World Baseball Classic 2013

[jdm2662]

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.

It is a known fact majority of Americans don't take international competition seriously. And, it's the case for all sports, not just baseball. I do think it was taken more seriously during the time of the Soviet Union and all of the other communist countries reign. But, most people these days under 30 don't even remember those times.

I am for international competition. The problem with this tourny, which the quality of play is probably good, it's hard for myself to take it seriously. It's beyond stupid that second generation Americans who have zero ties to such country is playing for the respective country. I watched a little bit of the game today just because nothing else was on. I enjoyed the play, but I wasn't emotionally attached to it. I was much more upset the Sox faltered down the stretch last season, but I wasn't even close to being upset as I was in 2003. But, that's just more of who I am today more than anything.

[TomBradley72]

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.

+1

I think this tournament is getting better each time out. If a tournament was only measured by American level of interest- the World Cup would be somewhere between the Music City Bowl and the AHL Finals. Clearly the teams and fans from Japan, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic all care deeply about this tournament and who wins. For this being only the 3rd WBC- impressed with the way its growing outside the US- and the quality of play across the board is improving for the "non baseball" countries like China, etc.

It's pretty cool to see players of this calibar playing their hearts out- not for money- but for pride in their country. That makes for some unique and interesting baseball.

It needs broader access on TV (need to have some games make it to network TV or at least ESPN/TBS, etc.) and MLB radio should have the games- especially Team USA.

[Mr. Jinx]

Originally Posted by TomBradley72

+1

I think this tournament is getting better each time out. If a tournament was only measured by American level of interest- the World Cup would be somewhere between the Music City Bowl and the AHL Finals. Clearly the teams and fans from Japan, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic all care deeply about this tournament and who wins. For this being only the 3rd WBC- impressed with the way its growing outside the US- and the quality of play across the board is improving for the "non baseball" countries like China, etc.

It's pretty cool to see players of this calibar playing their hearts out- not for money- but for pride in their country. That makes for some unique and interesting baseball.

It needs broader access on TV (need to have some games make it to network TV or at least ESPN/TBS, etc.) and MLB radio should have the games- especially Team USA.

It would also help if Harold Renyolds is not allowed anywhere near a live game booth too.

[SephClone89]

Originally Posted by TomBradley72

+1

I think this tournament is getting better each time out. If a tournament was only measured by American level of interest- the World Cup would be somewhere between the Music City Bowl and the AHL Finals.

You realize that the World Cup has been a smashing success in the US? The later rounds of the World Cup get TV ratings comparable to the World Series. Not bad for something "nobody cares about."

And the Champions League final, which features absolutely no American involvement, is in the same ballpark as Stanley Cup Finals TV ratings.

But yeah, nobody cares.

It's all about the demographics. Soccer is gaining huge ground in the 18-34 male bracket. In many regions of the US, it's clearly passed NHL in terms of interest. And that's evne without a high-profile American league...most American soccer fans are more interested in the European game, which makes the TV ratings all the more impressive.

[Lip Man 1]

Soccer....ah yes. I remember the NASL, the Chicago Sting and the advertising motto, "it's the sport of the 70's..." then it became "it's the sport of the 80's..."

Is it "the sport of the new century yet" ??????????????????

Not knocking soccer, other nations enjoy it. Good for them. It hasn't caught on as a major U.S. sport in 40 years. It won't.

Same as the WBC. Just doesn't connect with the American fan.

So be it. Those who enjoy it, good for you. The majority of U.S. fans though see WBC and let out a big yawn.

--------------------------------------

By the way just read a column in S.I. where the author acknowledged that this made for TV event isn't popular with U.S. fans and probably will never be but he did offer one suggestion. He says play the opening rounds in March, then shut the season down for 10 days in July to play the finals.

Lip

[SephClone89]

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

Soccer....ah yes. I remember the NASL, the Chicago Sting and the advertising motto, "it's the sport of the 70's..." then it became "it's the sport of the 80's..."

Is it "the sport of the new century yet" ??????????????????

Not knocking soccer, other nations enjoy it. Good for them. It hasn't caught on as a major U.S. sport in 40 years. It won't.

You're completely missing the point. Soccer has caught on gradually over the last decades. Hell, in the last five years it's made a drastic move. These days, when I'm wearing anything Tottenham out, it's not unusual to have someone comment on it.

Again, World Cup final ratings are comparable to World Series games. Champions League final ratings are comparable to NHL playoff games. Would not have been imaginable in the NASL era.

[amsteel]

I'm sure no one gave a **** about the 1934 World Cup, either, but 80 years later its the worlds premier sporting competition. People forget that the vision of the tournament isn't on a 4 year time scale, it's more like 15-20 years. You can't force interest in people you have to let it grow organically. The comparative popularity of soccer in the US from 40 years ago vs. now is an apt comparison.

Hell, the NCAA Tournament wasn't near the juggernaut it is now 40 years ago.

