World Baseball Classic

by **jerseyhoya** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 17:18:00

So this puppy started yesterday with Japan beating China. Then Korea beat Taiwan or something. More importantly, America (Fuck Yeah!) starts tomorrow, playing Canada (America North) at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. 2 PM, ESPN. If we win tomorrow, our game is scheduled for 8 PM Sunday night, and it too will be on ESPN, probably against Venezuela.

While it won't be the end of the world if we are eliminated early, it would be nice to see America do well, especially with Jimmy and Shane on the squad. It'll also be cool to have competitive baseball on the television again.

Schedule

Pool C USA, Canada, Venezuela, Italy
Sat., Mar. 7 Canada vs. United States 2:00pm ESPN, ESPN Deportes MLB.TV
Sat., Mar. 7 Italy vs. Venezuela 8:00pm MLBN, ESPN Deportes MLB.TV
Sun., Mar. 8 Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner 8:00pm ESPN, ESPN Deportes MLB.TV
Mon., Mar. 9 Game 2 Loser vs. Game 1 Loser 6:30pm MLBN, ESPN Deportes MLB.TV
Tue., Mar. 10 Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser 5:00pm ESPN2, ESPN Deportes MLB.TV
Wed., Mar. 11 Game 5 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner 6:30pm MLBN, ESPN Deportes MLB.TV

by **Rococo4** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 17:34:48

too much espn deportes coverage if you ask me

by **Polar Bear Phan** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 17:50:09

Phillies prospects Brad Harman, Joel Naughton, and Drew Naylor (a true prospect) are playing for Australia, and I really got a kick out of seeing them on Wednesday night against the Mariners. Sorta WFC Chris Snelling and 2008 IronPig Travis Blackley also played in the game.

by **SideshowBob** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 17:52:11

Rococo4 wrote:too much espn deportes coverage if you ask me

:?: The games are on either ESPN/ESPN2 or MLB Network in English in addition to ESPN Deportes.

As for the WBC, I love international competitions and have taped the games so far, but I doubt I'll watch much of them. I just can't get into watching taped games, especialyl once I know the result (unless I have a vested interest in an involved team, which I don't).

The changes to how the groups are handled -- with double elimination -- is a massive improvement over the last edition. I think the tournament will go well. I'd like tos ee them progress and create qualification for the next round (like they do with the FIFA World Cup) rather than just pikcing teams. Although most, if not all, of the involved teams would likely qualify, it would be nice to give a shot to some other countries that are members of the International Baseball Federation. There are apparently 112 member countries.

I'd also like to see the groups set up by a draw rather than simply assigned, certainly with seeding as appropriate. I don't like the "have all the Asian teams in one group" idea. Kinda boring. Spread it around.

Website · by **Wolfgang622** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 19:11:04

No matter how much MLB tells me I should, I just plain don't care.

by **jerseyhoya** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 19:28:22

That's nice.

by **cartersDad26** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 21:04:31

mozartpc27 wrote:No matter how much MLB tells me I should, I just plain don't care.

agreed. i'm just glad none of our key pitchers (who aren't suspended) is in this thing. what manager or team would want their pitchers to participate in this?

by **threecount** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 21:09:07

Rococo4 wrote:too much espn deportes coverage if you ask me

...or as I like to call it...ESPN OCHO!

Website · by **Wolfgang622** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 23:33:25

I would imagine this is going to be a marketing disaster, too, in this economy. How many tickets could they have possibly sold to this thing in the US/Canada?

by **my cousin mose** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 23:36:13

it's just nice to have live baseball so soon, IMO.

plus it was pretty cool to have a game on in the background as i got ready for work this morning

by **jerseyhoya** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 23:36:13

I'd pay $50 to go see Team USA.

by **jerseyhoya** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 23:38:25

China vs. Taiwan on ESPN2 getting underway here.

Let's go democracy. Go Taiwan.

by **cartersDad26** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 00:42:02

jerseyhoya wrote:China vs. Taiwan on ESPN2 getting underway here.

Let's go democracy. Go Taiwan.

tried to watch - kinda like watching college ball, just can't get into it. some nice plays but some just awful sloppy stuff too. the stands are absolutely empty.

by **jerseyhoya** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 00:45:29

Not a tremendously large Chinese expat community in Tokyo. Who knew? Lol Rape of Nanking.

It's actually been a pretty good game. Although the Taiwanese offense is more toothless than Herbert from Family Guy.

by **VFB** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 01:00:48

we gotta get ray chang over here.

rube?

by **jerseyhoya** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 01:03:12

VFB wrote:we gotta get ray chang over here.

rube?

Dude's a Pirate.

by **VFB** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 01:04:23

way to get outsmarted by pittsburgh, gillick

by 1 » Sat Mar 07, 2009 01:11:39

is ill kim playing?

by **jerseyhoya** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 01:16:42

Democracy loves base hits.

3-1 Commies. Come on, let's go Taiwan.

Terrible first pitch swinging, you'd think it was Feliz.

by **VFB** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 02:09:34

ray chang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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World Baseball Classic

World Baseball Classic