World Baseball Classic: Do you care?

[David in Jackson]

Not me.  At least until someone gets hurt.

[Bench]

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Not me.  At least until someone gets hurt.

I care 'cause I like to watch baseball. I even watch the Caribbean Series on the spanish stations during the winter. I think it'll be a fun format, and an enjoyable tournament.

But are they really awarding Gold medals to the winner? I think that's lame. There should be an actual trophy, like a cup that represents the world or something along those lines.

[Tralfaz]

I like the idea of it. As to whether the reality of the competition lives up to my expectation is yet to be scene.  The first thing I don't like though, as previusly stated is the lack of a Cup.  All world competitions require a Cup to be hoisted at the end.  Medals are for the Olympics.  Combining national pride and sport is a wonderful thing, and since the Olympic crew axed the worlds greatest sport from it's schedule, this will suffice nicely.

[jasonact]

I'll be interested about as much as I'm interested in USA Baseball in general, which is a fair amount. I like to see international players that I don't get to see otherwise. The main appeal of USA Baseball, however, is that it's usually college and minor league players that I wouldn't otherwise get to see. This, of course, will be different with MLB players involved. Still, I'm looking forward to it. Also, I'm not exactly what you'd call patriotic, but I do enjoy cheering for my "hometown" USA team.

[T. J.]

I don't care one bit.  It interests me less than a split squad spring training game.  And they put this thing up against March Madness?!  I predict nobody is going to be watching this.  Who is televising it anyway?

[NeilT]

I'd like to go to PR in March.  It'd be fun to see.

[jasonact]

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I don't care one bit.  It interests me less than a split squad spring training game.  And they put this thing up against March Madness?!  I predict nobody is going to be watching this.  Who is televising it anyway?

I couldn't care less about basketball, pro or college. I pay almost no attention to either, so the fact that it's up against March Madness means nothing to me. If I cared about college basketball, though, I suppose I would pay less attention to the WBC, so I could see that being a reason to stay away.

[Fredia]

it may be meaningless but is it baseaball so of course i will watch..will help with pains of withdrawal.

[HurricaneDavid]

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And they put this thing up against March Madness?!  I predict nobody is going to be watching this.

I predict you don't know what you're talking about.  Only one day of the WBC is the same day as the NCAA Tournament, and it's a Saturday anyway so I predict the game times will not conflict.  Selig's not THAT stupid.

WBC Dates
Round 1: 3/3 - 3/5, 3/7 - 3/10
Round 2: 3/12 - 3/15
Semi-Finals: 3/18
Finals: 3/20

NCAA Second Round: 3/18

[T. J.]

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I predict you don't know what you're talking about.  Only one day of the WBC is the same day as the NCAA Tournament, and it's a Saturday anyway so I predict the game times will not conflict.  Selig's not THAT stupid.

WBC Dates
Round 1: 3/3 - 3/5, 3/7 - 3/10
Round 2: 3/12 - 3/15
Semi-Finals: 3/18
Finals: 3/20

NCAA Second Round: 3/18

What, you're using facts against me now?  Ok, I had read somewhere that it was going to be going on at the same time as the NCAA tournament, but I didn't bother to look at the actual dates.

I stand by my original prediction though.  I don't think anybody except the most hardcore baseball fans will be watching.  I just don't think you're going to be able to generate much interest for a baseball tournament in March when most casual sports fans are thinking about their office pool basketball brackets.

I hope it succeeds and blows my expectations away though.  Anything that promotes baseball is great, but I just don't see it happening with this.  I love baseball, I play baseball, and I love the Astros, but I doubt I'll be watching this.

[HurricaneDavid]

I agree that most casual fans in the US won't care, but I bet it's going to generate a lot of interest worldwide.

[jasonact]

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I agree that most casual fans in the US won't care, but I bet it's going to generate a lot of interest worldwide.

Absolutely. Plus, we have to remember that it will probably take a couple of go-arounds for this to generate much US interest. We already see most of the best pleyers in the world play every summer, and most fans will need to see how it unfolds before paying much attention. I think it could eventually be a big deal, even to casual baseball fans, but I agree that it probably won't get much attention this year. Give it some time, though. It could still be a big deal in the US in a few years.

[T. J.]

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I agree that most casual fans in the US won't care, but I bet it's going to generate a lot of interest worldwide.

