World Baseball Classic?

[BSN07]

Japan is hitting bombs left and right vs Netherlands....

[italstallianion]

I don't care who wins USA/Canada but I wanna see another fight. Fight for your countries!!!

[rjortiz]

Great game going on. Need to tack on some insurance runs.

[SouthieFanatic]

I thought it was a great game. Larry Bowa was losing it on the bench at certain times though lol. I like Maddux being there as well. It's a young rotation for the most part, so his expertise will most definitely be handy. DR and PR coming up for the US though. They'll need some luck

[Station 13]

Exciting game today.

[Station 13]

Team Canada first base coach Larry Walker took it upon himself to restrain Aceves.

 

“I had ahold of him, and I thought I saw Satan in his eyes,” Walker told reporters.

 

lmao

[Northern Star]

Japan is hitting bombs left and right vs Netherlands....

 

I hope Japan wins the whole thing. Anything to turn people off even more and get this ******** canceled is fine by me.

[Station 13]

I hope Japan wins the whole thing. Anything to turn people off even more and get this ******** canceled is fine by me.

 

Nobody is forcing you to watch.

[SouthieFanatic]

Again, another person who finds it to be 100% pointless. I agree, it would be nice if the very best Americans were in this thing, but I still take pride in Americans competing for their country. The average baseball fan may find it to be meaningless, but these players seem to really be buying in. Ex - Mexico v Canada brawl, they don't do things like that cause they DONT take the tournament seriously

[Jasonbay44]

I think the players definitely care and want to win. I just cant seem to get interested in this at all.. I don't know why.

[Palodios]

The problem is that the entire thing is a paradox.

 

As a player, you either care about winning, and overdo it, and potentially hurt yourself because you're working too hard early in the spring, or don't overdo it, but don't give it your all for your country.

[Dirt Schilling]

Yessss! The Netherlands beat Cuba for the fifth time in a row. This was an Epic game that was decided in the bottom of the ninth. On to the final four now. I am hoping for a semi final against the Dominican Republic. I understand this tourney is not every Americans cup of tea but as a Dutchman I really love it. And also Nice to see Xander Bogarts doing well in clutch situations although is batting average is poor.

[Northern Star]

Nobody is forcing you to watch.

 

I can't watch even if I wanted to...I don't have cable.

 

As other people are saying this thing is either ill-conceived, ill-timed, or both. So many top players have declined to play, the games are on an obscure cable channel... I don't often agree with Jeff Passan but he was right today in criticizing Torre for pandering to his players' clubs instead of managing to win. Stanton benched for Victorino? Is this real life?

 

I'd be all for this contest if these issues were properly dealt with, except they should just have integrated this format into the existing World Cup and called it as such.

[SouthieFanatic]

They just had DR V PR on ESPN the other day. And no it wasn't deportes, they had it on American ESPN. It apparently got great ratings too despite it being in Spanish. Maybe that means next time around it'll be televised more widely

[italstallianion]

I think it would be even better if they got one of those fast-talking soccer announcers for the baseball game. I can't wait for HR's in that game. GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BSN07]

Americans find it pointless. The rest of the world likes it and it's helping increase popularity for the sport. Just in the 7 years I've been in the Netherlands, I've seen a huge increase in Baseball popularity on a National scale. When I first got here, the Dutch national team was basically the red headed step child of a Soccer family. Now the team is all over the news and people are wearing their colors in support of the team. Not saying it's all because of the WBC, but the National tournament stage has helped a lot.

[User Name]

A comeback for the ages from the Dominicans today.

[Northern Star]

Americans find it pointless. The rest of the world likes it and it's helping increase popularity for the sport. Just in the 7 years I've been in the Netherlands, I've seen a huge increase in Baseball popularity on a National scale. When I first got here, the Dutch national team was basically the red headed step child of a Soccer family. Now the team is all over the news and people are wearing their colors in support of the team. Not saying it's all because of the WBC, but the National tournament stage has helped a lot.

