The WBC? (1 Viewer)

[Eephus]

Putting aside the fact that Bud Selig instigated it, what are your opinions of the World Baseball Classic?

 

[Tom Servo]

Seems like a nice idea...concept seems OK. I voted Jose just because it was a cool option.

 

[Tom Servo]

BTW, how does ARod get to play for the Dominican? I thought he was as American as I am.

 

[Eephus]

BTW, how does ARod get to play for the Dominican? I thought he was as American as I am.

I think it's cool and feeds the whole Arod=heel schtick. He should stand at home plate before the game and sing the Dominican national anthem. "Dominican Republic number one, USA ptooey"

 

[Wrigley]

Love it=I get to watch some biesbal.

 

[TLEF316]

like it a lot.

 

[Captain Hook]

Sorry but poll is flawed

I like it - will watch it, but DON'T love it and there are problems when it disrupts spring training....then again only every four years

 

[Eephus]

Sorry but poll is flawedI like it - will watch it, but DON'T love it and there are problems when it disrupts spring training....then again only every four years

Fair enough.From now on, Jose Sulaiman=I like it - will watch it, but DON'T love it

 

[Leroy Hoard]

BTW, how does ARod get to play for the Dominican? I thought he was as American as I am.

Yes, but his roids are 100% Dominican.

 

[Wrigley]

Sorry but poll is flawedI like it - will watch it, but DON'T love it and there are problems when it disrupts spring training....then again only every four years

Fair enough.From now on, Jose Sulaiman=I like it - will watch it, but DON'T love it

But I voted already. Vote changed to Jose Superman

 

[shadyridr]

love it

 

[This_Guy]

BTW, how does ARod get to play for the Dominican? I thought he was as American as I am.

He has dual citizenship and lived in the Dominican Republic for 3 years growing up.Does seem strange that he played for USA in '06 and now is playing for a different country in '09. Piazza played for Italy in '06 which is even more of a reach.

 

[PIK95]

I love it more than the World Series even. I just wish all the players would step up and play. As a Sox fan it really cracks me up when the hosts and callers on WEEI wine about it getting in the way of spring training. Typical self centered American sports fans, lol.

 

[TitusIII]

LOVE IT!!! I agree with you Pik. As I posted in a drunken state the other day:

"If the USA makes the final four, I expect the television ratings to be on the same level as the average World Series game, at least. As long as the event is a hit in Japan/Korea/most of the South American/Caribbean countries participating, which I believe it is/will be, I'm fairly confident this event will thrive if it remains the biggest national competition. I'm not naive enough to think profit isn't one of the main goals of the organizers, but I do believe they realize this event has the potential to be more than a simple plaything of the rich and famous like today's MLB.

The World Cup of Soccer is my favorite sporting event, by far(coming from a man who despises the game of soccer, for the most part), due to its rarity and the passionate play of the participants..if the WBC can muster up a tenth of what the World Cup of Soccer is, it will an absolute dream for any fan of the game. I simply do not understand how a fan of the game of baseball doesn't want this event to be the massive hit it should be in time. Of course, the billionaires that "own" the MLB professionals that participate may have a different opinion, but I could care less about them. They probably want the event to fail, and may do everything in their power to achiece that goal, but so be it, they are part of the problem in today's game. It's not going to be baseball's version of the World Cup overnight, or in the next twenty years, but a man can hope. I love the White Sox, and hope they win World Series after World Series, but the USA national team is bigger deal, imo..."

 

[shadyridr]

I remember 3 years ago thinking that it was a cool idea. And then watching those games it just blew me away how much more I enjoyed it then I expected to. Im looking forward to this year. I just wish more guys wanted to play in it instead of coming up with any excuse possible. The Dominican team isnt as good as it should be, the Japanese team isnt as good as it should be, and even the Korean team has had a star drop out. I think the US team is the most complete team top to bottom I just wish some of the closers wouldve stayed in instead of dropping out.

 

[Eephus]

While there are legitimate concerns about the no shows, the format and the motivation behind the competition, those tend to get diminished after the ump yells "play ball". Meaningful games in March are a wonderful thing in themselves, but I also like the rare glimpse of seeing how other cultures approach the National Pastime.

 

[whoknew]

It's fun to watch but its fairly useless. And I certainly wish there were no Tigers playing. At least (so far) there are no Tiger pitchers.

 

[gump]

- I think you need to be 20% blood of a country to play for them.

- Players who don't play in it hate it. Spring Training is now 3 weeks longer than normal.