Could be.  As a typical American, I didn't even think about that...  I imagine it will get a lot more attention in the Asian and Central/South American countries.  This is probably more about opening up those markets more than anything else.

I can't find anything on the WBC website about coverage for this event.  Who is going to be showing it anyway?  ESPN?  Anybody?

[jasonact]

Right. In fact, I thought MLB had openly stated that this was more of a way to generate interest in baseball internationally than anything else. Appeal in the US would be a huge benefit, but I don't think that was the primary purpose. I can't find that quote now, though.

[HurricaneDavid]

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I can't find anything on the WBC website about coverage for this event.  Who is going to be showing it anyway?  ESPN?  Anybody?

That will be announced sometime in the next couple weeks.  The rumors are that ESPN will carry it.

[Limey]

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But are they really awarding Gold medals to the winner? I think that's lame. There should be an actual trophy, like a cup that represents the world or something along those lines.

There should be a Cup, but in similar such events (the Soccer and Rugby World Cups, for example) the players get medals too.

[Limey]

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Not me.  At least until someone gets hurt.

I'll be interested until Team England is eliminated.

[MusicMan]

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Not me.  At least until someone gets hurt.

I'll be interested until Team England is eliminated.

Since you didn't remotely bring up the subject...

... how the hell is Mexico seeded ahead of USA in the World Cup?

[jasonact]

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Since you didn't remotely bring up the subject...

... how the hell is Mexico seeded ahead of USA in the World Cup?

Where have you seen seeding? Mexico and USA are in the same pool, but I haven't seen anything indicating that they are seeded higher than USA. Also, the pooling was done in part for competitive balance, but also because of geography.

Also, whether or not the winners get a gold medal, there will be a trophy:
 

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Q: Will there be one champion named or a medal format?
A: There will be one champion. The winner of the World Baseball Classic Final will receive a championship trophy.

 The Link

[T. J.]

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Since you didn't remotely bring up the subject...

... how the hell is Mexico seeded ahead of USA in the World Cup?

Where have you seen seeding? Mexico and USA are in the same pool, but I haven't seen anything indicating that they are seeded higher than USA. Also, the pooling was done in part for competitive balance, but also because of geography.

He was changing the subject to the "real" World Cup (soccer).  Mexico is seeded, USA is not, even though USA beat Mexico a couple months ago.  The seedings were done based on the results of the past two World Cups, plus current rankings.  Mexico had far more points than the USA, who ended up 9th in the results.  The rest of the draw is today (I think).

[jasonact]

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He was changing the subject to the "real" World Cup (soccer).  Mexico is seeded, USA is not, even though USA beat Mexico a couple months ago.  The seedings were done based on the results of the past two World Cups, plus current rankings.  Mexico had far more points than the USA, who ended up 9th in the results.  The rest of the draw is today (I think).

Ah yes. I understand now. That makes much more sense.

[Bench]

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The rest of the draw is today (I think).

The entire draw is today, unless it already happened since Europe is on funny time. Needless to say, I haven't checked yet. But the only thing we knew was the Brazil and Germany are in Groups A and F?, I can't remember which one.

[Bench]

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The rest of the draw is today (I think).

The entire draw is today, unless it already happened since Europe is on funny time. Needless to say, I haven't checked yet. But the only thing we knew was the Brazil and Germany are in Groups A and F?, I can't remember which one.

Nevermind, it's already happened. USA is in Group E with Italy, Ghana and Czech Republic. Hooray.

[Limey]

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Since you didn't remotely bring up the subject...

... how the hell is Mexico seeded ahead of USA in the World Cup?

Broader question:  How the hell is England seeded ahead of USA and Mexico in the World Cup?  (See also England ahead of...Czech Rep., Holland, Argentina, France and Spain).

FIFA Top 10 World Rankings as at Nov. 2005:
1 Brazil
2 Czech Republic
3 The Netherlands
4 Argentina
5 France
6 Spain
7 Mexico
8 USA
9 England
10 Portugal

[Limey]

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He was changing the subject to the "real" World Cup (soccer).  Mexico is seeded, USA is not, even though USA beat Mexico a couple months ago.  The seedings were done based on the results of the past two World Cups, plus current rankings.  Mexico had far more points than the USA, who ended up 9th in the results.  The rest of the draw is today (I think).

FIFA invented a seeding formula for this World Cup based on last 3 years' World rankings plus performance in last 2 World Cups.  It ranked England as #2, which is enough to show what complete bullshit this ranking system generated.

