The World Baseball Classic: Is it Worth Watching?

If you're a baseball fan, you've heard about the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Starting March 3rd through March 20th, the World Baseball Classic goes beyond the Major Leagues of Baseball, and includes the best players from 16 of the best baseball playing nations to compete in a play-off like system of two rounds, semi-finals, and a final game for the two winning teams on March 20th.

Very similar to the Olympics or World Cup, players will play for their native country. So, many players Americans are familiar with in the Major Leagues will be playing for their native countries rather than for the United States. Not only will the teams be made of a variety of nations, the games will also be played in venues across the world. The United States, Puerto Rico, and Japan will all host many of the 39 games that will be played over the course of 17 days.

Many fans of the Major Leagues and many Americans may be wondering if the World Baseball Classic is really worth watching. After all, the United States' Major Leagues will be starting in April with the same familiar players, teams in a melding pot of cultures. What's the point in watching them all split up to play each other?

Like the All-Star game, the World Baseball Classic won't hold too much importance, but it will be an enjoyable and entertaining watch for any true fan of the game itself.

First of all, if you're a fan of the game of baseball-not just a fan of the Major Leagues-you will be able to see the best players from around the world-not just those who have come to the United States to play in the Major Leagues. 16 countries will be represented including China, Chinese Taipei, South Africa, Cuba, Australia, Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Korea, Canada, Panama, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Though many Latin players play in the Major Leagues, you may be surprised what nation some of your favorite players will be playing for. Mike Piazza, a catcher who has played for the Dodgers and Mets and now Padres, is slotted to play for Italy, while Mark Mulder and Danny Haren, both pitchers for the A's and Cardinals are scheduled to play for the Netherlands along with Andruw Jones of the Braves. These players are just some of the surprises you may encounter. While the surprises may not be enough of an incentive to watch, seeing your favorite players mixed with the best around the world may entice you to catch a few games.

Like the All-Star game, your favorite players will be together on teams and playing against each other. Albert Pujols and Miguel Tejada are scheduled to play for the Dominican Republic, first playing Venezuela on Tuesday March 7th. Carlos Zambrano and Miguel Cabrera are slotted to play on that Venezuela team. While Zambrano and Pujols are already division rivals, Pujols playing for the St. Louis Cardinals and Zambrano for the Chicago Cubs, Pujols and Tejada have never been teammates.

Electric closer, Brad Lidge and Cy Young runner-up Dontrelle Willis will pitch together for the United States. Their first opponent will be pitcher Estaban Loaiza scheduled to play for Mexico also on March 7th.

Needless to say, these match-ups and teams will be made up of a wide variety of fan favorites and new players that may quickly become favorites. For instance, Jason Varitek of the Boston Red Sox and Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees are both scheduled to represent the United States. Also, Johnny Damon, who over the off-season left the Boston Red Sox to become a member of the New York Yankees, is scheduled to play for the U.S. Will it be drama or all business when these three get together? As with the All-Star game, it's always interesting to watch the dynamics between two members of rival teams when they join forces to play on the same team.

There will be several games played here in the United States. Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona, Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California and Petco Park in San Diego, California will all host games of the World Baseball Classic. Tickets are on sale at www.worldbaseballclassic.com.

Not all games will be televised, but ESPN 2 will carry many games both live and on tape-delay. Check your local listings as well as the World Baseball Classic website, www.worldbaseballclassic.com, for information for your area.

Is the World Baseball Classic worth watching? For fans of the game and fans or particular players playing, the World Baseball Classic will be an enjoyable watch. It will get you ready for the Major League season to start and allow you to witness some of the best players from around the world. Going to a game in person may be more of an experience than watching it on tape-delay on TV, but nonetheless it is an important event that opens our eyes beyond our own nation's professionals.

While the World Baseball Classic may never be the definitive way of deciding which county's players are "the best," it is an interesting way for each country to display their own professionals, as well as an experience for professionals in the Major Leagues to play for their own country and display their patriotism.

The World Baseball Classic is a great idea for a variety of countries to exhibit their baseball talents. However, being the first year, the WBC is likely to fall into some pitfalls that plague many first-attempt tournaments. Whether it be lack of televised games, scheduling issues, or complaints from fans/players, the World Baseball Classic won't be perfect. However, it will be an exciting look beyond our own borders and beyond our own views of the sport, to encompass a more worldly view. Don't expect perfection if you plan on watching, simply sit back and enjoy observing something new and different.

And when it's all over? Those that follow the Major Leagues can settle into April read to root for their favorite teams and players to get to that special Fall Classic.