World Baseball Classic Blog

After further discussion, the 16-team field is set for the second World Baseball Classic, which is scheduled for March of next year. Though it is exactly the same as the inaugural edition in 2006, it may be the last time the governing bodies of the tournament restrict the competition to that few teams.

Under consideration for 2013 is an expansion of the field to 24 countries and territories with qualifying rounds as a preface to reach the main competition.

“As the level of baseball continues to rise worldwide, it is essential that the World Baseball Classic expand its field to give the growing number of formidable teams the opportunity to participate,” said Paul Archey, Major League Baseball’s senior vice president of international business operations. “In accordance with the tournament’s goal of growing and enhancing interest in the game, the Steering Committee has strongly endorsed the expansion of the competition for the 2013 event.”

But that’s down the road. Next year’s field will again feature defending title winner Japan, runner-up Cuba, the U.S., Dominican Republic, Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela — all teams that qualified for the second round last time and thus received automatic berths for ’09. It was announced on Feb. 20th that Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Italy, Netherlands, Panama, and South Africa were sent invitations.

Similar to the last time selection process, the Steering Committee determined the 16 teams for the 2009 World Baseball Classic based on criteria established to create the most highly-competitive international baseball event in the world. Some of the key factors involved in team evaluation and selection included: strength of native player base, number of professional players, international rankings, viability of domestic baseball programs, participant’s impact on baseball development in country/territory and diverse global representation.

“There has been significant improvement in the level of play internationally and indeed, Major League ranks include even more players from across the world,” said Gene Orza, chief operating officer of the Players’ Association. “The 16 teams selected best represent the breadth of quality play around the globe, which meets a key tournament objective, showing the world how far baseball has come internationally. If you liked the tournament last time around, wait ’til you see her this time.”

The venues are expected to be announced next month with all four first-round competitions being played outside the U.S., which will host Round 2, the semi-finals and finals, as it did in 2006.

Toronto remains a “very strong candidate” to host one of the four groups in first-round play, a source with knowledge of the event’s planning told The Canadian Press. Canada is likely to be joined by the United States, a Latin American country and a non-traditional baseball country in the first round, with the games being held at the Rogers Centre, home of the Major League Team Toronto Blue Jays.

Attendance for the ’06 tournament at its seven venues was 737,112 tickets sold. The semi-finals and finals were sold out at San Diego’s 45,000-seat PETCO Park, undoubtedly a front-runner to host the Classic’s finale again in 2009.

It was the first time that all Major League players were allowed to represent their native lands in an international baseball tournament. The baseball competition in the Summer Olympics, which is slated for Beijing in August, includes non-25-man roster MLB players only.

“The intensity in the stands as well as the intensity on the playing field was absolutely remarkable, and I’m not sure that going into it you could have felt that,” Commissioner Bud Selig said at the time regarding the legacy of the Classic. “I’m very confident that this will be the platform we use to take this sport internationally to the dimension that I want to take it and believe that we will.”

About the World Baseball Classic Steering Committee
The World Baseball Classic Steering Committee consists of 12 members representing professional baseball leagues, Club owners, players, international baseball federations and other international organizations affiliated with the game of baseball (for a complete list of members, see below). The Steering Committee provides ongoing guidance regarding the development of the premier international baseball tournament, the World Baseball Classic. The focus of the committee is to ensure that the tournament continues to maximize its potential to develop the game of baseball worldwide.

Steering Committee Members
Major League Baseball (2)
Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President, Business
Rob Manfred, Executive Vice President, Labor Relations

MLB Players Association (2)
Gene Orza, Chief Operating Officer
Michael Weiner, General Counsel

International BAseball Federation (2)
Harvey Schiller, President
Eduardo de Bello, Panama

Nippon Professional Baseball (1)
Kazuo Hasegawa, Executive Secretary

Japan Professional Baseball Players Association (1)
Toru Matsubara, Executive Director

Korean Baseball Organization (1)
Il-Sung Ha, Secretary General

Korean Professional Baseball Players Association (1)
Jin-kyun Na, Secretary General

Members-at-large (2)
Gyo Ishiguro, Chief Officer, Culture & Sports Projects, Yomiuri Shimbun
Roland Betts, President & Founder, Chelsea Piers, L.P.

About World Baseball Classic, Inc.
World Baseball Classic, Inc. is a company created at the direction of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) to operate the World Baseball Classic tournament. The tournament, which is sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF), is supported by MLB, the MLBPA, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), their respective players associations and other leagues and players from around the world.

About the World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is the premier international baseball tournament and features the best players in the world competing for their home countries and territories. In March 2006, 16 teams from across the globe competed in the inaugural event, which was sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF). More than 740,000 fans from 48 states and 15 countries attended games and millions more watched on TV as Team Japan was crowned the first-ever World Baseball Classic Champion. The next tournament is scheduled for March 2009 and will be held every four years thereafter.

World Baseball Classic surprise begin, although Taiwan got huge win over China, but Korea upset Japan by Seung Yeop Lee’s two run homer.

