World Baseball Classic starts today

[Kyle]

Korea vs. Chinese Tapei opens it up tonight, The U.S.'s first game is March 7 vs. Mexico...here's the brackets:

Pool A
China
Chinese Taipei
Japan
Korea

Pool B
Canada
Mexico
South Africa
United States

Pool C
Cuba
Netherlands
Panama
Puerto Rico

Pool D
Austrailia
Dominican Republic
Italy
Venezuela

The World Baseball Classic will feature 16 teams in a four-round tournament. The 16 teams will be divided into four pools of four teams for Round 1. Round 1 pool play will be held in a round-robin format as all teams within each pool will match up one time (total of six games per pool). The top two teams by record from each of the four Round 1 pools will advance to Round 2. These eight qualifying teams will be split into two pools for Round 2 and will again play one another in a round-robin format of games (total of six games per pool). The top two teams in each pool by record will then advance to the two single-elimination Semi-Final games. The winners of the Semi-Final games will advance to the tournament's single-elimination Final. In total, 39 games will be played.


A pitcher must:

Not pitch until a minimum of four days have passed since he last pitched, if he threw 50 or more pitches when he last pitched;
Not pitch until a minimum of one day has passed since he last pitched, if he threw 30 or more pitches when he last pitched;
Not pitch until a minimum of one day has passed since any second consecutive day on which the pitcher pitched; and
Throw no more than:
65 pitches per game in Round One of the tournament;
80 pitches per game in Round Two of the tournament; and
95 pitches per game in the Semifinals and Final of the tournament.
Note: A pitcher may exceed the maximum per-game limits in order to complete a batter's plate appearance.

There are no restrictions on the use of position players.
If a pitcher is within 20 pitches of a prescribed limit at the beginning of an inning, the Game Operations Technical Committee (appointed to each game by WBCI) shall so inform the umpire-in-chief, both managers and the ballpark public address announcer. The Game Operations Technical Committee shall immediately notify the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher has reached a limit set forth in the Rule (which includes finishing a batter's plate appearance, if necessary), whereupon the umpire-in-chief shall inform the pitcher's manager to remove the pitcher from the game immediately.

The umpire-in-chief will award a regulation game in Rounds 1 or 2 of the tournament to the Team that:

Is ahead by 10 or more runs when the opposing team has batted in at least seven innings;
Is ahead by 15 or more runs when the opposing team has batted in at least five innings.
Note: A game can be terminated in the middle of an inning if the team reaches the necessary number while at bat. The game will end immediately after that run is scored, unless it is because of a home run, in which case all runs score(similar to games won in a team's last turn at bat).

[Kyle]

Cuba's my pick to win it all...they've had the most time to repair, they're pretty much unscouted as far as their talent goes, none of their players have withdrawn, and Fidel will kill them and their families if they don't win.

EDIT: This is the U.S's final roster:

Pitchers:
Roger Clemens
Chad Cordero
Brian Fuentes
Todd Jones
Al Leiter
Brad Lidge
Gary Majewski
Joe Nathan
Jake Peavy
Scot Shields
Huston Street
Mike Timlin
Dan Wheeler
Dontrelle Willis

Infielders
Derek Jeter
Chipper Jones
Derrek Lee
Alex Rodriguez
Mark Teixeira
Chase Utley
Michael Young

Outfielders
Johnny Damon
Jeff Francoeur
Ken Griffey Jr.
Matt Holliday
Vernon Wells
Randy Winn

Catchers
Michael Barrett
Brian Schneider
Jason Varitek

[Bud8Weiser]

It doesn't seem like too many people really care about this but I'm excited to see it. It should be pretty cool. I just wish more of the guys were gonna play that backed out.

[OandA_Chris]

USA takes the whole thing.

[Buddahman7]

I'm excited to see how it will be. Hopefully its as good as international hockey. Time to get some international rivalries going.

I've picked Dominican Republic to win it all

then Cuba

then USA or Japan

[fandango86]

I'm excited to see how it will be. Hopefully its as good as international hockey. Time to get some international rivalries going.

I've picked Dominican Republic to win it all

then Cuba

then USA or Japan

Dominican would have won with Manny, Pedro, and Vladdy, but without them it will be tough. USA is my pick just for the infield (!), followed by Puerto Rico. Is that creep John Sterling calling the games? It would be fucking hilarious if he was calling USA vs Japan and got to shout out 'An A-Bomb! From A-Rod!'

