quote:I think the WBC is Awesome. If a guy gets hurt playing baseball in March; well, let's see it's March and he's playing baseball... injuries happen. The only thing that could be greater than getting to be a big leaguer would be a big leaguer that gets invited to play for their country.
quote:I don't know if anyone really knows why baseball is out of the Olympics; pro-European sports/anti-USA bias by the IOC has been blamed, as well as the indefinite length of games for planning purposes, cost of specific facilities, the lack of cooperation by MLB to let their players play, and then there's the steroid issue (but whether that comes from the IOC or MLB/Players Union not wanting to be subjected to Olympic testing
Orlando,
You bring up some very good things to contemplate as to why Baseball is out of the Olympics. These things need to be addressed. International competition is good for baseball!IMO
The only thing is... I wish there was a way to play the WBC after the season instead of before the season. Maybe, right after the World Series ends. Could even eliminate players who were in the World Series. The rest would be plenty to make for a very strong team. Some wouldn't play because of bumps and bruises or more serious injuries from the long season. But that would be better than getting injured right before the actual season is about to start.
There are more than enough great players to fill the rosters. And if two teams can play up to 7 games in the World Series at that time of year, why couldn't another group play at that time of year? Besides, then if someone was injured it might not affect the season because they would have all winter to heal. Just some thoughts. It seems the WBC should be held in the Fall rather during Spring Training!
I think it should stay right where it is. Look at the interest it is generating in the sport of baseball right now. Injuries happen, imo these same injuries would most likely happen at Spring training too.
I don't think there's any good or obvious time for the WBC. That being said, I like the idea and believe that it's good for baseball.
I don't know what month the Asian teams play their postseason (Northern Hemisphere ---- I'm going to assume Sept-Oct as well); I do know the European tournaments are in October.
European teams aren't, of course, as deep as the MLB. As you may have heard during some of the games, the players also hold down "real"
jobs. After a long season with their own push in tourneys, the European teams will be limping even more than the US and Asian professional teams.
So I'm not thinking that international teams of worn-out players are going to garner a lot of positive attention for international ball.
Spring Training games are even more "meaningless" exhibition games (unless you think it's more meaningful to wear the name of your employer than your country).....where guys do get injured. And at this time of year when fans are hungry to watch some baseball, the game is guarenteed it's widest and most interested audience.
I don't know what month the Asian teams play their postseason (Northern Hemisphere ---- I'm going to assume Sept-Oct as well); I do know the European tournaments are in October.
European teams aren't, of course, as deep as the MLB. As you may have heard during some of the games, the players also hold down "real"
jobs. After a long season with their own push in tourneys, the European teams will be limping even more than the US and Asian professional teams.So I'm not thinking that international teams of worn-out players are going to garner a lot of positive attention for international ball.
Spring Training games are even more "meaningless" exhibition games (unless you think it's more meaningful to wear the name of your employer than your country).....where guys do get injured. And at this time of year when fans are hungry to watch some baseball, the game is guarenteed it's widest and most interested audience.
A shameful Day. USA is eliminated by Japan. Who's our best player anyway? Adam Dumb? No wonder MLB can't expand to the world, because we are the second rated baseball country with second rated baseball skills. Don't say we didn't send our best, even with our best players, I doubt it would make any differences. Forget the world, let's play our own league at our back yard. 
My take is the WBC should be played during all star break. Extend the break 10 days, cut the season down by 5 or 6 games (how many times can you watch Seattle play Oakland anyway?) and use that time period to drive the game internationally.
And how many MLB players from all teams in the WBC are now trying to recover from injuries incurred in the event and now trying to get ready for the season that pays the bills
By the way the OLYMPICS is when you compete for your country, isnt it????
By the way the OLYMPICS is when you compete for your country, isnt it????
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Yep, If there was still baseball in the Olympics...
44
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quote:By the way the OLYMPICS is when you compete for your country, isnt it????
Yep, If there was still baseball in the Olympics...
44.
The Olympics kicking baseball and softball out was just an Anti-American stand.
Nobody from the other countries turned down a chance to play for their country. It took the USA team over 50 phone calls to fill their roster.
Nobody from the other countries turned down a chance to play for their country. It took the USA team over 50 phone calls to fill their roster.
quote:Originally posted by trojan-skipper:
The Olympics kicking baseball and softball out was just an Anti-American stand.
