For Ernie Whitt and the Canadian national baseball team it is mission accomplished.
An 11-1 thumping of the Germans on Monday in the final of the Regensburg, Germany bracket sealed a tournament spot for Canada at the 2013 World Baseball Classic in March.
The Canadians hardly broke throughout the event, outscoring the opposition 38-9 in three games.
The other qualifying match that took place in Jupiter, Fla., on Sunday had Spain upsetting the Israelis 9-7 in extra innings.
Spain’s victory means there will be no controversy over whether major league baseball players of Jewish heritage will play for Israel or the United States. It was a decision that stars Ryan Braun and Ian Kinsler were both considering.
The Spaniards – made up of mostly Venezuelans, Cubans, and Dominicans – advance with Canada to the Classic in March.
The last two spots up for grabs will be decided in mid November with one qualifier coming in Panama City, and one in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
MLB talents like Carlos Ruiz (Phillies), Bruce Chen (Royals), and Carlos Lee (Marlins) could potentially lead the host Panamanians back to the Classic in a tournament that should be hotly contested.
They could go up against a Colombia squad with a potential lineup consisting of Braves super prospect Julio Teheran, Nationals catcher Jhonatan Solano, and White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana.
The group also might feature a Nicaragua team with Evereth Cabrera of the Padres, Houston’s Wilton Lopez, and veteran Red Sox hurler Vicente Padilla.
A Brazilian national team potentially led by Blue Jays prospect Yan Gomes will be there for experience.
In the other qualifying tournament, heavy favourite Taiwan is led by Baltimore Orioles ace Wei-Yin Chen, as well as Washington pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and Red Sox prospect Che-Hsuan Lin.
Thailand, the Philippines, and a youthful New Zealand team headlined by former Blue Jays prospect Scott Campbell will try to upset the Taiwanese.