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World Baseball Classic Blog

• USA, Canada play exhibition game

  23Nov
  Categories: Canada, Pool B, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Before World Baseball Classic start, USA and Canada will play exhibition game with San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays in early March.

  Most national teams will play at one or two exhibition games before the tournament. United States, Canada, Mexico and South Africa are in the Pool B in the first round at Phoenix Area.

  The U.S. team will play an exhibition game against San Francisco Giants’ split squad on March 5 at renovated Scottsdale Stadium, which is also the venue of three games for Pool B. Giants will have 32 exhibition games next spring.

  Canada Team will play against Toronto split squad on March 3 at Dunedin, Florida, the Blue Jays’ spring facility, and then move to Arizona for World Baseball Classic. Blue Jays will have 33 exhibition games next spring.

  Giants release 2006 Spring slate
  U.S., Canada in World Baseball Classic exhibitions
  Giants release spring schedule
  Unable to secure stadium, Marlins will try to relocate
  Blue Jays to play pre-season game against Canada in spring training

• Ernie Whitt lead Canada

  21Nov
  Categories: Canada, Pool B, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Ernie Whitt, manager of the Canadian Olympic baseball team, will also manage Canada in the World Baseball Classic next spring.

  The Toronto Blue Jays bench coach, just lead Canada advanced to 2008 Beijing Olympics Qualify Game next August. Some of the players from the Olympic team might get a chance to play in the Classic too, like infielder Stubby Clapp, outfielder Ryan Radmanovich, pitchers Adam Loewen and Scott Mathieson.

  The only difference between Olympic team and World Baseball Classic team is Major League players. Olympic team does not allow major-league players, but the Classic does.

  “Any conversations that we’ve had with players, they’ve all been very positive where they do want to go and play and compete,” Whitt said. “It’s a lot of organizing, especially with the pitching and hopefully getting them ready so that they are ready to compete in early spring.

  “We’re going to have to treat these games basically as spring training games where our starters will limit to a pitch count or innings. So our starting pitchers will probably be piggybacked with another starting pitcher to try to get us to the seventh inning and then our bullpen guys will take over after that.”

  “Usually, a week in spring training and they’re okay,” Whitt said. “It’s just a timing thing. The first week is conditioning the hands. In most cases, these guys that come to spring training now, they’re all in pretty good shape; they’ve been swinging the bats. Our biggest concern will be our pitching.”

  Witt expects to carry 13 or 14 pitchers for the WBC and “hopefully we don’t play extra innings.”

  The 16-team tournament will be played from March 3 to 20; Canada with Mexico, South Africa, and USA will play the first round at Chase Field and Scottsdale Stadium.

  Whitt guides Canada to Games qualifier

• More players will join WBC

  09Nov
  Categories: Canada, Dominican Republic, Korea, México, Pool A, Pool B, Pool D, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Based on some local news, it looks like more and more players will likely to join World Baseball Classic next spring.

  From Colorado Rockies, Jason Jennings, who has Team USA experience, definitely want to play again, however he probably won’t have the opportunity. But first baseman Todd Helton, left hand pitcher Jeff Francis and Sunny Kim will like to be asked to join USA, Canada and Korea team.

  From Texas Rangers, shortstop Michael Young appears that he will play for Team USA. Young has already received and responded to a questionnaire about his availability for the WBC, said he’d be willing to even move to second if the Yankees’ Derek Jeter plays short or even be the utility infielder.

  Besides Young, Rangers could be without several key players, including second baseman Alfonso Soriano and reliever Francisco Cordero; both could join the Dominican Republic.

  From Tampa Bay Devil Rays, at least four players could be part of the WBC: Jorge Cantu (Mexico), Jesus Colome (Dominican Republic), Carl Crawford (United States) and Pete LaForest (Canada). The Italian team has inquired about Rocco Baldelli, but he is unlikely to play as he is recovering from elbow surgery.

  Form Kansas City Royals, third baseman Mark Teahen, who has dual citizenship of USA and Canada, original considered by Team Canada, but he decided against playing because its preliminary games would be next March, during the heart of spring training.

  “I thought it would be better if I concentrated and focused on the Royals,” Teahen said. “That’s my No. 1 priority.” “That’s the only reason I was considering it, on behalf of my father. But at this stage of my career, its better I focus on spring training.”

  Prospect outfielder Billy Butler and right-hander Jonah Bayliss could be on the USA Team.

  GMs devoting long hours to world event
  Daniels hearing plenty of interest about Mench
  Maddon talk kicks off last week of search
  Family history in Canadian baseball almost lured Teahen

• Canada hunt for talent

  05Oct
  Categories: Canada, Pool B, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  To prepare the World Baseball Classic next March, Canada full tilt to find as much talent as they can to organize Nation Team.

  Chris Woodward, utility man of Toronto Blue Jays, whose wife is a Toronto native and is trying to become a Canadian for WBC2006. He can play all four infield positions plus the outfield and bats right-handed with some pop, which Canada needs.

  Mark Teahen, left-handed third baseman of Kansas City Royals, obtained Canadian citizenship in 2004 through his father, Mike, who was born in St. Marys, Ont. and played for the national team, is eligible to play.

  Jesse Crain, reliever of Minnesota Twins reliever, was born in Toronto but moved back to USA when he was three months old. He previously pitched for the United States during 2004 Athens Olympics Qualifying Games, but he decided to switch to play for Canada and has received a preliminary OK from USA Baseball, will be an asset for the bullpen.

  Rosters recently increased from 27 to 30, with a minimum of 13 pitchers and three catchers, and Team officials are looking over the eligibility rules and Canada’s immigration laws, try to build the best team with five months to go.