No that's not the case. I think that's a face saving measure pledged by our best Ally England. In general, Japan & korea are extremely disappointed with the London Olympic committee's suggestion. MLB can't afford losing their credibility in front of the world again. They are happy that there's no Olympic baseball in 2012.
quote:Originally posted by bbking:
A shameful Day. USA is eliminated by Japan.
You are kiddding me right? Do you think these guys wanted to lose? How can someone compete when they are not at 100%? How can a team win when players are out of their regular position, pitchers not ready? It was obvious from the beginning USA wasn't going to make it.
I can see why so many players backed out, lots of injuries, starters not ready to begin season next week.
Not sure when it is a good time to hold the WBC. I doubt the WBC is going to change their plans anyway to accomodate the USA.
I beleive these guys have the biggest obligation to their employer and their fans who support them everyday.
Yes you can get hurt during spring training, but that is with your coaching staff on your turf.
If I was a MLB manager or owner and my player would be out due to injury for this, I would be quite unhappy. I would be quite unhappy as a fan too.
MLB is big business, everyting else really doesn't really match up to it.
JMO.
As far as the Olympics, why compete when you can't send yout best during your playing season?
What player wants to leave his team on it's way to a pennant race, therefore, you are forced to take your second best, maybe your third, fourth or fifth in college players and milb players.
What player wants to leave his team on it's way to a pennant race, therefore, you are forced to take your second best, maybe your third, fourth or fifth in college players and milb players.
Since 1983, our American teams have played in the Goodwill Series against the National High School Teams
from Japan, Korea and Australia.
Our alumni list includes 155 MLB players. Only in one year did we win more than we loss. The Japanese pitcher - Tanaka pitched against our players in Cooperstown and at USC in 2006.
It is very difficult for USA to complete against the training of the Japan and Korea player and their loyalty to their country and coaches.
During the recent World Games, the advance scouting report on our players started last year and their coaches and officials studied the MLB games on TV. In addition, you have several ML players who have played against all the American players.
Normally in organizing our American teams, I selected 3 LHP and 3 RHP and no less than 5 left handed hitters. It is the slider from the Japanese and Korea pitchers that is "cruel"and has "no mercy". Personally, I respect their work habits, however I need to "win".
It will be a bitter battle tonight. There is the "rest of the story" but I will not tell it now.
Please enjoy the game of International baseball.
You are all correct, it is not the proper time of the year for any of the teams. The only solution for the USA is to place the USA team and their coaches in a Winter League.
Use the "shuttle"system to change players each 3 weeks. This will reduce the injuries and provide a core of Major League and Minor League players with International experience.It will never happen. The union and the agents will not allow it to happen.
Bob
from Japan, Korea and Australia.
Our alumni list includes 155 MLB players. Only in one year did we win more than we loss. The Japanese pitcher - Tanaka pitched against our players in Cooperstown and at USC in 2006.
It is very difficult for USA to complete against the training of the Japan and Korea player and their loyalty to their country and coaches.
During the recent World Games, the advance scouting report on our players started last year and their coaches and officials studied the MLB games on TV. In addition, you have several ML players who have played against all the American players.
Normally in organizing our American teams, I selected 3 LHP and 3 RHP and no less than 5 left handed hitters. It is the slider from the Japanese and Korea pitchers that is "cruel"and has "no mercy". Personally, I respect their work habits, however I need to "win".
It will be a bitter battle tonight. There is the "rest of the story" but I will not tell it now.
Please enjoy the game of International baseball.
You are all correct, it is not the proper time of the year for any of the teams. The only solution for the USA is to place the USA team and their coaches in a Winter League.
Use the "shuttle"system to change players each 3 weeks. This will reduce the injuries and provide a core of Major League and Minor League players with International experience.It will never happen. The union and the agents will not allow it to happen.
Bob
TPM, Those excuses are getting really old. The problem is I don't think MLB all star team can compete with Japan or Korea's all-star team. BTW, half of the MLB all-stars are foreigners, isn't it?
MLB should host a World All-Star game in middle July,Invite 3 foreign ALL Star team (Japan, korea,
Cuba)to play for a 3 day Double elimination tournament. To find out who's the best team in the world. Let those "Our best is not there..."excuses rest in peace. This will be a great promo for MLB if the US All-Star team can win it all.
MLB should host a World All-Star game in middle July,Invite 3 foreign ALL Star team (Japan, korea,
Cuba)to play for a 3 day Double elimination tournament. To find out who's the best team in the world. Let those "Our best is not there..."excuses rest in peace. This will be a great promo for MLB if the US All-Star team can win it all.