Baseball Pool
International Baseball – the World Baseball Classic Comes This March
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament that is sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and showcases the best players in the world representing their home countries and territories. It started in March of 2006 when 486 players with 235 of them coming from teams in Major League Baseball representing 16 teams from across the globe entered the event. Fans from 48 states and 15 countries attended the stadiums to watch the games while millions more watched on TV ensuring that the tournament was a success.
The Japanese team which was bannered by the likes of Japanese stars and now MLB stars Suzuki Ichiro of the Seattle Mariners and Daisuke Matzusaka of the Boston Red Sox was crowned the first ever World Baseball Classic champions as they beat Cuba 10-6 during the inaugural staging of the event in 2006. This year, the tournament starts on the 5th of March up to the 23rd and again shall feature 16 baseball playing nations across the globe. The tournament shall be held every four years afterwards with plans to expand the number of participating teams in 2013. Four different cities shall host the pool play which are Tokyo, Mexico City, San Juan and Toronto.
Teams participating in the event are the same teams which were entered in the inaugural season. These are Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico, South Africa, United States and Venezuela. Team Japan are out to defend their title and win the crown once again. And the team’s roster got a boost when its star outfielder Ichiro agreed to return to the side. He could have easily refused to go back as he was included in the championship winning team but he wanted to return and win the classic all over again. With one of its stars having such a mindset, Team Japan is upbeat that the other stars shall follow.
The tournament was also a launching pad for one of the Japanese pitchers. Matzusaka was still an unknown name in the baseball world outside his native country. But when he put up a performance worthy of a Most Valuable Player Award as he pitched to defeat Cuba, he was immediately noticed by scouts. Nine months later, he signed a six year contract with the Boston Red Sox after fierce competition among the top MLB teams for his services. He has since posted a record of 33-15 in the two seasons he has played for the Red Sox. He can be a factor once again in Team Japan’s bid for back to back titles.
No roster spots have been filled officially, although several players have expressed their desire to join the team. Matzusaka for one, has not made a formal commitment yet but has confirmed to Japanese reporters numerous times that he wants to participate again. A notable absentee in Team Japan’s line up is Hideki Matsui who is still undergoing rehabilitation for his knee injuries.
Find the live baseball scores at ScoresPro.com/baseball/
About the Author
Peri Witny is an author of Sports articles.
Baseball Livescore by ScoresPro.com
Hail Storm Oklahoma City
|
|
NEW! MLB Chicago White Sox Wrigley Field Inflatable Baseball Bat Pool Toy Silver $14.99 |
|
|
2 POST TROPHY-GOLF-BEAUTY-POOL-SOCCER-BASEBALL-FOOTBALL $17.50 |
|
|
1994 Bend Rockies Fleer ProCards #3591 Matt Pool $1.99 |
|
|
Antique Clay Baseball Billiard/Pool Ball Set-NO RESERVE $132.50 |
|
|
1936 AD Baseball Gloves Walter Johnson Nick Cullop Harlan Pool Adolfo Luque $14.99 |
|
|
MLB Licensed Baltimore ORIOLES Baseball Billiard Pool Cue Ball ~ NEW ! $24.95 |
|
|
Gymboree boy Pool Shark shirt and baseball cap hat size 4 NWT $1.04 |
|
|
3 Bags of Hand Conditioner for $4.98 Bowling Tennis Pool Golf Darts Baseball $4.98 |
|
|
NEW BLACK & RED POOL EIGHT BALL BASEBALL CAP/HAT $7.99 |
|
|
Grip Rite Dri-Rite Rosin Bag Bowling Pool Dart Baseball $2.00 |
|
|
Brunswick Rosin Bags NIB! Bowling Pool Darts Baseball $3.00 |
|
|
1910 WILLIE HOPPE T218 MECCA CIGARETTES CARD #82 BILLIARDS,POOL BGS ORIGINAL $0.99 |
|
|
6 POOL HALL JUNKIE EMBROIDERED BASEBALL CAPS bulk hats ball hat billards new $23.74 |
|
|
2 POOL HALL JUNKIE EMBROIDERED BASEBALL CAPS billiards $9.49 |
|
|
* VINTAGE ELECTRONIC GAMES LOT OF 2 BANK SHOT POOL GAME & TALKING 80′s BASEBALL $3.99 |
|
|
3 inflatable baseball bats large 40″ size super bat black-red-white fun pool toy $10.50 |
|
|
inflatable black baseball bat large 40″ size super bat fun pool toy $5.75 |
|
|
inflatable red baseball bat large 40″ size super bat fun pool toy $5.75 |
|
|
inflatable white baseball bat large 40″ size super bat fun pool toy $5.75 |
|
|
3 Rosin Bags Bowling, Pool, Cue Baseball Grip Tennis $5.95 |
|
|
3 Bags Rosin Bag Bowling, Pool, Baseball, Tennis, Grip $5.95 |
|
|
3 Rosin Bags Grip Baseball Pool Bowling FREE SHIPPING $5.95 |
|
|
6 Rosin Bags Grip Baseball Pool Bowling FREE SHIPPING $9.49 |
|
|
POOL HALL JUNKIE EMBROIDERED BASEBALL CAP billiards $0.99 |
|
|
Bandai Golf,Kings of the Beach,Pool,MVP Baseball,Rollerball COMBO (Nintendo NES) $11.96 |
|
|
$2.89 Rosin Bag by High Skore – Pool, Bowling, Baseball, Tennis, FREE SHIPPING $2.89 |
|
|
$2.89 Rosin Bag Bowling, Pool, Baseball, Golf, Tennis, Cue Grip Powder Chalk $2.89 |
|
|
$2.89 Rosin Bag Bowling, Pool, Baseball, Tennis, Golf Cue Stick Powder Chalk $2.89 |
|
|
$2.89 Rosin Bag Bowling, Pool, Baseball, Tennis, Grip, Golf, Raquet, Softball $2.89 |
|
|
$2.89 Rosin Bag Bowling, Pool, Baseball, Tennis, Golf, Darts, Raquet, Soft Ball $2.89 |
|
|
1 POOL HALL JUNKIE BASEBALL CAPS billards cap mens hat $6.00 |
|
|
Hair Hats, Golf,Tennis, Baseball, Football, by the Pool wear them anyplace, cool $15.99 |
|
|
NY Mets MLB Billiards Ball Pool Baseball Collector Series Set – Retired Print $125.00 |
|
|
MLB POOL LINER DISC – In Ground & Above Ground Swimming Baseball Decorative Kit $299.99 |
|
|
MLB POOL LINER DISC – In Ground & Above Ground Swimming Baseball Decorative Kit $299.99 |
|
|
MLB POOL LINER DISC – In Ground & Above Ground Swimming Baseball Decorative Kit $299.99 |
|
|
MLB POOL LINER DISC – In Ground & Above Ground Swimming Baseball Decorative Kit $299.99 |
|
|
MLB POOL LINER DISC – In Ground & Above Ground Swimming Baseball Decorative Kit $299.99 |
|
|
MLB POOL LINER DISC – In Ground & Above Ground Swimming Baseball Decorative Kit $299.99 |