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JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

BASEBALL

2013 World Baseball Classic expands to 28 teams

Sports Jun. 03, 2011 - 04:50AM JST ( 7 )

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7 Comments

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techallJun. 03, 2011 - 03:04PM JST

Nicaragua and Philippines should do well, both have strong youth baseball programs (Philippines did very well in the Little League World Series unti they were found to have used overaged players). Colombia has also produced some good players.
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smithinjapanJun. 03, 2011 - 03:16PM JST

Agree that the Central/South Americans teams should fair well, but Thailand and Israel? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it's actually becoming a 'world' baseball classic instead of just a few nations, but I'm not sure just throwing in more teams accomplishes much besides a PR boost.
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SmorkianJun. 03, 2011 - 03:43PM JST

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it's actually becoming a 'world' baseball classic instead of just a few nations, but I'm not sure just throwing in more teams accomplishes much besides a PR boost.

I'm pessimistic too, but I guess it's worth a shot. There's not really another way to grow the game globally.

I'm surprised Nicaragua didn't have a team already - while they are maybe not baseball mad they do play it there and have had a few major leaguers.

Now I just wish they would hold the finals here where people actually care about it!
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mrmiyagiJun. 04, 2011 - 01:49AM JST

a number of MLB players, most notably Americans, have already declined to play for 2013... if they were to hold the finals anywhere off of North America, even more players would decline... and I'd imagine team owners would be even more discouraging of their players playing... this tourney will continue to be a waste of time until MLB finally decides to have it in the Summer and not during March Madness...
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SmorkianJun. 04, 2011 - 09:06AM JST

a number of MLB players, most notably Americans, have already declined to play for 2013

I don't think anyone's talked about building teams for a tournament 2 years away. If the Americans don't want to compete that's their loss. Let the rest of the world beat them. It's important here.
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lostrune2Jun. 04, 2011 - 06:23PM JST

Like everywhere else, it's only important when the home team is playing.
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willynillyJun. 04, 2011 - 06:57PM JST

great, perhaps washed up USA players can find jobs in countries that will allow two/three gai "koku" jin players