[rustytrombone1]

I have XM and will listen....likely watch some of it....the all star line ups have stunk it up for the US lately...but that was other sports. Hopefully the overpaid group we've assembled will play with more than a ho-hum attitude.

[MHasegawa]

Korea won last night and Japan tap danced on China 18-2.

[weakside]

I am not a fan of this at all...it only increases the chance for injury, thus taking away from MLB.

That being said, I want the United States to kick some ass.

[HockeyHelmet]

DH rule or no DH rule?

[MHasegawa]

Dh

[MHasegawa]

If they do this again, it'll probably be after the world series

[rustytrombone1]

If they do this again, it'll probably be after the world series
They are doing it again. Normally on a 4 year rotation---except the next one is in 3 years as to not be held during the same year as the summer olympics.

[FreeTheCricket]

This whole thing is quite possibly the dumbest concept Selig has ever come up with. The players were basically bullied into doing it, the fans don't give a shit, and some team is going to be out of the playoff hunt before the season even starts because their star (or stars) is going to get injured. This is not about "bringing baseball to the world" or whatever the fuck they are saying. It's all about money, period. I really hope Ronnie or Victor doesn't go down, because then the Indians will have a REAL hard time competing this year.

Bad, bad, bad.

[MJMANDALAY]

Lets get this over with so that we can move on to watching the Yankees win another Championship

[FreeTheCricket]

Lets get this over with so that we can move on to watching the Yankees win another Championship

http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/3056/laugh4gi.jpg

[Kyle]

This whole thing is quite possibly the dumbest concept Selig has ever come up with. The players were basically bullied into doing it, the fans don't give a shit, and some team is going to be out of the playoff hunt before the season even starts because their star (or stars) is going to get injured. This is not about "bringing baseball to the world" or whatever the fuck they are saying. It's all about money, period. I really hope Ronnie or Victor doesn't go down, because then the Indians will have a REAL hard time competing this year.

Bad, bad, bad.


Speak for yourself. I've very interested in seeing how this thing plays out, and it's better than watching Spring Training games or the awfulness that is the NBA circa 2006.

I've always been a fan of international competition and while this may not have been the best way to go about it, it's still going to be fun. And I think it will play some effect in globalizing the game more.

The way I would have done it was to extend the season a couple weeks every four years (one week at the beginning, one at the end) and play it during the season so every one's in shape and injury risk would be minimized.

[Kyle]

Korea (3-0) and Japan (2-1) have advanced from Pool A...the rest of the divisions start March 7.

[askewcore]

This whole thing is quite possibly the dumbest concept Selig has ever come up with. The players were basically bullied into doing it, the fans don't give a shit, and some team is going to be out of the playoff hunt before the season even starts because their star (or stars) is going to get injured. This is not about "bringing baseball to the world" or whatever the fuck they are saying. It's all about money, period. I really hope Ronnie or Victor doesn't go down, because then the Indians will have a REAL hard time competing this year.

Bad, bad, bad.

I agree. Selig is just plain awful. Between this and having the All Star Game determine home field advantage I wanna spit on him.

[RadioMercenary]

My real problem with the world baseball classic is that I don't want to see guys get hurt during the game. Like I don't want to watch Puerto Rico play whoever and see Beltran coming up limping from a miscue in center and be out for two months.

The concept is nice, however, its especially dumb to do it in spring training, why not just do it during the olympics or something? kind of like in hockey where they have the olympic break; i dunno just my thought

[Kyle]

My real problem with the world baseball classic is that I don't want to see guys get hurt during the game. Like I don't want to watch Puerto Rico play whoever and see Beltran coming up limping from a miscue in center and be out for two months.

The concept is nice, however, its especially dumb to do it in spring training, why not just do it during the olympics or something? kind of like in hockey where they have the olympic break; i dunno just my thought

Well, baseball is out of the Olympics either until 2012, or through the 2012 games.

I'd be all for that idea, but I'm not sure it'd make a difference as far as public opinion goes. No matter what time of year you do it, there will always be bitching about it because of people potentially get hurt. The same thing happen with hockey every two years with the Winter Games.

I like the idea of during the season. After the season's not a bad idea either, but you run the risk of people being completely burned out on baseball by then and not caring about it, as well as players being overworked and again being at risk of injury.

