THE WBC ….THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
The World Baseball Classic showcases global baseball talent and includes players from the American and National leagues, the first international baseball tournament to do so. The series included sixteen teams representing countries such as Italy, Australia The Netherlands and South Africa, not areas that we would generally think of as hotbeds of baseball. The teams were divided into 4 divisions, with Team USA initially in the grouping with Canada, Mexico and South Africa. It is a round robin affair, with the next WBC planned for 2009 and every fours years thereafter.
When you come right down to it, the major league rosters are increasingly including players from all over the world. As an example, for quite a few years, at the Little League World Series, Asian teams had dominated over all opposition. And now, in the Classic, Japan and Korea are two of the more dominant teams, I wonder if any of these guys played in the Little League World Series?
Some surprising results at this years WBC may be shocking to fans, particularly the USA losses to Canada and Korea, but it makes for some great sports drama. I can even see South Park dragging out the old “Blame it on Canada” script again! I thought they only played Hockey in Canada!
BASEBALL WILL STILL ALWAYS BE THE AMERICAN PASTIME
In my mind, baseball will always be known as the “American Pastime,” but it is obvious that it is becoming just as popular worldwide. I suppose we should have realized this sooner, but it takes a while to absorb the fact that many of the major leaguers we cheer throughout the season learned the beginnings of the game elsewhere, in the countries of their birth.
There was much scepticism about the playing of this tourney here in the States and political controversy about Cubas participation before the games began was only solved by the U.S. treasury Department issuing a permit to allow their involvement. While American fans still seemed cool to the whole idea of the tournament, Team USA players are ecstatic about their involvement and all seem really pleased that they decided to sign on. Injuries to star players are a major concern, the same concern that is found when fans and sports professional management complain about pros in the Olympics. Although attendance has been lower than anticipated, fans are adding to the excitement with flag waving and a resulting carnival atmosphere that is creating increasing interest as the games proceed.
THE GLOBAL EIGHT
As I write this, the tournament has dwindled down to eight teams and yes even though they suffered two embarrassing losses, the United States is still in it. There were some high scoring “laughers” in the first round, but as the games proceed it’s expected that the results will tighten up. Korea is emerging as one of the strongest nines at the WBC; recently hammering the USA in round two play. The Koreans have been studying the game for years, and in true Asian fashion have broken down the components of the game in fine detail. In particular their pitching has been outstanding in the early games of the tournament. The teams that are left, besides Team U.S.A., are Korea, Japan and Mexico. Along with Cuba, Venezuela, Puerto Rica and The Dominican Republic they make up the Global Eight.
It’s certainly not as sexy as picking the Final Four in NCAA Basketball, but I’m going with Korea, TEAM USA, Cuba and DR to advance to the next round. Oh yeah, Roger Clemens says he plans to retire after the WBC. The way he announced it left a small window of the possibility of returning. We’ll take that as a definite maybe, Rog!
If you have any comments for us please post them in our forum section.
Go to www.sportsplayer.net/forums/index.php and let us know.
Home 
