World Baseball Classic: More details announced

[Gamingboy]

Why, it's going to MLB players playing. The Countries and their baseball organizations have little if anything to do with it.

Q: How many players will come from Major League Baseball?

A: It is estimated that more than 60% of the players participating in the tournament (approximately 270 players) will be under contract with Major League Baseball organizations (Major League and Minor League contracts). The remaining players will be selected from various professional and amateur baseball leagues throughout the world.

So, it's not just gonna be MLB players playing. That extra 40% is coming from the other pro leagues (NPB, KBO.. etc.) and Amateur movements.

[jkrdevil]

Why, it's going to MLB players playing. The Countries and their baseball organizations have little if anything to do with it.

No, NPB players are going and the tournament is smack in the middle of their Spring Training.

And this is taken place in a large portion of MLB spring training. It's not like it is happening during their season.

[CC97]

How come people were complaining about this format at the HR Derby, but a three-week long version of it is no problem at all?

Why oh why don't I see any "THIS RUINS THE TRADITION OF SPRING TRAINING!"?

[Gamingboy]

Spring Training will be fine. This will only happen every 3 or 5 years. And it's not like there isn't going to be spring training. There are only some limited number of roster spots, so there will still be plenty, plenty of Spring Training. Sure, you might not be able to see all the biggest stars, but it's not like you do that much anyways.

And as far as the "The players won't be ready for the season!" aspect, something tells me that facing the best the world has to offer will surely get them ready. The only players it would truly hurt would be those that end up on new teams by next spring.

[OMMF]

How come people were complaining about this format at the HR Derby, but a three-week long version of it is no problem at all?

Why oh why don't I see any "THIS RUINS THE TRADITION OF SPRING TRAINING!"?

You've had these boards for how long and still haven't realized that people's complaining is never going to make sense?

OMG blue ice! Never! Bigger goals and shootouts? Oh, that's fine.

[Gamingboy]

There is always resistance to change. When the change will be detrimental to the sport, then the resistance is good. But if resistance is applied to everything, good or bad, nothing will ever get done.

[KennyRock]

My question is the ordering of the bracket. It makes a lot more sense for Puerto Rico(as an American territory)to be in the bracket with the US, Canada and Mexico. Then, you could have had Venezuela, Panama, Cuba and the Dominican Republic as a Central American/Carribean bracket, and had the Nertherlands, Australia, Italy and South Africa as a big Europe/Africa/Australia bracket - only the Asian bracket really makes sense... Other than that, I love the idea and I hope a decent amount of the games get televised here.

[HedleyLamarr]

My question is the ordering of the bracket. It makes a lot more sense for Puerto Rico(as an American territory)to be in the bracket with the US, Canada and Mexico. Then, you could have had Venezuela, Panama, Cuba and the Dominican Republic as a Central American/Carribean bracket, and had the Nertherlands, Australia, Italy and South Africa as a big Europe/Africa/Australia bracket - only the Asian bracket really makes sense... Other than that, I love the idea and I hope a decent amount of the games get televised here.

They tried to create foursomes that were competitively balanced (which is hard to do when you don't have much to compare with). Also, since PR is one of the host sites of group play, it makes sense for them to be in a different group than the US, and to boost attendance for their group.

[OMMF]

A-Rod has decided to play for the DR

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2106934

[Swiss]

aaah Andew Jones is playing for the netherlands because he is from Curaco.. and here i thought he owned a pair of wooden shoes and had a thing for tulips... and porn

Cura*ao is a outerseas district of Netherlands. It's like Hawaii for USA.

[Braden]

Ahh now Isee, thanks for clearing that up Swiss.

[Gamingboy]

A-Rod has decided to play for the DR

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2106934

We're in deep trouble now.......

[NJTank]

A-Roid should play for America what is wrong with him

[pcgd]

I agree.

Dual Citizenship is a joke.

If you were born in a country, fine.

But if you found out you were from there and visited, you shouldn't play for them.

Maybe its sour grapes cause I know he'd help out the US. But come on, you were born here, you lived here, you went to HS here.

[BaltimoreFan]

A-Roid should play for America what is wrong with him

I now it is stupid, he was born and raised in the USA. I think there should be a rule you were born in, unless you dont make the team (which there is no doubt AROD would). For example, I was born in America and have never left the country. My great grandfather was from Italy. So, if I tried out and did not make Team USA I would be allowed to play for Italy if I could make their team.

[jkrdevil]

Family background should have nothing to do with it. You are where you are from. If you were born in America and raised in America then you are American. Your not Italian, Irish, German, English, African, Spanish, Mexican or whatever else. A-rod lived all but 4 years in America, and the years he lived in the Dominican republic were when he was 4-8. So he grew up in the US. This is a joke. In fact this whole elgibilty requirements are a joke. I again point out Jason Simontacchi.

[DEAD!]

Hey, if you think this is a joke, just look at soccer. Many players have played for countries that are not that of their birthplace. It's good for players from talented nations, who want international experience, but are not good enough to make their home country's roster. Therefore, they would find a lesser known country and play for them. Of course this loophole has be abused.

In A-Rod's case, it would seem stupid for a really high caliber player, like A-Rod to play for another country who already have good talent.

[Sguse1]

and canada will have jesse crain as a closer

[BaltimoreFan]

Hey, if you think this is a joke, just look at soccer. Many players have played for countries that are not that of their birthplace. It's good for players from talented nations, who want international experience, but are not good enough to make their home country's roster. Therefore, they would find a lesser known country and play for them. Of course this loophole has be abused.

In A-Rod's case, it would seem stupid for a really high caliber player, like A-Rod to play for another country who already have good talent.

I agree I think it could make the teams more competitive. Just follow the rule that you can only go to another countries team if you can not make your home countries team. Also you have to play for a country you descend from.

[OMMF]

Effective immediately: All St Patrick's Day parties will cease, with the exception of those thrown by people who were born in Ireland. All other people are NOT Irish and therefore should not be claiming their heritage. All Chinese little leaguers playing on American teams will now be known as American little leaguers. Doesn't matter if the 20 generations before them were born in China, they were born in America and that makes them not Chinese.

That's what you all are saying right? Don't be proud of who you are and your family heritage unless you were born there? That would make almost all of you American with the exception of the few Aussies and Englanders. I hope to not see anymore discussions about what you all are then since you seem to agree that you're nothing but Americans despite what your geneology says.