World Baseball Classic 2013

[DSpivack]

Originally Posted by TomBradley72

We do.

The U.S. World Cup team is full of players who play overseas- but then play for the U.S. for the Cup.

Immigration FROM the U.S. to other countries is no where near the level of immigration to the U.S. from other countries- so I'm not sure how many 3rd generation Italians, Brazilians, etc. there are that have their original roots in the U.S.

There are players with strong US ties who have unfortunately chosen to play for other countries, as seen with Nevan Subotic or Giuseppe Rossi. But that's not quite the same thing. And FIFA rules are stricter than whatever rules there seem to be for the WBC.

[cub killer]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jinx

I've been a big fan too, but they really need to do something about the rules for playing for a country. The "Italian" team is a joke as half that roster is American anyway.

I disagree. If you grow up in an Italian household, you can feel just as Italian as any other Italian anywhere else in the world.

I have an unorthodox proposal for the 2017 edition:

2 pools of 8. 1st pool is called the "World League", 2nd is the "Global League". All teams play 7 games. Top teams in each "league" wins its pennant. The 2 winners face off in a best of 3 WBC Series.

to any Dominican WSIers here. You guys brought a tremendous atmosphere last night.

[WhiteSox5187]

Originally Posted by amsteel

Is Puerto Rico a state? Because if it isn't then they're not as closely tied to the US as Aruba, Cucacao, and Sint Maarten are to the KotN.

Puerto Rico is still considered a territory but in a recent non-binding referendum something like 61% of respondents said they wanted to become a state. What I want to know is IF Puerto Rico becomes a state, can they still field their own team for the WBC? Isn't that like having a New Jersey team?

[Mr. Jinx]

Originally Posted by cub killer

I disagree. If you grow up in an Italian household, you can feel just as Italian as any other Italian anywhere else in the world.

Except that it doesn't work like that for the vast majority of other international competitions.

[WhiteSox5187]

Bases are loaded with two outs for Puerto Rico, they could effectively end the US hopes' with a base hit here.

[WhiteSox5187]

Andy ****ing Gonzalez hits a hanging 0-2 curve to drive in two more runs after the US walks in another one. Puerto Rico leads by 4, Torre's decision to pull Vogelsong backfires. Torre has looked pretty bad during this

[DSpivack]

Originally Posted by WhiteSox5187

Puerto Rico is still considered a territory but in a recent non-binding referendum something like 61% of respondents said they wanted to become a state. What I want to know is IF Puerto Rico becomes a state, can they still field their own team for the WBC? Isn't that like having a New Jersey team?

Sure they could. In soccer and in rugby for that matter, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales compete separately. In the Olympics, they compete as one. It just depends on the rules of the governing body. It seems MLB, or whomever oversees the WBC, has rather lax rules when it's comes which to nationality.

[WhiteSox5187]

USA is out. Every move Torre made backfired horribly.

[KenBerryGrab]

Originally Posted by WhiteSox5187

USA is out. Every move Torre made backfired horribly.

How do you let Hosmer bat there in the eighth? Pathetic.

[WhiteSox5187]

Originally Posted by KenBerryGrab

How do you let Hosmer bat there in the eighth? Pathetic.

Why do you even pick Hosmer for the team?!

[amsteel]

In the long run the US continually losing might be what it takes to motivate the elite players into participating.

If seeing your country continually fail isn't motivation for you to get out there and help, then I don't know what to say.

[Lip Man 1]

Amsteel:

I disagree. This is a made up tournament that means absolutely nothing. What the USA does or does not do is meaningless to what elite players play for...a chance to get to the World Series.

Lip

[SephClone89]

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

Amsteel:

I disagree. This is a made up tournament that means absolutely nothing. What the USA does or does not do is meaningless to what elite players play for...a chance to get to the World Series.

Lip

Ah, as opposed to those organic tournaments.

[WhiteSox5187]

Originally Posted by amsteel

In the long run the US continually losing might be what it takes to motivate the elite players into participating.

If seeing your country continually fail isn't motivation for you to get out there and help, then I don't know what to say.

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

Amsteel:

I disagree. This is a made up tournament that means absolutely nothing. What the USA does or does not do is meaningless to what elite players play for...a chance to get to the World Series.

Lip

I agree with Lip, I just don't think American players really give a damn about this tournament and I think the managers of the American team have consistently treated it like an extension of spring training. I think it is a VERY big deal for almost everyone else though.

This tournament is a really good idea but it has some kinks that need to be worked out. I hope it does well and eventually reaches the point where the best players from each country WANT to play in this tournament and you can do away with that pitch count rule and maybe move it out of the middle of March when players aren't ready yet.

[TDog]

Originally Posted by WhiteSox5187

I agree with Lip, I just don't think American players really give a damn about this tournament and I think the managers of the American team have consistently treated it like an extension of spring training. I think it is a VERY big deal for almost everyone else though.

This tournament is a really good idea but it has some kinks that need to be worked out. I hope it does well and eventually reaches the point where the best players from each country WANT to play in this tournament and you can do away with that pitch count rule and maybe move it out of the middle of March when players aren't ready yet.

I think it's a great tournament and great for the future of baseball. Of course, there needs to be some tweaking. From a fan's perspective, the quality of baseball is exponentially better than Cactus or Grapefruit League baseball. You can tell from the faces of the players running in the outfield while spring grames are in progress that the exhibition games don't mean anything to the players.