- The US is taking it more seriously, playing 3 practice games...which they didn't do 3 years ago.

- It will now be every 4 years.

I went to see the US/Yankees yesterday...not good. The Legends atmosphere was stale...and only roughly half full. I heard the practice game in Bradenton between the Pirates and Netherlands brought in about 1K people.

Obviously the games in PR will be incredible, and the games in Miami and LA great...IF PR or DR make it all the way...good if US makes it. Otherwise...I don't anticipate great things with the event. It is competitive baseball though...thank goodness for that.

ETA: Talk about a complete nightmare from a product standpoint. Player business is 90% of it...you have to plan your jerseys by early January...the rosters aren't finalized until late Feb...half the committed players drop out...and the event lasts 2 weeks. Impossible to execute.

 

[TitusIII]

It's fun to watch but its fairly useless. And I certainly wish there were no Tigers playing. At least (so far) there are no Tiger pitchers.

I don't see how it is any more useless than the World Series...

 

[awesomeness]

I like it because Canada beat the USA last time this thing took place.

I laughed.

 

[shadyridr]

- I think you need to be 20% blood of a country to play for them.

- Players who don't play in it hate it. Spring Training is now 3 weeks longer than normal.

- The US is taking it more seriously, playing 3 practice games...which they didn't do 3 years ago.

- It will now be every 4 years.

I went to see the US/Yankees yesterday...not good. The Legends atmosphere was stale...and only roughly half full. I heard the practice game in Bradenton between the Pirates and Netherlands brought in about 1K people.

Obviously the games in PR will be incredible, and the games in Miami and LA great...IF PR or DR make it all the way...good if US makes it. Otherwise...I don't anticipate great things with the event. It is competitive baseball though...thank goodness for that.

ETA: Talk about a complete nightmare from a product standpoint. Player business is 90% of it...you have to plan your jerseys by early January...the rosters aren't finalized until late Feb...half the committed players drop out...and the event lasts 2 weeks. Impossible to execute.

Those were exhibition games. If I remember correctly the actual WBC games had tons of fans and a great atmosphere.

 

[gump]

- I think you need to be 20% blood of a country to play for them.

- Players who don't play in it hate it. Spring Training is now 3 weeks longer than normal.

- The US is taking it more seriously, playing 3 practice games...which they didn't do 3 years ago.

- It will now be every 4 years.

I went to see the US/Yankees yesterday...not good. The Legends atmosphere was stale...and only roughly half full. I heard the practice game in Bradenton between the Pirates and Netherlands brought in about 1K people.

Obviously the games in PR will be incredible, and the games in Miami and LA great...IF PR or DR make it all the way...good if US makes it. Otherwise...I don't anticipate great things with the event. It is competitive baseball though...thank goodness for that.

ETA: Talk about a complete nightmare from a product standpoint. Player business is 90% of it...you have to plan your jerseys by early January...the rosters aren't finalized until late Feb...half the committed players drop out...and the event lasts 2 weeks. Impossible to execute.

Those were exhibition games. If I remember correctly the actual WBC games had tons of fans and a great atmosphere.

It's all relative of course. The real games should be fine. But MLB thought Jeter vs the Yankees would be big, especially at the crown jewel of Spring Training. There were some bigwigs at the game. It was a beautiful day. But no one cared.Legends business BTW has been the worst it has in years. They've had increases basically over the last 7-8 years...but this year they take a step back. Definitely being hit by the economy, which I think will affect the WBC as well.

 

[Tom Servo]

I love it more than the World Series even. I just wish all the players would step up and play. As a Sox fan it really cracks me up when the hosts and callers on WEEI wine about it getting in the way of spring training. Typical self centered American sports fans, lol.

Why do you hate America?

 

[PIK95]

I love it more than the World Series even. I just wish all the players would step up and play. As a Sox fan it really cracks me up when the hosts and callers on WEEI wine about it getting in the way of spring training. Typical self centered American sports fans, lol.

Why do you hate America?

 

[TitusIII]

The Japan/China game had the best atmosphere I've ever seen at any baseball game. I need to go to Japan just to watch a game, the fans are simply the best. I love this event, although I'm in favor of having it every four years. No piped in noise, just fans enjoying the best game in the world. I'll never understand why some despise this event, as it's one of the only good things to come from the Selig era.

 

[Premier]

It's a pretty good idea, but I don't get the impression that it's executed very well. I think they should find a way to break it up a little. Jamming it all into a 3-week period seems silly, especially when there is no build up to it, like the World Cup has with it's qualifiers.