[Gizzmonic]

Will any of the WBC be televised?  I am in baseball withdrawal...I'll watch anything!

[jasonact]

I'm sure it will be. Rumor has it that ESPN is the most likely network, but I don't think anything's been finalized or formally announced.

[Arky Vaughan]

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Wish in one hand and shit in the other. See which one fills up first.

Finally got around to seeing that movie on DVD this weekend.  Brilliant.

I can't decide which is my favorite scene: candidates are when Billy Bob, the midget and the fat kid all get hit in the nads, or when Billy Bob is beating the crap out of the skater kid.

[Tralfaz]

In the "real" World Cup a player declares his nationality, I think, on either where he is from, or the country his parents or grandparents are from. So in the WBC, what are the rules that make Mike Gallo Italian?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

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In the "real" World Cup a player declares his nationality, I think, on either where he is from, or the country his parents or grandparents are from. So in the WBC, what are the rules that make Mike Gallo Italian?

From: The Link

PLAYERS - ELIGIBILITY/SELECTION/ROSTERS

Q: Who is eligible to play in the World Baseball Classic?
A: The following criteria will govern player eligibility in the World Baseball Classic:

? The player is a citizen of the nation the team represents, as evidenced by a valid passport the player holds as of January 15, 2006; or
? The player is a permanent legal resident of the nation or territory the team represents, as evidenced by documentation satisfactory to World Baseball Classic Inc. and the IBAF; or
? The player was born in the nation or territory the team represents, as evidenced by a birth certificate or its equivalent; or
? The player has one parent who is, or if deceased was, a citizen of the nation the team represents, as evidenced by a passport or other documentation satisfactory to World Baseball Classic Inc. and the IBAF; or
? The player has one parent who was born in the nation or territory the team represents, as evidenced by a birth certificate or its equivalent.

------------

My guess is one of Gallo's parents was born in Italy, though I couldn't find any links to validate that. I did discover that Long Beach State's mascot is the Dirtbags, which I never realized but think is kind of funny.

[Limey]

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I can't decide which is my favorite scene: candidates are when Billy Bob, the midget and the fat kid all get hit in the nads, or when Billy Bob is beating the crap out of the skater kid.

Willie: You know, I think I've turned a corner.

Marcus: Yeah? You fucking petites now?

Willie: No, I'm not talking about that. I beat the shit out of some kids today. But it was for a purpose. It made me feel good about myself. It was like I did something constructive with my life or something, I dunno, like I accomplished something.

Marcus: You need many years of therapy. Many, many, many fuckin' years of therapy.

[jasonact]

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My guess is one of Gallo's parents was born in Italy, though I couldn't find any links to validate that. I did discover that Long Beach State's mascot is the Dirtbags, which I never realized but think is kind of funny.

Actually, they're the 49ers. Dirtbags is an unofficial nickname reserved just for the baseball team.

[Limey]

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Finally got around to seeing that movie on DVD this weekend.  Brilliant.

BTW, it's actually a stealth Coen Brothers movie.  They produced it, but they also pretty much wrote the whole thing although aren't credited as writers.

[David in Jackson]

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Since you didn't remotely bring up the subject...

... how the hell is Mexico seeded ahead of USA in the World Cup?

Broader question:  How the hell is England seeded ahead of USA and Mexico in the World Cup?  (See also England ahead of...Czech Rep., Holland, Argentina, France and Spain).

FIFA Top 10 World Rankings as at Nov. 2005:
1 Brazil
2 Czech Republic
3 The Netherlands
4 Argentina
5 France
6 Spain
7 Mexico
8 USA
9 England
10 Portugal

Where are the Irish?  I always pull for Ireland.

[Limey]

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Where are the Irish?  I always pull for Ireland.

The Republice of Ireland failed to qualify, have fallen sharply down the World rankings and have fired their coach.

Northern Ireland also failed to qualify, no surprise for a team ranked below 100, but they did beat England during their otherwise unsuccessful qualifying campaign.

[T. J.]

Cuba can't come.  The Link

Frickin' commies.

[Limey]

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Cuba can't come.  The Link

Frickin' commies.

Very short-sighted of MLB.  If Cuba was allowed to send a team, the Yankees could sign them all before anyone else gets a look in.

[Fredia]

I am sure there are other countries involved that have questionable practices. Baseball and Politics... dont they know it would be a chance to wave the flag, for mom american and apple pie...