[TDog]

Originally Posted by amsteel

I'm sure no one gave a **** about the 1934 World Cup, either, but 80 years later its the worlds premier sporting competition. People forget that the vision of the tournament isn't on a 4 year time scale, it's more like 15-20 years. You can't force interest in people you have to let it grow organically. The comparative popularity of soccer in the US from 40 years ago vs. now is an apt comparison.

Hell, the NCAA Tournament wasn't near the juggernaut it is now 40 years ago.

The World Cup is one of the reasons that soccer is the world's most popular sport, by far. It is also more popular in America than some people here than people will admit. And there are some Americans who fight the increasing popularity of soccer while denying it.

I would love to see a baseball equivalent, although it will never be as popular worldwide as soccer. Baseball faces challenges that soccer and even basketball doesn't because of the length and strain of the American professional baseball season. But I think anyone who cares about baseball should embrace the concept of a baseball World Cup.

[WhiteSox5187]

Originally Posted by TDog

The World Cup is one of the reasons that soccer is the world's most popular sport, by far. It is also more popular in America than some people here than people will admit. And there are some Americans who fight the increasing popularity of soccer while denying it.

I would love to see a baseball equivalent, although it will never be as popular worldwide as soccer. Baseball faces challenges that soccer and even basketball doesn't because of the length and strain of the American professional baseball season. But I think anyone who cares about baseball should embrace the concept of a baseball World Cup.

The length of the baseball season in the US just makes it hard to find a good time to play the tournament. It would be nice if they could maybe have the qualifying rounds in March and then the semi-finals and finals in the middle of June instead of an All Star Game. The logistics get a bit tricky though.

I do think that something like this can help the game grow in the long run. What was the popularity of basketball like outside (you might even be able to argue inside of) the US in the 1970s? The 1992 Dream Team helped grow the popularity of basketball to a whole new level internationally. If baseball had any idea of how to properly market the game, they could conceivably do something similar. But you would need to have the best players from every country involved. You couldn't have a guy like Justin Verlander or Mike Trout or Albert Pujols sit out.

[SephClone89]

Originally Posted by amsteel

I'm sure no one gave a **** about the 1934 World Cup, either, but 80 years later its the worlds premier sporting competition. People forget that the vision of the tournament isn't on a 4 year time scale, it's more like 15-20 years. You can't force interest in people you have to let it grow organically. The comparative popularity of soccer in the US from 40 years ago vs. now is an apt comparison.

Hell, the NCAA Tournament wasn't near the juggernaut it is now 40 years ago.

Originally Posted by TDog

The World Cup is one of the reasons that soccer is the world's most popular sport, by far. It is also more popular in America than some people here than people will admit. And there are some Americans who fight the increasing popularity of soccer while denying it.

I would love to see a baseball equivalent, although it will never be as popular worldwide as soccer. Baseball faces challenges that soccer and even basketball doesn't because of the length and strain of the American professional baseball season. But I think anyone who cares about baseball should embrace the concept of a baseball World Cup.

England declined to even compete in the first few World Cups because they felt it was beneath them. They thought it was assumed that because they invented the sport that they would be the best.

Sound familiar?

[WhiteSox5187]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

England declined to even compete in the first few World Cups because they felt it was beneath them. They thought it was assumed that because they invented the sport that they would be the best.

Sound familiar?

The difference is, that by 2006 I think a lot of people in America were wondering if the US was actually the best country at baseball anymore. Japan, the Dominican Republic and Cuba had all shown that they had a lot of quality players who could compete on the US' level. I think that right now the biggest problem the WBC has is that it feels like it's a manufactured event produced at the behest of Bud Selig and Major League Baseball.

[amsteel]

Originally Posted by WhiteSox5187

I think that right now the biggest problem the WBC has is that it feels like it's a manufactured event produced at the behest of Bud Selig and Major League Baseball.

The only difference is that the World Cup and Olympics are established commercial enterprises. The knee-jerk anti-commercialism response to the WBC is somewhat muted by the fact that every professional event everywhere is a commercial endeavor. Of course the WBC is a manufactured event, it's inherent to the nature of big time sporting events in 2013.

[Lip Man 1]

Seph:

If you say so. Sorry I don't buy soccer ever breaking into the big four in this country in popularity, television ratings, money or advertising.

It's is a niche sport.

Lip

[cub killer]

So did the 2 teams competing today burn any pitchers they'd need for their last 2 games? I assume they threw their bullpen dwellers out there so they can have all hands on deck for the important games.

[WhiteSox5187]

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

Seph:

If you say so. Sorry I don't buy soccer ever breaking into the big four in this country in popularity, television ratings, money or advertising.

It's is a niche sport.

Lip

The World Cup has wide appeal in the US and while the Premier League might draw the same number of viewers as the NHL, the NHL has made itself into a niche sport. I don't think that soccer, other than the World Cup, would ever approach the level of popularity of the NBA, MLB or NFL but it could conceivably surpass hockey in terms of popularity. That might be more of an indictment of the NHL than on the popularity of soccer.