World Baseball Classic- Will the World Watch?

The World Baseball Classic was announced with great fanfare one year ago. Now that the March 2006 tournament is here, there is less sizzle and more fizzle as star players from all countries have dropped out of their respective team line-ups. Baseball has been dropped from the 2012 Olympic games, and it included only amateur players from 1984-1996. Thus, the Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association were seeking a world tournament platform, such as the World Baseball Classic, in which to promote baseball globally and allow professional athletes to compete. Baseball's commissioner, Bud Selig, enthused, "The World Baseball Classic will bring a unique blend of enthusiasm to old and new fans alike." (ESPN. 5/10/05)

The three week World Baseball Classic begins on March 3,2006. Sixteen countries will participate in a four-round tournament. The countries are divided into four pools:

Pool A: China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Korea
Pool B: Canada, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States
Pool C: Cuba, the Netherlands, Panama, and Puerto Rico
Pool D: Australia, Italy, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela

Countries selected were divided by geography, and were initially chosen based on their competitive balance as baseball playing nations. Opening round baseball sites are in Tokyo, Japan, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Phoenix, Arizona, and Orlando, Florida. Thirty- nine total games will be played for the World Baseball Classic. On the road to the finals, teams eliminated from round one will have played three games. If eliminated in round two the teams will have played six games. Elimination in the semi-final means the teams played seven games, and teams in the final will finish with eight games under their belt. The finals are in San Diego, California on March 20th. One championship trophy will be awarded.

The initial announcement of the World Baseball Classic brought attention to the fact that great names in baseball will have the honor of playing under their home country flag. Players hopped on the bandwagon proclaiming their interest in playing and hoping to be selected to represent their home nation. Player participation is voluntary and major league clubs are not allowed to block any player from participating. However, concerns were expressed about injury and time away from spring training camps. The Turin Olympics demonstrated the dangers as NHL hockey players limp home from competition to resume their regular season. In ramping up for playoffs, key players will be watching from their team benches. Baseball owners and fans do not want to see that happen to their favorite players as the boys of summer warm up for their regular season.

The final roster for each team in the World Baseball Classic lists up to thirty players, with a minimum of thirteen pitchers and three catchers. The playing rules for the World Baseball Classic have been set according to Official Baseball Rules and amended by World Baseball Classic Inc (WBCI). One key difference is that games can end early due to large leads. In round one or two, a team can be awarded a regulation game if it is ahead by ten or more runs when the opponent has batted at least seven innings, or if a team is ahead by fifteen runs if the opponent has batted at least five innings. A tie-breaker is designated by rankings of the team based on the percentage of games won in their respective pools. The World Baseball Classic also has an anti-doping policy and players can be subjected to Olympic style drug testing.

As of February 24,2006 with one week until World Classic Baseball begins, the following key players have pulled out from the competition thus lessening the star power being promoted:

United States -
OF Barry Bonds
RHP Tim Hudson
RHP John Smoltz
LHP Andy Pettite
LHP Mark Buehrie

Canada -
RHP Eric Gagne
RHP Rich Harden
RHP Ryan Dempster

Dominican Republic
RHP Francisco Cordero
OF Manny Ramirez

Mexico -
INF Nomar Garciaparra

Japan -
OF Hideki Matsui
C Kenjl Johjima
2B Tad Iguchi

Netherlands -
LHP Mark Mulder

Panama -
RHP Mariano Rivera

Puerto Rico -
C Jorge Posada
SS Felipe Lopez

Venezuela -
RHP Felix Hernandez

All of these players withdrew for different reasons. For example, Texas Rangers closer, Francisco Cordero, withdrew due to a sore right shoulder at training camp. He did not feel ready to pitch for the Dominican Republic, but hoped to be ready for opening day of the regular Major League Baseball season. Another example of a withdrawal is Ranger outfielder, David Dellucci, who was designated to play for Italy. As a full-blooded Italian, he was excited about playing and yet he "wanted to be a part of the first day of Texas Rangers spring training to the last." (Dallas Morning News, 2/23/06) As a solid hitter, Delucci, nonetheless, has competition in the outfield position, and did not want to lose face time by playing in the World Baseball Classic. No matter what, players need to make a living and they need to protect their best interests.

Many baseball owners and players are choosing to protect their investment (their bodies) and not put themselves at risk in a worldwide arena. Houston manager, Phil Garner said, "World games are important, because it puts baseball on the world stage. But it's also important to the franchise to do the best we can. It's going to be difficult for players to play at a very high level in the World Baseball Classic and then kick right back into six months of highly competitive baseball." (Dallas Morning News 2/26/06)

With that said, the United States is fielding a roster, in the World Baseball Classic, that includes fifteen players who were in the 2005 All-Star Game. Expectations are running high and the competition is steep with the Dominican Republic and Venezuela bringing excellent players as well as strong traditions of baseball. No matter what, there is national pride and countries will want to make a statement about their baseball skills. So, will people who chose to not watch Olympics tune in to baseball on a world stage? Baseball fans can be fickle. But in turn, they can be strangely loyal to their sport. No doubt Bud Selig has his fingers crossed that the World Baseball Classic will be a success and create a following for years to come. Break out the beer and crackerjack and tune in to the World Baseball Classic to root for your favorite players or country - the two may not coincide.

Sources -
ESPN
Baseball Weekly
Worldbaseballclassic.com
Dallas Morning News Sports - February 23 - 26,2006