Baseball Classic March 7th

[Kev]

Okay ball fans whats the scoop with this new baseball tournament that starts March 7th?

Is this suppose to be the new World Cup of Baseball like the World Cup Hockey or World Cup Soccer?

Are these major league players or a bunch of up and coming double A or triple A players?

If these are major league players what hope does Canada have against the likes of the USA, Domincan Republic, or Cuba?

Any thoughts?

 

[dexi]

My thoughts are that a bunch of players not yet even in spring training form are going to put all the effort into it that hockey players put into the all star game. Mostly the pitching just won't be ready to really make it what it could be.

World Cup? No way. Players play their guts and hearts out for that prize, the WBC won't generate that kind of passion. Players are risking injury right at the outset of a long season.

Baseball is easily my favourite sport, but they botched this. It should have been in November. When they have that MLB tour of Japan, that's when they should have played this. Players would play like they mean it. Many of them would be in top form then and injuries aren't as risky or as costly at that time of the year.

 

[BYSON]

I agree this should be in november and than the best will play, to many players are not going to play cause they owe it to there pro teams to be ready for the major season, Than canada has guys like gagne and demster who are both had serious arm surgury done and really only have so many major league pitches left in there arm its to risky in this part of there careers but i will be watching anyways canada should still do well

 

[Azcanuck]

Just as an FYI:

Street & Smith's Fantasy Baseball magazine just came out and they have a Canadian, Jason Bay, rated as the #1 outfielder, just ahead of Vlad Guerrero.
Canada's problem at the WBC will be lack of depth.

 

[SFMIKE]

this tournament is huge

In some parts of the world, it is bigger than the Olympics: Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba (if they show up), Puerto Rico, Japan, Korea.

The idea is a little less popular in the US and Canada. There are American players who are tryin to get on teams for countries they have never been to. Imagine Mike Piazza playing for Italy, or Mark Mulder playing for tne Netherlands. The bad news for Canada is that the best in all of Canada will not be playing. That is good news for my team as I would prefer to see Rich Harden be ready to go for the regular season. As it is slated now, he will pitch the second game of the season against the Yankees in Oakland. Wonder where I shall be that night?