There's no feeling of 'team', at least from the US side. Just a bunch of guys piled together to try and find a way to win quickly. Really the whole thing is just an advertisement for baseball worldwide.

 

[prosopis]

I love it.

 

[shadyridr]

The Japan/China game had the best atmosphere I've ever seen at any baseball game. I need to go to Japan just to watch a game, the fans are simply the best. I love this event, although I'm in favor of having it every four years. No piped in noise, just fans enjoying the best game in the world. I'll never understand why some despise this event, as it's one of the only good things to come from the Selig era.

It is every 4 years. They just did it 3 years this time to get it in a different year than an Olympics but from now on its every 4 years.

 

[whoknew]

Why do Japan's jerseys and hats say "Japan"?

 

[strykerpks]

I like it. As someone said earlier, competitive baseball in March is fun.

But I wonder how the teams are put together. I can't seem to come across any rules for that. How does a player get on a country's team? Vinny Rottino, a catcher for the Brewers, was born in Racine, WI, played college ball at UW-LAX and from what I can tell, never "lived" in Italy, yet is playing for the Italian team. Is it simply an "I have Italian blood, therefore I can be on the team" type thing?

 

[shadyridr]

I like it. As someone said earlier, competitive baseball in March is fun.But I wonder how the teams are put together. I can't seem to come across any rules for that. How does a player get on a country's team? Vinny Rottino, a catcher for the Brewers, was born in Racine, WI, played college ball at UW-LAX and from what I can tell, never "lived" in Italy, yet is playing for the Italian team. Is it simply an "I have Italian blood, therefore I can be on the team" type thing?

They had to be a little liberal with the rules to fill up teams like The Netherlands, South Africa, and Italy. As the sport develops in those countries you'll probably see less of those instances. Anyway, I believe the rule is you or one of your parents have to be born in that country. I could be mistaken.

 

[gump]

I like it. As someone said earlier, competitive baseball in March is fun.But I wonder how the teams are put together. I can't seem to come across any rules for that. How does a player get on a country's team? Vinny Rottino, a catcher for the Brewers, was born in Racine, WI, played college ball at UW-LAX and from what I can tell, never "lived" in Italy, yet is playing for the Italian team. Is it simply an "I have Italian blood, therefore I can be on the team" type thing?

From what I've heard from people at MLB....you are supposed to be 20% blood to qualify for a country. What is that...1 grandparent?

 

[strykerpks]

Thanks shady and gump. I found it...just didn't look hard enough

LINK

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Each player on a Team's approved Provisional Roster must be eligible to participate for that Team. A player will be so eligible only if:

* The player was born in the nation or territory the Team represents, as evidenced by a birth certificate or its equivalent or in player records maintained by Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball or the Korean Baseball Organization; or

* The player has one parent who is, or if deceased was, a citizen of the nation the Team represents, as evidenced by a passport or other documentation satisfactory to WBCI and the IBAF; or

* The player has one parent who was born in the nation or territory the Team represents, as evidenced by a birth certificate or its equivalent.

If a player is qualified for citizenship or to hold a passport under the laws of a nation represented by a Team, but has not been granted citizenship or been issued a passport, then the player may be made eligible by WBCI upon petition by the player or Team. Such petition must include documentary evidence showing to the satisfaction of WBCI that the player would be granted citizenship or a passport in due course under the laws of the nation represented by that Team, had the player applied for such citizenship or passport.

Each Team shall submit to WBCI on or before the time it submits its proposed Provisional Roster the evidence supporting the eligibility of each of the players on its proposed Provisional Roster, unless WBCI grants an extension in regard to a player. If such an extension is granted, evidence supporting the eligibility of such player shall be submitted to WBCI as soon as practicable after January 16, 2009, but in no event later than a date to be set by WBCI with respect to such player.

In the event a player is eligible to play on more than one Team, the Player may select the Team for which he wishes to play, provided that nothing shall prohibit such a player from declaring his willingness to play for any Team for which he is eligible to play.

If a player on a Team's approved Provisional Roster or approved Tournament Roster is subsequently determined, in the sole discretion of WBCI, not to have been eligible to participate for that Team, the player shall be removed from the Tournament Roster and shall not be eligible to play in the remainder of the Tournament. Such ineligible player may not be replaced on the Team's Tournament Roster. WBCI may, in its discretion, impose sanctions upon any Team that WBCI determines has used one or more ineligible players.