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World Baseball Classic Blog

• Blue Jays want to connect with Canada

  13Sep
  Categories: Canada, Pool B, WBC2006 Comments: 1

  The only MLB team in Canada, Toronto Blue Jays, wants to host the training camp of 2006 World Baseball Classic Canada Team at their spring site in Dunedin, Florida.

  Original, Baseball Canada prefer to have training camp at the same place they play for the first round of World Baseball Classic next spring, which probably is Milwaukee Brewers’ facility in Phoenix, Arizona. But don’t forget, due to the connection between Blue Jays and Canada, using Blue Jays’ site looks more reasonable.

  Besides, Canada’s manager Ernie Whitt and third baseman Corey Koskie both from Blue Jays, and most of Canada’s players should also be in the Florida with their clubs.

  Baseball Canada’s director of national teams, Greg Hamilton said “I think it would be just great for Canadian baseball. There’s a natural connection. Hopefully it all gets worked out.”

  Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey said the Canadian national team belongs at his club’s camp. He also envisions the Jays and Canada playing a few exhibition games before team went to Arizona for World Baseball Classic.

  Right now, Blue Jays are waiting for final answer from MLB later this week to confirm they can run together. I guess the answer is very clear.

  Blue Jays seek to host Canada’s training camp for World Baseball Classic

  Below is the Blue Jay Spring Training Site in Dunedin provide by Google Map.

• Bonds said No to WBC for now

  12Sep
  Categories: Pool B, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Barry Bonds, who will be activated on Sep. 12, refuses to think anything, include World Baseball Classic, other than comeback and staying healthy for now.

  Ask about if he would play for the United States in inaugural World Baseball Classic next spring, Bonds hasn’t considered it, and said. “I don’t know. I’ll bridge that when we get there. I haven’t thought about it. I don’t think about baseball. I’ve had three surgeries on my knee.”

  Maybe he will consider after he hits several home runs.

  Bonds to start in left and bat cleanup in return

• Japan wants Oh as manager

  11Sep
  Categories: Japan, Pool A, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  
  Although no decision on attending World Baseball Classic yet, but NPB Officials have decided to ask Sadaharu Oh, Home Run King and manager of Softbank Hawks, to take charge of Japan team next spring.

  Might be a sign on Japan to attend WBC 2006, Nippon Professional Baseball officials made a decision on ask Sadaharu Oh to be the manager of Japan Team next Spring. Officials will make an official request to Oh in the coming days.

  In the mean times, NPB and the players association still try to reach agreement to join the inaugural World Baseball Classic on March, 2006, but still don’t know when will have decision yet.

  NPB asks Oh to manage
  Oh tapped as Japan manager for World Baseball Classic

• Pedro might pitch in WBC

  10Sep
  Categories: Pool C, Puerto Rico, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Another big star might join the Baseball biggest event, Pedro Martinez of New York Met hasn’t decided yet, but he already considers it.

  Still try to help Mets not to finish last in the NL East; Pedro talked about representing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic next spring. He just mentions that “I will give them support if I can. That’s my country, Why not?”

  Asked if he would pitch or not, although there is no decision yet, Martinez said. “Everybody is supposed to represent their country. If I don’t, being healthy, in my country it would be a disaster.”

  For the Dominican Republic Team, which should include several superstar like Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, is one of best team in World Baseball Classic 2006.

  Martinez also thinks the competition would be good, and said “The United States will have a great team, but we’ll be pretty good. It will be fun.”

  Martinez mulling second team

• No conclusion yet!

  08Sep
  Categories: Japan, Pool A, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Nippon Professional Baseball and their players’ association still did not have a conclusion about attending the first World Baseball Classic.

  Both sides exchanged opinions over a range of issues arising from participating WBC scheduled on March 3-20. The discussion is included injury compensation, which is one of core demands of the players’ association, and will meet again next week try to iron out an agreement.

  The meeting was held after Major League Baseball renewed its call for Japan to take swift action to clarify its participation in the WBC, the first international competition to feature major league players representing their countries.

  Top NPB officials, who initially objected to MLB’s dominance in organizing the World Baseball Classic, will give the nod to Japan’s participation as soon as an agreement is reached with the players.

  WBC talks continue

• Australia have Friendship Series with Marines

  02Sep
  Categories: Australia, Pool D, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Chiba Lotte Marines has a 20-day training camp in City of Greater Geelong’s baseball complex next Spring, will have Friendship Series with Australian baseball team.

  The City Of Greater Geelong, which located on South Victoria, Australia, will become the summer training camp for Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball.

  Six television crews and representatives from 10 print media outlets will report back to Japan daily on the team’s progress. About 140 million Japanese viewers will watch live TV crosses and news grabs from Geelong Regional Baseball Centre at Waurn Ponds.

  A marquee will be set up at the City of Greater Geelong’s $3 million baseball complex for 40 media representatives from Japan. Their cameras will be focused on the 100 players and support staff from the Marines outfit led by Bobby Valentine.

  A highlight of the 20-day training camp will be a Friendship Series between the Marines and the Australian baseball team which won a silver medal at the Athens Olympics. The Australian team will be preparing for the World Baseball Classic in March.

  
  The eyes of a nation turn towards Geelong