

"I'm looking forward to playing in Miami and in loanDepot Park, the home of the Miami Marlins," Selassa said. "So looking forward to playing in a big league park! ⁠I'm also looking forward to playing against the Dominican Republic. They play with high energy and I think we match with that, so that's gonna be a fun game for sure."

Selassa will wear #22 and is one of six outfielders on apretty impressive roster under head coach Andruw Jones.

Selassa also says he still keeps in contact with some of his former Arizona Western teammates and coaches. 

"I just wanna thank Coach Zeke Mitchem for everything he has done for me," Selasa said. "He helped me a lot during my time in Yuma. It's nice to see that players from the Netherlands are choosing Arizona Western College. I still contact some teammates on a daily basis, it's nice to still have that camaraderie."

Selassa and the Netherlands will begin play in the World Baseball Classic on Friday, March 6th in Miami, Florida versus Venezuela at 10:00am MST. The Netherlands will face the Dominican Republic on Sunday, March 8th, at 10:00am MST. 

The 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) is the sixth edition of the premier international baseball tournament, featuring 20 national teams from March 5–17, 2026. Games will be held in Miami, Houston, San Juan, and Tokyo, with the championship taking place at loanDepot park in Miami.