Anybody else excited for this? I'm a huge baseball nerd who loves international sports competitions (Olympics, World Cup, etc.) so the WBC is a dream come true for me. I know a lot of people have reservations about this tourny because of the timing, etc. but I personally love it. I think it's a great way to grow the game internationally and, as I stated before, I love watching baseball played in international competitions. Not sure who I think will win. The DR, Venezuela, and the U.S. look loaded but the South Koreans and Japanese always field really solid teams. And then you've got some really interesting underdogs like the Netherlands (their roster has a strong presence of people from Dutch territories in the Caribbean like Aruba and Curacao who have strong baseball-playing traditions). Anyway, seeing as we're still fully entrenched in the College Football lull period, I thought I'd see if there were any other baseball fans on 11W getting stoked for the WBC.
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I am also a baseball nut! It was my first love at a young age and still is. I like the idea of the WBC, but I think they need to stop putting MLB players on the rosters. They may say otherwise, but they guys aren't going to go all out and as a Reds fan, I don't want Brandon Phillips or Joey Votto playing much less sacrificing their bodies in the WBC.
All that being said, I do love the event. It's helping spread baseball in parts of the world like Germany, The Netherlands, and China. 10 years ago, people really didn't know what the heck baseball was in China. Hell it wasn't all that long ago baseball was banned there. It's not elite by any stretch but they've made great strides there.
Germany has one of the fastest growing youth baseball organizations in the world, and the sport is popular there. The Netherlands took to baseball because and like it, and now Belgium has built a baseball program simply because they want to be Holland! In all it's great for the sport I love, but again, I really think they should limit it to Minor league and college players.
BT, I have loved baseball all of my life as well, and I have to disagree about MLB players on the active roster (pitchers being an exception). While I am glad that Cueto will not be playing (pitcher), I love the idea of my favorite Reds playing against international competition getting ready for the season. I know they could get hurt, but I am not as worried about a position player having a career threatening injury as I am a pitcher. JMHO
Always glad to meet another baseball nut :).
I respectfully disagree about allowing Major Leaguers to play in the tourny. I actually think that is essential for the success of the tourny because it gives it a sense of legitimacy when the best players in the world will be playing! I think the fact that major leaguers were never able to to participate in the Olympics or other international baseball competitions is a major reason why those tournaments were never successful. I definitely see where you are coming from with not wanting players from your team getting injured but I think the WBC tries to address this in various ways like limiting pitch counts for the pitchers, etc.
Couldn't agree more with spreading the game more globally though! It's really awesome to see baseball grow in countries that don't necessarily have strong baseball traditions like in China, The Netherlands, and Germany like you mentioned. That's really interesting to hear that baseball is one of the fastest growing youth sports in Germany, I did not know that!
Dear Lord,
Please look after Joey Votto in the WBC. Strike him down with norovirus if you have to, but do not let him reinjure that knee, or injure his other knee, or any of his other body parts.
Thanks,
Signed: Cincinnati, Ohio.
I just got done purchasing tix to the USA/Mexico game. Gonna be in Phoenix with some buddies for Spring Training games so the timing couldnt have been better!
Better start practicing my USA! USA! USA! chants :)
I don't know that it's neccessary for MLB players to be in the WBC for the long term health of the tournament. The Olympics sucked to lose, but the game is mostly a western Hemisphere game. Sure Japan, Korea, and Taiwan always had baseball interest, but that was about it outside the Western Hemisphere. When it was in Greece, they had a Greek baseball team. It was made up of guys from the US who had Greek Grandparents and great Grandparents. The only baseball field in Greece before the Olympics was one on a US Air Force Base. My point is, as other sports pop up less popular onces internationally disappear. For Example, wrestling will no longer be in the Olympics.
Anyway, my biggest point is, this time of year is where a team works on all the little things to get ready for the regular season. I'd rather have Phillips turning DP's right now with Zack Cozart, who he'll be playing with all season, than someone he won't be. Votto always talks about how he wants to be a leader in the clubhouse like Scott Rolen was, this is a good time of year to start building that chemistry. Not only that but if Votto or Phillips are going to get hurt I'd rather them get hurt playing for the team that is paying them a fortune, not a team in a tournament that is basically one giant exhibition.
Good point about building chemistry. To the issue of BP turning double plays, I am pretty sure he could turn two with me... not worried about extra work with Co-Z.
Just saying that Dat Dude is that amazing.
I'm a big baseball fan in general, and an Indians fan to be more specific. Honestly, the WBC doesn't really excite me all that much. I will probably follow it and get sucked into it, but really right now I'm more concerned with the Tribe and if they are actually gonna be competitive past July 4th this year.
Tenn,
do you like the moves the tribe made this year?
I think the WBC is a great idea, but having it in the spring is the WORST idea. The US MLB players are not compelled nor in-shape enough to go all-out for the tournament because they are all just coming off 5-6 months of offseason. Teams are scared to death their stars are going to get hurt when they're supposed to be getting ready in spring training so they're not as likely to allow all the best players to play. The Reds blocked Johnny Cueto from pitching in it this week. They need to have it in the fall after the World Series or not at all. Just my two cents.
"Sherman ran an option play right through the south" - Greatest.Civil.War.Analogy.Ever
Yeah, you definitely make a valid point about the timing of it . . . I guess one problem about having it in the fall is going head to head with football for ratings, although that happens already with playoff baseball anyway.
I really enjoy the WBC, just bought the USA hat to have available for it. I don't mind the non-mlb guys playing, enjoy seeing the future of the game play since minor league games aren't typically televised.