Link of the Week (or Whenever): World Baseball Classic

March 4th, 2009

March 04, 2009 — Let the games begin! The World Baseball Classic games, that is.

Round 1 begins on March 05, a double-elimination pool of four teams each.  Pool A will be played in Tokyo, Japan; Pool B in Mexico City; Mexico, Pool C in Toronto, Canada; and Pool D in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Round 2 begins on March 14, in San Diego and Miami. The semifinals begin on March 21, in Los Angeles. And the championship game is on March 23, again in Los Angeles.

I have mixed feelings about the World Baseball Classic. I love that it’s played in the off-season, which allows premiere MLB ballplayers to compete in a truly international tournament. I hate that it’s played in the off-season, which adds perhaps 14 more games to an already grueling year of 162 regular-season games and up to 19 post-season games.

What’s fan to do? Cheer for the players who decide to represent their countries? Empathize with the players who decide to stick with Spring Training? Sigh! Unfortunately, the MLB.TV package for $19.99 does not include live broadcasts of the semifinal and final games—quite a disappointment compared to the free, live  internet broadcasts offered by NBC during  last summer’s Beijing Olympic baseball tournament.

At any rate, I thought it would be fun to note which Angels’ players have decided to participate. Bye for now!

Entry Filed under: Major League Baseball,Minor Leagues,World Baseball Classic