[OandA_Chris]

USA Loses to Canada 8-6

[Dopie Opie]

My real problem with the world baseball classic is that I don't want to see guys get hurt during the game. Like I don't want to watch Puerto Rico play whoever and see Beltran coming up limping from a miscue in center and be out for two months.

The concept is nice, however, its especially dumb to do it in spring training, why not just do it during the olympics or something? kind of like in hockey where they have the olympic break; i dunno just my thought


That really is a lame excuse. A player can get hurt during spring training just as easliy, plain and simple.

Every year a guy gets hurt during a spring game or workout and is on the DL for the season. Geeze how many times did Garciaparra get hurt during spring training.

Its good for baseball and great for the fans. And I am a Yankee fan for the record.

The reason Steinbrenner is against it is because he thinks it will take away from his spring attendence, that he does not have to share with the other teams.

Less stars = less attendance = equal less merchandise being sold.

[askewcore]

That really is a lame excuse. A player can get hurt during spring training just as easliy, plain and simple.

No its not, because no one goes all out in Spring Training, playing for real to start the Spring is just asking for trouble.

The reason Steinbrenner is against it is because he thinks it will take away from his spring attendence, that he does not have to share with the other teams.

No, he hates it because everytime Team USA goes out there George has about $400 million dollars of his money on the field that could possibly be injured, which would be like flushing that money down the toilet.

USA Loses to Canada 8-6

Good how many more games do they have to lose before we get our players back to their real teams?

[Dopie Opie]

No its not, because no one goes all out in Spring Training, playing for real to start the Spring is just asking for trouble.

Its the same thing. You have guys getting hurt all spring. Right now Giambi, Shef and Matsui are all nursing injuries....Should they cancel spring training ??

Its horsecrap selfishness. George does not get a cut, so he does not want to share his toys. At least Jeter, Arod, Bernie and Damon are not so short sighted that can see the benefit of this tournament.

Two years ago Jeter seperated his should in the first game. Isn't that a waste ?? He was stretching a double into a triple in his first at bat. did that extra base really make a difference ?? No.

Players get hurt all the time. PERIOD. My only concern would be pitchers throwing too many pitches, but there are rules to prevent that. Everything else is up to the gods....PLAY BALL !!

[askewcore]

Jeter fucked up his shoulder on a hustle play to better the YANKEES, thats the team he plays for. George pays him a ridiculous amount of money and he shouldnt have to "share his toys". I know this is a poor example but if you bought a $250 million dollar car, would you let some asshole just throw it in a race against some other countries in an effort to spread the sport or some horseshit excuse, which at the end of race, you get nothing for winning, but you could wreck your car totally. If Bud Selig loves this idea so much, he should just put the Brewers in it, let him play with his own fucking toys.

As far as guys nursing injuries, thats what Spring Training is for, to get back into baseball shape, get your timing down. They know and expect to get little nagging injuries during Spring Training, thats why the games dont fucking mean anything, so no one over extends themselves and gets hurt. Some gook player dislocated his shoulder on the first or second day of play, eventually a real, american player is gonna get hurt and it could seriously fuck some teams up.

[Tommy Ceez]

Will people stop pussy bitching about players getting hurt? There not fucking base jumping!

Jesus, you sound like fucking grandmothers.

[Dopie Opie]

Will people stop pussy bitching about players getting hurt? There not fucking base jumping!

Jesus, you sound like fucking grandmothers.


Hello exactly.....

[ProfessorAnt]

first...a correction from the Grammar Nazi...
http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/2396/correction4rt.jpg
You should have used the contraction they're.

there = 1. at or in that place; 2. toward, to, or into that place; 3. used in impersonal constructions in which the real subject follows the verb.
their = The possessive form of they.
they're = The contracted form of they are.

My impression after watching these games is that the rest of the world is taking the games very seriously, but the US is playing like it is spring training. The US is in a no win situation. If the US wins, it is no big deal since they have a majority of the All Stars on their team. If the US loses, they look like assholes because they have an all star team and still couldn't win.

This tournament is an example of how the United States players get out of shape in an offseason and the rest of the world continues to get better by staying in shape and playing games. How the fuck else can you explain losing to Canada and almost losing to Mexico.

I watched four games already and I don't know if I'll sit through too many more. It reminds me of the Little League World Series and I'm so starved for baseball that I probably will sit through it, but it still doesn't satisfy my hunger.