For China, 18-2 loss to Japan in the Classic opener was a bummer. The 10-1 setback to Korea in the second game was nothing to write home about, either. And Sunday’s 12-3 loss to rival Chinese Taipei before 4,577 put the finishing touches on Team China’s rough week in Tokyo.

For Taiwan, Winless heading into the Classic’s final day, Yung Chi Chen (Seattle Mariners Prospect) of Chinese Taipei has monster day to a 12-3 win over the rival China, saving face and keeping Asian baseball’s pecking order somewhat intact.

Although Japan speedster Munenori Kawasaki laid down a bunt and couldn’t beat the throw to first, and Ichiro Suzuki popped out unceremoniously for the final out, ending a series of ineptitude for the Seattle Mariners star, as Japan fell, 3-2, to Korea in the World Baseball Classic.

After three wins, Korea will play two exhibition games in Arizona — Wednesday night against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise and Friday night against the San Diego Padres in Peoria. A date with the second seed from Pool B (United States, Canada, Mexico or South Africa) awaits Korea in Anaheim on Sunday, followed by two other games — including a rematch against Japan.

Day 3 result:
Chinese Taipei 12, China 3

CHINESE TAIPEI  - 001 402 041   --  12
CHINA           - 000 002 001   --   3

Korea 3, Japan 2

KOREA           - 000 010 020   --   3
JAPAN           - 110 000 000   --   2

As expect, China and Taiwan all lost today, but we never image that Taiwan will be called game with eight pitcher used.

Japan start fire in first inning with two outs, right-handed starter Chu-Chien Hsu served up a three-run home run to Hitoshi Tamura, starting Chinese Taipei towards a 14-3 loss before 31,047. The game was stopped after seven innings because of the 10-run “mercy” rule.

China finally skipped the meltdown, but Korean Seung-Yeop Lee’s two-home run, five-RBI performance was more than enough to send China to a to a 10-1 loss in World Baseball Classic action Saturday in front of 3,925 fans at Tokyo Dome.

Due to both Korea and Japan has two wins, they will both advance to the second round of the World Baseball Classic in Anaheim Stadium on March 12-16.

Asia’s top seed will be determined on March 5th when Japan plays Korea in the Pool A finale. The winner goes to the United States as the loser and plays the Pool B winner at 1 p.m. (PT) on March 12th at Angel Stadium while the winner plays the Pool B runnerup at 8 p.m. (PT) on the same day.

Day 2 result:
Korea 10, China 1

CHINA           - 000 000 010   --   1
KOREA           - 103 102 21x   --  10

Japan 14, Chinese Taipei 3

JAPAN           - 311 061 2  --  14
CHINESE TAIPEI  - 010 002 0  --   3

Long waiting for the World Baseball Game finally begun, below is today’s two games result.

Game 1: Chinese Taipei 0-2 Korea

KOREA           - 000 110 000   --   2
CHINESE TAIPEI  - 000 000 000   --   0

Game 2: China 2-18 Japan

JAPAN           - 011 043 27  --  18
CHINA           - 000 200 00  --   2

Looks like China is still far away from Asia Top three.

At the beginning of Winter Meeting, Major League Baseball lease a list of 177 major league players, representing all 30 teams who have agreed to participate in World Baseball Classic next spring.

“This is going to be the most important international baseball event ever staged,” MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said. “The game’s best players will compete for their home countries. New and old fans throughout the world will have the opportunity to enjoy our great game and see many of baseball’s best players competing in this historic event.”

Players planning to represent Japan, China, South Korea or Taiwan are expected to be announced later this week at a news conference in Asia.

The designated hitter rule will be used and there will be limitations on pitch counts, but the number has not been decided yet. All players will be tested under the Olympic drug policy although a positive test for the WBC will not count under MLB’s new steroid policy.

“The International Baseball Federation has endorsed and has sanctioned the event,” Players Association COO Gene Orza said. “They would not do that were the tournament not conducted under the rules of the IBF in respect to other Olympic or international events as it relates to drug testing.”

Only Italy, Cuba and South Africa have yet to announce a manager. John Deeble (Australia), Ernie Whitt (Canada), Jim Lefebvre (China), Hua-Wei Lin (Chinese Taipei), Manny Acta (Dominican Republic), Sadaharu Oh (Japan), In-Sik Kim (Korea), Paquin Estrada (Mexico), Robert Eenhoorn (Netherlands), Roberto Kelly (Panama), Jose Oquendo (Puerto Rico) and Luis Sojo (Venezuela) already had been named to lead their countries.

“It is no secret that we have had some discussion with the Cubans that has made us feel very, very confident that they will play,” Orza said. “I believe the Cubans will play.”

Below is the list of players who have agreed to participate in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. A player has agreed to participate does not guarantee that he will be on the final 30-man roster, which must include at least 13 pitchers and three catchers.