 

Surely only because they've been successful? If they went out 0-3, I doubt so many people would be enthused. Time will tell if that interest level can be sustained, even if they win the tournament.

[jete02fan]

while it was uneventful, Cano got spiked vs Italy...yeah, that's all the Yanks need now :-(

[BSN07]

Surely only because they've been successful? If they went out 0-3, I doubt so many people would be enthused. Time will tell if that interest level can be sustained, even if they win the tournament.

 

No not all because of the success this year. It's grown steadily since I've been here and now that they are doing pretty good it's like almost Dutch National Soccer team coverage. And that is saying something.

 

Again I get why Americans aren't into it. But I don't believe the tournament was designed to attract Americans.

[User Name]

Campfighter, we get it: You don't like the Classic.

[VA Sox Fan]

Campfighter, we get it: You don't like the Classic.

 

Yeah, seriously dude. People like what they like. Let it go man......

[Station 13]

Ouch, Italy let two game slipped away, otherwise they would've punch their tickets to San Fran for the semi finals. Once again, the closer who is paid millions cannot help a team in the 7-8th when the life is on the line.

[Station 13]

Wow USA completely were inept last night. They could not capitalized on a pitcher that wanted to hand it to them on a silver platter. After loading the bases, team USA bats went silent after. They had terrible AB when a few DR relievers that were known to walk the park but they still hack away after being ahead in the count. And why is Willie Bloomquist starting 3B over Ben Zobrist if Wright is injured?

[a700hitter]

Ouch, Italy let two game slipped away, otherwise they would've punch their tickets to San Fran for the semi finals. Once again, the closer who is paid millions cannot help a team in the 7-8th when the life is on the line.

The whole WBC is ridiculous. How many guys on the Italian team were born in Italy or have played for the Italian league? I asked my brother what Piazza's connection with Italy was beyond his heritage. He was born and raised in the USA in PA I think. My brother's answer was that he ate a slice of pizza.

[User Name]

Wow USA completely were inept last night. They could not capitalized on a pitcher that wanted to hand it to them on a silver platter. After loading the bases, team USA bats went silent after. They had terrible AB when a few DR relievers that were known to walk the park but they still hack away after being ahead in the count. And why is Willie Bloomquist starting 3B over Ben Zobrist if Wright is injured?

 

So it's not that the DR pitchers executed when need be, played with more heart, and the offense overcame the obvious blunders of the umpiring crew (the 1-1 called strike to Aybar will go down in infamy). The US just gave them the game. Right.

 

What a s***** loser.

 

For your viewing pleasure:

 

http://d3fsqtc6sy2z27.cloudfront.net/uploads/d438cef038678d448eaca4f69236f2ac_large

[VA Sox Fan]

It's meaningless tournament that disrupts spring training.

 

The tournament has no point. The World's best players are not there so who cares.

 

The whole WBC is ridiculous. How many guys on the Italian team were born in Italy or have played for the Italian league? I asked my brother what Piazza's connection with Italy was beyond his heritage. He was born and raised in the USA in PA I think. My brother's answer was that he ate a slice of pizza.

 

We got it the first two posts. It is very clear how you feel. Others are enjoying the WBC.

[VA Sox Fan]

So it's not that the DR pitchers executed when need be, played with more heart, and the offense overcame the obvious blunders of the umpiring crew (the 1-1 called strike to Aybar will go down in infamy). The US just gave them the game. Right.

 

What a s***** loser.

 

For your viewing pleasure:

 

http://d3fsqtc6sy2z27.cloudfront.net/uploads/d438cef038678d448eaca4f69236f2ac_large

 

What a horrible call. Couldn't believe it when I saw it live. Nice win by the D.R. Are they the only undefeated team?

[SouthieFanatic]

Netherlands is bringing in top prospect Jurickson Profar for the finals. The top of their lineup is just about as good as any in this tournament. Anybody but Japan this time around. I don't understand how they've beaten us in the past along with other powers like DR, Cuba, PR, etc

[Station 13]

USA hitters are just guessing.