Start the countdown to 4-3-06!

[sobi]

Bottom of the 3rd inning. USA 16 South Africa 0

while I definately wanted a win to advance into the second pool, this is painful to listen to.

[Kyle]

Bottom of the 3rd inning. USA 16 South Africa 0

while I definately wanted a win to advance into the second pool, this is painful to listen to.

Well, everyone should have seen that coming after losing to Canada.

Round 2 is set.

No real surprises except most people probably would have picked Canada to advance over Mexico in Pool B. And Puerto Rico and Cuba still have one more game against each other tomorrow, but both are guaranteed to advance. The participants for Round 2:

Pool A:
Korea (3-0)
Japan (2-1)

Pool B:
Mexico (2-1)
United States (2-1)

Pool C:
Puerto Rico (2-0)
Cuba (2-0)

Pool D:
Dominican Republic (3-0)
Venezuela (2-1)

The U.S. draws Japan in their first game on March 12.

I hope ESPN does a better job televising these games as the tournament progresses. I understand NCAA conference tourneys are going on, but come on, throw us a bone here.

[OandA_Chris]

I hope ESPN does a better job televising these games as the tournament progresses. I understand NCAA conference tourneys are going on, but come on, throw us a bone here.



yeah USA's game today that We already know they won will not be aired until tomorrow at 3pm. Come on ESPN i can understand not airing all the games (Venezuela vs Australia) but atleast air all the USA games live. FUCK

[Fred Told Me]

No real surprises except most people probably would have picked Canada to advance over Mexico in Pool B.
.

What people are you going by? Mexico was favored to advance over Canada. They are a much better team and that's what made the US upset by Canada even more surprising.

[Fred Told Me]

yeah USA's game today that We already know they won will not be aired until tomorrow at 3pm. Come on ESPN i can understand not airing all the games (Venezuela vs Australia) but atleast air all the USA games live. FUCK

The USA game was on Channel 9 here in New York, today. As has most of the games been. You can't fault ESPN. This is Championship Weeks, one of their biggest weeks of the year. Just another example of bad timing for this Baseball classic. Next week they will be alright because ESPN doesn't have any NCAA Tournament games.

[OandA_Chris]

it was on channel 9 shit. ON mlb.com they didnt have it listed I though ESPN was the only one caring the games thats why i was pissed at ESPN.

[Fred Told Me]

it was on channel 9 shit. ON mlb.com they didnt have it listed I though ESPN was the only one caring the games thats why i was pissed at ESPN.

It was an ESPN produced game, just aired on Channel 9 because ESPN and ESPN 2 were filled with basketball. Believe me you didn't miss much.

[Tommy Ceez]

IS the team USA game even on fucking TV today, I dont have ESPN2HD on CV

[MAVRIC305]

Derek Lee just tied it at 3 a piece with a two run shot!

ESPN 2 - Check your local listings.

[MHasegawa]

Japan was robbed, complete bullshit on the part of the the umps.

[MAVRIC305]

Shit happens. Umpires always blow calls. I would have to agree that they were robbed of a run. Though, the game would have been tied or USA would have won with the A-Rod single.

That's baseball.

http://www.dkd.hr/doga2005/hiroshima-bomb.jpg You lose... ;)

[joefrombklyn]

well i gotta admit it looked like japan was robbed but hey shit happens and
if the tables wre turned it would have been fucked for the usa but no instant replay in baseball..goooooo u.s.a.
i can see this wbc shit taken off in another 4 yrs when played again its very energetic and playoff atmosphere.

[MAVRIC305]

well i gotta admit it looked like japan was robbed but hey shit happens and
if the tables wre turned it would have been fucked for the usa but no instant replay in baseball..goooooo u.s.a.
i can see this wbc shit taken off in another 4 yrs when played again its very energetic and playoff atmosphere.

I totally agree.

I am really enjoying watching this kind of baseball this early in the year. As you said, it is a playoff atmosphere. I am really into it. I hope USA can pull it off.

[Tommy Ceez]

well i gotta admit it looked like japan was robbed but hey shit happens and
if the tables wre turned it would have been fucked for the usa but no instant replay in baseball..goooooo u.s.a.
i can see this wbc shit taken off in another 4 yrs when played again its very energetic and playoff atmosphere.
One point...iI think the next WBC is in 3 years...something to do with it not going against either the World cup, or summer gams crap.