Australia:
Adrian Burnside, Trent Durrington, Justin Huber, John Stephens, Glenn Williams

Canada:
Jason Bay, Erik Bedard, Rheal Cormier, Jesse Crain, Jeff Francis, Eric Gagne, Steve Green, Aaron Guiel, Shawn Hill, Corey Koskie, Pete LaForest, Adam Loewen, Russ Martin, Cody McKay, Justin Morneau, Pete Orr, Paul Quantrill, Chris Reitsma, Matt Stairs, Scott Thorman

Dominican Republic:
Antonio Alfonseca, Ronnie Belliard, Adrian Beltre, Eude Brito, Juan Brito, Daniel Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Alberto Castillo, Jesus Colome, Bartolo Colon, Francisco Cordero, Pedro Feliz, Franklyn German, Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez, Jose Lima, David Ortiz, Wily Mo Pena, Neifi Perez, Placido Polanco, Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Felix Rodriguez, Duaner Sanchez, Alfonso Soriano, Julian Tavarez, Miguel Tejada, Robinson Tejeda, Salomon Torres

Italy:
Frank Catalanotto, Mark DeRosa, David Dellucci, Mike DiFelice, Tony Fiore, Mike Gallo, Jason Grilli, Matt Mantei, Frank Menechino, Doug Mirabelli, Val Pascucci, Mike Piazza, Joe Vitello, Pete Zoccolillo

Mexico:
Alfredo Amezaga, Luis Ayala, Rigo Beltran, Jorge Cantu, Vinny Castilla, Juan Castro, Elmer Dessens, Gerardo Garcia, Karim Garcia, Luis Garcia, Edgar Gonzalez, Edgar Huerta, Esteban Loaiza, Rodrigo Lopez, Miguel Ojeda, Antonio Osuna, Oliver Perez, Roberto Ramirez, Dennys Reyes, Ricardo Rincon, Oscar Robles, Ismael Valdez, Oscar Villareal

Netherlands:
Andruw Jones

Panama:
Bruce Chen, Carlos Lee, Jose Macias, Carlos Ruiz

Puerto Rico:
Sandy Alomar Jr., Carlos Baerga, Carlos Beltran, Kiko Calero, Alex Cintron, Jose Cruz Jr., Carlos Delgado, Jose Hernandez, Ricky Ledee, Felipe Lopez, Mike Lowell, Luis Matos, Joel Pineiro, Ivan Rodriguez, J.C. Romero, Rey Sanchez, Jorge Sosa, Andres Torres, Javier Valentin, Javier Vazquez, Jose Vidro, Bernie Williams

United States:
Michael Barrett, Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Mark Buehrle, Eric Chavez, Roger Clemens, Chad Cordero, Carl Crawford, Johnny Damon, Adam Dunn, Brian Fuentes, Ken Griffey Jr., Eddie Guardado, Roy Halladay, Jason Isringhausen, Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Todd Jones, Derrek Lee, Al Leiter, Brad Lidge, Joe Mauer, Jake Peavy, Andy Pettitte, Juan Pierre, Jimmy Rollins, B.J. Ryan, C.C. Sabathia, Brian Schneider, Ben Sheets, John Smoltz ,Huston Street, Mark Teixeira, Chase Utley, Jason Varitek, Billy Wagner, Vernon Wells, Dontrelle Willis, David Wright, Michael Young, Barry Zito

Venezuela:
Bobby Abreu, Edgardo Alfonzo, Henry Blanco, Miguel Cairo, Giovanni Carrara, Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen, Melvin Mora, Tomas Perez, Francisco Rodriguez, Johan Santana, Carlos Silva, Omar Vizquel, Carlos Zambrano, Victor Zambrano

Undecided
a- Alex Rodriguez b- Marco Scutaro
a- eligible to play for both the Dominican Republic and the United States b- eligible to play for both Italy and Venezuela.

Players agreeing to participate in World Baseball Classic
All 30 MLB teams to be represented at World Baseball Classic
WBC Rosters By Country
Big names expected at World Baseball Classic
Major League Stars Sign Up for World Baseball Classic

Jim Lefebvre, who manages the China Star at the first Konami Cup Asia Series, will be the manager of Chinese Team in World Baseball Classic and beyond.

Lefebvre, 63, former Lotte Orions player and coach, and Major League manager with the Mariners, Cubs and Brewers, said he originally took the job as the Chinese team field boss in 2002, making a three-month commitment, “just to get things started.” Three years later, he’s still at the helm and is looking forward to working with the team till possible 2008.

Konami cup held on Nov. 10-13 at Tokyo Dome in Japan, and China lost all three games, 0-6 to Taiwan, 3-8 to Samsung (Korea) and 1-3 to Lotte (Japan).

Lefebvre assisted with pitching coach Bruce Hurst, let China become more competitive, the China Stars played solid baseball, offensively and defensively. Although they did not expect to advance through second round at World Baseball Classic, their main goal is 2008 Beijing Olympic games.

Inaugural Konami Cup a great way to end the 2005 season