Hulett, Woodward to manage in World Classic qualifying

Tim Hulett, manager of Class A Spokane in the Texas Rangers’ organization, will manage the Philippines in qualifying next month for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Play takes place from Feb. 11-14 in Sydney, with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand also trying to advance to the 16-nation field.

Former big league infielder Chris Woodward will manage New Zealand. Woodward was a coach for New Zealand in its unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2013 tournament.

Qualifiers join Canada, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States and Venezuela in next year’s tournament. The Dominican Republic won the 2013 title.