World Baseball Classic: Who will represent Canada?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by CrusaderPi

I really, really want the WBC to work. But, does anyone care about this?

Japan wins tonight in a really entertaining game. At least I think it was entertaining. I half watched it - in mute.

It was very entertaining! The WBC will work one day, just takes time.

Koreans will be regretting their decision to challenge Ichiro!

[moon]

Originally Posted by CrusaderPi

I really, really want the WBC to work. But, does anyone care about this?

Japan wins tonight in a really entertaining game. At least I think it was entertaining. I half watched it - in mute.

Its pretty tough when the top players don't go (and with the timing/lack of importance/stupid set-up does anyone blame them) for the tournament to get taken seriously.

I guess if the best players did go the importance would be increased but as it is now if a tournament is set-up with the premise that the winner is the "World Champion" and yet everyone knows beforehand that the results mean nothing why should anyone care?

Was there even one of the top 10 players in the game today at the tournament?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by moon

Its pretty tough when the top players don't go (and with the timing/lack of importance/stupid set-up does anyone blame them) for the tournament to get taken seriously.

I guess if the best players did go the importance would be increased but as it is now if a tournament is set-up with the premise that the winner is the "World Champion" and yet everyone knows beforehand that the results mean nothing why should anyone care?

Was there even one of the top 10 players in the game today at the tournament?

Yes. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICHIRO!!!

Ortiz, Cabrera, K-Rod.
The AL MVP Pedroia. The NL MVP Jimmy Rollins.

Plenty of good players. Not sure when else they can have this tournament since the baseball season is incredibly long. It's only once every 4 years from now on. If the US doesn't care, then they don't care.. one day maybe the tournament will be held somewhere else!

[moon]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Yes. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICHIRO!!!

Ortiz, Cabrera, K-Rod.
The AL MVP Pedroia. The NL MVP Jimmy Rollins.

Plenty of good players. Not sure when else they can have this tournament since the baseball season is incredibly long. It's only once every 4 years from now on. If the US doesn't care, then they don't care.. one day maybe the tournament will be held somewhere else!

With there seasons last year Ortiz and Cabrera are borderline top 10 guys and I am not sure Rollins or Pedroira are or were top 10 guys depsite one year winning the MVP. And Ichiro is definitely not top 10.

I don't think it is just the States that don't care, Canada didn't have its top guys either, Dominican was missing guys, Venezuela didn't have Santana etc.

This might be the "best" time but that doesn't mean that it is a good time.

There are people who still like the World Championships of Hockey but they will never be "big time" because they don't have the best players and they don't determine the best team.

People like to watch the best which is why NHL is more popular than WHL, MLB more popular than AAA etc. and with inferior talent the WBC and WHC are always going to be second rate tournaments.

[GirlySports]

True true.

It takes time. This is very new. Other sports have had decades of international play. The problem is the MLB teams still don't buy into it and won't release players whereas the Japanese and Korean leagues released everyone for international pride.

[moon]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

True true.

It takes time. This is very new. Other sports have had decades of international play. The problem is the MLB teams still don't buy into it and won't release players whereas the Japanese and Korean leagues released everyone for international pride.

I agree.

One thing they said on PTI that may be true is that the Americans haven't lost enough to care yet either.

They still have plenty of evidence to point to that they are the best. Perhaps a few more losses or some more foreign stars starting to win the awards a lot more might entice them to actually care.

With the Americans not caring it makes it easier for everyone to skip it, in my view.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by moon

I agree.

One thing they said on PTI that may be true is that the Americans haven't lost enough to care yet either.

They still have plenty of evidence to point to that they are the best. Perhaps a few more losses or some more foreign stars starting to win the awards a lot more might entice them to actually care.

With the Americans not caring it makes it easier for everyone to skip it, in my view.

That's fine. I would not mind a Japan-Korea final every four years

[CrusaderPi]

I love the style the Asian teams play. Small ball and speed. I'd just like to see Canada not choke in an international tournament.

[flip]

If the rest of the world doesn't clue in and let the US win next time this tourney won't last long. The US could give a crap about anything that they don't win at frequently.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by flip

If the rest of the world doesn't clue in and let the US win next time this tourney won't last long. The US could give a crap about anything that they don't win at frequently.

The US doesn't in at anything frequently.

[dionfan]

Originally Posted by CrusaderPi

I love the style the Asian teams play. Small ball and speed. I'd just like to see Canada not choke in an international tournament.

Thats so true, way different then the American-style to out-homer your opponent.

I find it interesting how the Japanese have a very distinct style of swinging the bat. When you watch Ichiro swing the bat with the Mariners, its crazy to think that the vast majority of japanese players swing that exact same way. The importance is just getting a base hit and getting a quick step out of the batters box, not bashing it over the fence.