World Baseball Classic

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MLB players proud to play in Classic
Major Leaguers can't wait for return of international tournament
By Tom Singer / MLB.com

Thirty-two months ago, when plans for the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic were presented in Detroit, site of the 2005 All-Star Game, the prevalent reactions around Major League clubhouses were curiosity and concern. The game's players, the undeniable centerpieces of the ambitious and consenquential global showcase of their sport, wondered about the logistics of a tournament in the middle of Spring Training and worried how their participation might impact preparation for the championship season...

The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: MLB players proud to play in Classic

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Inaugural Classic was ... a classic
Japan's beating Cuba for gold was a first in international play
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

The confetti, gleaming streamers and conga dancers were a sign of the times. New times. The 2006 inaugural World Baseball Classic was full of enthusiasm and surprises.
Team USA didn't make it out of the second round, but Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Japan and Korea did. "Anything you do for the first time is not going to be perfect," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "But by any stretch of the imagination, this tournament exceeded my expectations in a myriad of ways. Absolutely."

The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Inaugural Classic was ... a classic

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Strong Team USA would help Classic
Better showing has potential to lift tournament to higher level

Not to go all nationalistic or anything, but what might be good for World Baseball Classic II would be the team from the United States of America actually winning more games than it loses. Is this seemingly chauvinistic sentiment in violation of the entire spirit of the event? No, it is not. As the official announcement of the 2009 version of the World Baseball Classic is made in Japan on Sunday, here are two reasons why at least a modicum of success on the part of Team USA would be all right.

The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Strong Team USA would help Classic

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Classic changes advancement rules
Round-robin format will be replaced by double-elimination
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

In an attempt to avoid the kind of convoluted tiebreaking procedures the World Baseball Classic rules committee instituted for the inaugural 2006 tournament, the round-robin format will be replaced in '09 by double-elimination to move teams beyond the first two rounds. Also, unlike '06, there will be a crossover of teams from their originating four-squad brackets in the semifinals.

The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Classic changes advancement rules

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Venues set for World Baseball Classic
Japan, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico to host first round in '09
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

The first-round venues are set for the second running of the World Baseball Classic, which will begin on March 5, 2009, in Japan. As in 2006, Tokyo Dome and Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will host first-round games. In 2009, those venues will be joined for the first time by Rogers Centre in Toronto and Foro Sol Stadium in Mexico City.

The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Venues set for World Baseball Classic

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Classic competition to again be fierce
Talent from all over the globe indicates another stellar event
By Jim Molony / MLB.com

Think about this matchup: Venezuela's Johan Santana against a Dominican Republic lineup that includes Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero, David Ortiz and Alfonso Soriano? Or America's Jake Peavy facing a Venezuelan lineup with Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen?

The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Classic competition to again be fierce