The PR/DR game was like Game 7 of the World Series....those people (and the players) were goin nuts

[MAVRIC305]

USA Vs. Korea LIVE on ESPN NEWS!

If anyone cares...


AHH, SHIT! They are popping in and out.... Fucking retarded!

[7cent]

WTF, why are they starting this game at 11PM when their playing now..

[Tommy Ceez]

Korea wins!! USA still alive with CLEMENS vs. Mexico tomorrow for a chance to join Korea, Cuba, and Dominican Republic in the semi's

When Korea won, they did a victory lap around Angel Stadium, the japanese team collectivly came out to the infield and bowed to Korea, and then Korea PLANTED THIER FLAG ON THE PITCHERS MOUND!

40,000 in attendance

And for all the doubtful baseball fans...this tournament has been FANTASTIC.
These guys are playing for real...Carlos Delgado pinch hit injured when PR was facing elimination

[roche]

IS the team USA game even on fucking TV today, I dont have ESPN2HD on CV

If you have an HD antenna, check your ABC weather channel. They have been showing the WBC games there for free in Dallas.

I hear from a few posters on avsforum.com that CBS will be doing the same for the NCAA tournement if your city has a secondary CBS channel like 11.2

[Tommy Ceez]

If you have an HD antenna, check your ABC weather channel. They have been showing the WBC games there for free in Dallas.

I hear from a few posters on avsforum.com that CBS will be doing the same for the NCAA tournement if your city has a secondary CBS channel like 11.2
THANK YOU! I will try it!

[joefrombklyn]

i think the tv coverage has been fucken horrendous i mean i dont think the networks thought it was gonna be this good..
espn deportes is only available in certain states and certain cable carriers. direct tv doesnt carry it and time warner cable either i did a google search on espn deportes and it said that its been an ongoing battle to get the networks to carry it... im glad the rest of the games will be on regular espn so im looking forward to that. its great to have this kind of baseball this early in the year ...

[Fred Told Me]

Well to be fair to ESPN, that epic College Softball game last night was way too important to air, instead of the World Baseball Classic.

ESPN has been horrible with its presentation of this. Last week they had an excuse with College Basketball. I don't want to hear about deals already in place, There is no excuse for a fuckin College softball game to be on instead of important WBC games.

[Kyle]

Big game getting ready to start for Team USA...win or go home

[MAVRIC305]

All I know is USA better win this game against Mexico tonight.

Remember the Alamo!

[Kyle]

Well, all I know is ol' Bob Davidson, umpire extraordinare, is putting the fix in for us. He's already blown a couple calls in USA's favor. It's bordering on blatantly trying to screw other teams.

He's the Earl Hebner of MLB umpires.

[joefrombklyn]

im with ya kyle.. just a bit obvious..
poor team mexico even tried to show the ump the yelloew on the ball.

[MAVRIC305]

I agree with you both, it is getting a little ridiculous with all these bad calls going in our favor. BUT, I am glad all they got the run. that's all they would have gotten anyway....

I am really into this... As if it were a Mets playoff game. I hope they can get some runs this inning.

[joefrombklyn]

it seems like the usa is having a hard time with every team they have played so far in the tournament.. either 1 of two things ...
1- they arent ready yet meaning due to not really having a spring traing this year and getting there bodies ready like the other teams in the classic are generally from warm climates or japan and tokyo have domes also.
2- they didnt expect to get challenged by these other teams and they thought it was gonna be a breeze.

[Kid Brock]

Well, all I know is ol' Bob Davidson, umpire extraordinare, is putting the fix in for us. He's already blown a couple calls in USA's favor. It's bordering on blatantly trying to screw other teams.

He's the Earl Hebner of MLB umpires.


I am almost embarrassed to root for the USA with that fucking up missing calls left and right.

[rahrah]

down 1 going into the last inning...now is the first time i am alitte into this tourney
would like tosee them pull it out- but wouldnt care if they lost

[joefrombklyn]

HEY MAV, DO U BELIEVE THIS SHIT LAST INNING AND DOWN BY 1......
and to think the united states was favored to win it all..

[rahrah]

HEY MAV, DO U BELIEVE THIS SHIT LAST INNING AND DOWN BY 1......
and to think the united states was favored to win it all..
yea but that was a suckers bet just becuase the books know majority of the gamblers are american


who the hell is this lefty mexico is throwing?

chipper walked...do we have any speed on on the bnch?

