World Baseball Classic to be played March '06

[Jeff Olsen]

Anyone else hear about this?

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...d.php?t=316184
MLB and the MLBPA have let it slip that they've reached all the necessary agreements for the "World Baseball Classic" to be played next March during Spring Training.

16 teams in 4 pools, with one pool being played in Asia. Baseball America is projecting the pools as:

Pool A: Japan, S. Korea, Taiwan, China
Pool B: Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama, Italy
Pool C: United States, Canada, Mexico, S. Africa
Pool D: Australia, Venezuela, Netherlands, Dominican Republic

[cracker jack]

I think it would be pretty cool if this could some how be incorperated into baseball mogul. Kinda like the allstar game just let it pick players and put them onto teams and then show th results. Maybe you can even chose to manage the team or something.

[robinhoodnik]

This sounds really good, but I can't help wondering how mlb and the mlbpa will screw it up.

[SFSteveG]

Well here's how I see it;
Japan
S. Korea
Puerto Rico
Cuba
United States
Canada/Mexico
Venezuela
Dominican Republic

Japan
United States
Venezuela
Dominican Republic

Then it kinda gets fuzzy but I say Japan's out and it's a good game and a close call for the other matchup and the Championship.

[anaveragecow]

im not sure who put this together but how are they going to protect the Major League teams who have their players participating. Does the team giving the player a paycheck get any say in if they play? How are the Angels going to feel if Vlad got hurt and was out for the year? Plus how are MLB managers going to prevent over use of players, especially pitchers?

Great idea having a world cup, but someone has to solve the minor problems involved.

[robinhoodnik]

I'd think that there are a few respected managers who could be trusted with the players best interests. I hate to say it, but Torre comes to mind and Francona seems to be better at handling players since about last june, also Socia.

[anaveragecow]

i dont doubt managers, but players might not be in the best shape that early in spring. pitchers are hardly going to throw complete games that soon in the offseason. Also players are going to want to win for their country, to give pride to their country, but what if Johan Santana is pitching and getting worn out, but his team needs him for 1 or 2 more innings, or on short days rest, and then he ends up hurting his arm. I dont think the Twins would be very happy.
Players know their bodies, but how far would they go to bring pride to their country?

[mooseman74]

It's not like baseball is that tough a sport....not like having a world cup of hockey! The injury risks are a lot less. I bet if they have this every 4 years then the players that have a good chance of playing for their respective teams will play more winter ball that fall in order to stay in game shape....if they're that committed to winning for their country.

[robinhoodnik]

I'd bet money that a lot of "A" list American stars would bow out citing a whole host of reasons. They probably just wouldn't want to cut thier vacations short and really who could blame them? I wonder if Pedro would show up as a player?

[SFSteveG]

How about a month before the games start the World team plays a series of "winter training" games with guys like Arizona Fall leaguers or volunteers who want to start early. That way they get practice as a team and these young guys get experience with All-Stars (especially experience losing wich a lot of these guys haven't done since little league)

[anaveragecow]

thats a good idea but still not a total solution. someone is bound to get hurt, even if the injuries are a lot less likely, and the team signing the paycheck would be pretty upset. plus Mariano Rivera, Gary Sheffeild, Randy Johnson, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and other Yankees (and other teams players) would suddenly come down with a sprained thumb or a broken toe like robin said. Maybe they might even iron their chest (i.e. John Smoltz) to get out of playing.

[robinhoodnik]

I think that the best time would be after the World Series. Everybody is still in pretty good shape, there is less stress after the season is over, and it would be a great chance for free agents to show thier stuff one last time, thereby motivating some to do well and releasing many teams from contractual obligations to the same. Injured players would get the opportunity to prove themselves healthy against top notch competition.(Nomar and Bonds come to mind here.)

[robinhoodnik]

Or maybe instead of the All Star game? I'd really try to watch that and the injury thing I am sure is already worked out in that situation, keep it as it is.

[SFSteveG]

Originally posted by robinhoodnik
Or maybe instead of the All Star game? I'd really try to watch that and the injury thing I am sure is already worked out in that situation, keep it as it is.

I don't think Bud would want to give up the All-Star hype. Especially after making id decide WS home field advantage. Plus, the whole event would probably take almost 2 weeks at the least.

[anaveragecow]

I agree, Bud wont want to give up an All-Star game. I honestly dont feel like there is a "right" for this. Its a great idea, very interesting and fun, but it has a bad reality.