[joefrombklyn]

i dont know but that lefty just fanned griffey jr. and made him look like he was swinging at a golf ball...

[MAVRIC305]

This is why A-Rod is the MVP. This is why he played for USA instead of DR. He has to come through here, HAS TO!

It's Major League players on every team. It's baseball, it's anyone's ball game.


Here WE GO!!!

[rahrah]

2-0 shoud have been arods pitch - this guy did not wanna go 3-0

[rahrah]

this is why buck martinez is on xm and not managing a big league team - damon should have been running for chipper when arod was up

[MAVRIC305]

I am praying for a wild pitch to stay out of the DP. This is sick, nerve racking baseball in March... I had to crack a beer after that walk... This game can be over with one ground ball, and that scares me...

[MAVRIC305]

Fuck!

[Mother Shucker]

Buh bye.

[Mother Shucker]

I am praying for a wild pitch to stay out of the DP. This is sick, nerve racking baseball in March... I had to crack a beer after that walk... This game can be over with one ground ball, and that scares me...
Good call.

[funnybonez]

LOSER!!! Glad GM Minaya made the mets a latino team... there still in it!!!

[rahrah]

fuck it...back to the cuse game

[MAVRIC305]

Good call.

The way the US was hitting (or lack thereof) I knew that was a definite possibility. They were off-balance against every team, except the 10 year old kids in South Africa. It all comes down to real competition and a lack of composure. Every team in this round of the tournament had a chance to win. The US had a great chance, they just had ZERO composure.

Sucks.....


LET'S GO METS!!!

[Kyle]

What a fucking embarassment to lose to Mexico.

But when you consider the U.S. should have lost to Japan and would have been eliminated much earlier, I guess it all evens out in the end.

My prediction from when this thread started still stands. I've got Cuba winning the whole thing, and I'll stand buy it. They look almost as dominant as the Dominicans have looked.

[rustytrombone1]

What an embarrassment for the US. Losing to Korea and Mexico? Terrible.

[sobi]

I don't think losing to the only undefeated team in the classic is that embarrasing.

[rustytrombone1]

I don't think losing to the only undefeated team in the classic is that embarrasing.
When you're expected, predicted and bragging about having the best team it certainly is.

[ProfessorAnt]

it is pathetic that the WBC creators gave the US an easy schedule by putting them in "easy" pools and they still lost. They would have been out in the first round if they had to play any of the real teams.

[HockeyHelmet]

We in NO way had the best team in the tournament, just sucks because if it is October ol' Jeter hits a home run in the 8th to tie it up.

[Kyle]

We in NO way had the best team in the tournament, just sucks because if it is October ol' Jeter hits a home run in the 8th to tie it up.

We did on paper going in...once the tournament started, it appeared we were outclassed.

A lot of it had to do with Dontrelle Willis sucking. I think we lost both his starts, and he got shelled pretty hard.

[Tommy Ceez]

In '09 the US team has to start 2 weeks early and play about 6 intrasquad games in order to get the batters 20+ at-bats before the tourney starts.

Cuba is in the MIDDLE of thier season, and Korea and Japan are 4 weeks ahead of the MLBers with thier spring training

They were just as rusty as DR and PR

[funnybonez]

Can we guess how many CUBA players are going to defect!!

Anthony strap your guns and head down to Petco Park!!! TEHETEHE!!

[Kyle]

In '09 the US team has to start 2 weeks early and play about 6 intrasquad games in order to get the batters 20+ at-bats before the tourney starts.

Cuba is in the MIDDLE of thier season, and Korea and Japan are 4 weeks ahead of the MLBers with thier spring training

They were just as rusty as DR and PR

That, and they need more of a team than just a collection of all-stars. You look at Korea, Japan, and Cuba and they all can manufacturer runs, play incredible defense, and aren't to selfish to move guys over, bunt, or give themselves up to advance a runner.

The U.S. team just seemed to be swinging for the fences the whole time.

[MHasegawa]

Did anyone watch the championship game? It was joined in progress because some crappy NIT game went into double overtime. Japan took the lead early but Cuba would not go quietly, they came back and cut the lead to 6-5 with a 2 run homer in the 8th, Japan retaliated with 4 in the 9th and won 10-6.

I hope this tournament has changed the view of the naysayers, this was a great concept and I can't wait for 2009 when the next one arrives.