  World Baseball Classic organizers recently sent a memo to every team clarifying those eligibility rules. In order to participate, a player must have been either born in a country, hold citizenship there, be a permanent legal resident, have a parent who is a citizen or hold some other ancestral ties to the land (such as a grandparent).

  Baseball Canada are also in the process of requesting permission to use big named players like Jason Bay, Larry Walker, Justin Morneau and Rich Harden.

  Teams aren’t likely to be officially announced until December or January at the earliest. Canada is tentatively scheduled to open its training camp at Toronto Blue Jays’ facilities in Dunedin, Florida on March 3, giving players a chance to spend about a week and a half at their teams’ spring training camp.

  Canada leaving no stone unturned in hunt for World Baseball Classic talent

• Jason Bay, main force of Canada

  03Oct
  Categories: Canada, Pool B, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  

  2004 NL Rookie of the Year, Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Jason Bay will join the Team Canada in World Baseball Classic next March.

  Born from British Columbia, only two years MLB experience, but Jason Bay has become one of the forefronts of Canadians in the majors. After hitting .282 with 26 homers and 82 RBIs last season to Rookie of the Year, he did not have sophomore jinx, but improve to .306 with 32 homers, 101 RBIs and 110 runs, include upgrade on-base percentage up to .402 and stay healthy for playing all 162 games.

  He will represent Canada in March at the World Baseball Classic, will rest and spend the off-season at his new home in Phoenix until January, when training for the World Baseball Classic will get started and fight for Canada.

  Below are other Canadians who migjt join the World Baseball Classic:
  Outfielder Larry Walker, Right hander Eric Gagne, First baseman Justin Morneau, Right-hander Rich Harden, Left-hander Jeff Francis, Third baseman Corey Koskie, Left-hander Erik Bedard, Right-hander Ryan Dempster, Utility man Peter Orr, Designated Hitter Matt Stairs, Left-hander Rheal Cormier, Reliever Jesse Crain, Reliever Chris Reitsma, Reliever Paul Quantrill, Catcher Pete Laforest, Outfielder Adam Stern.

  Bay is better safe than sorry
  No slump for Bay

• Twins support WBC

  01Oct
  Categories: Canada, México, Pool B, Pool D, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Several members of Minnesota Twins could join the World Baseball Classic in 2006.

  Like other major league teams, Twins has players who came from different countries, could fight each other next March.

  Utility infielder Juan Castro has already committed to playing for Mexico, “It’ll be a good event for people everywhere,” Castro said. “It’s an honor to be invited. I don’t know when I’ll have the chance again to represent Mexico.”

  First baseman Justin Morneau, who has been in Team Canada before, but not include 2004 Olympics, could represent Canada. “If I’m invited, I’d like to play,” Morneau said.

  Reliever Jesse Crain, an American who was born in Toronto, since he’s eligible to play for both nations, he was also willing to play for Canada. “Yeah, if they ask me and Team USA doesn’t,” Crain said. “It sounds like it would be fun. Obviously, I’d like to play for Team USA, but I don’t think they’ll ask me.”

  Reliever Juan Rincon and starting pitcher Carlos Silva weren’t sure if they would be able to play for Venezuela due to injury recovery.

  Because World Baseball Classic will be held in March, means Spring Training next year is not the same as previous one.

  For Manager Ron Gardenhire, he did not have problem with losing some guys, as long as their health is protected. “I think representing your country is a wonderful thing,” Gardenhire said. “But hopefully they’ll understand that they have to get themselves into good shape early. I think baseball will take a part in that to get guys into good shape and they’ll be ready to go and not hurt themselves.”

  Notes: Twins look foward to Classic

• Gagne wants to play for Canada

  24Sep
  Categories: Canada, Pool B, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  
  After he played catch this week, Eric Gagne, Closer of Los Angeles Dodgers is feeling good and plans to participate in the 2006 World Baseball Classic for Canada next March.

  Due to elbow injury, Gagne who did not play since June 13 and original expected to require second Tommy John surgery, but gteam physicians Frank Jobe and Ralph Gambardella found that he only sprained the ulnar collateral ligament and Gagne recover quickly.

  Gagne has begun a light tossing program, said “I haven’t felt this good in a long time,”

  Gagne likes the idea of competing for Team Canada while preparing for the regular season. “We’re going to have a decent team,” Gagne said. “There are not a lot of big names, but there are a lot of good guys in the minor leagues.”

  “It’s a chance for me to get healthy for the season, and it’s just great competition,” said Gagne. “I played three years with the national team, so it’s just special. It’s a different atmosphere. You don’t want to get hurt, but at the same time it’s a fun event and you have a chance to represent your country and beat up on everybody else’s country.”

  However, for Dodgers General Manager Paul DePodesta and Manager Jim Tracy, they did not feel the same passion as Gagne.

  “If it were up to me, rehab-wise and medically he’d have to be completely clean,” Tracy said. “I think we have a lot of other issues between now and then,” DePodesta said. “I certainly hope he will be (physically) ready for it, and we expect that he will be.”

  For a team that could play an infield include South Korean first baseman, American second baseman, Mexican shortstop and Dominican third baseman, Dodgers definitely will been asked several representative in the WBC 2006.

  Although MLB Team can not reject a player who wants to play in WBC, but each team can only eligible a maximum of nine players, and health issue could also concern.

  “We don’t know who people are going to want from our club, and what that’s going to mean and what their status is going to be at that point in the year,” DePodesta said.

  As the Dodgers Fade, Gagne Brightens Up

  Notebook: Penny may pitch this year

  Penny injuries are unrelated

• 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.

• USA or Canada? Crain’s call

  11Aug
  Categories: Canada, Pool B, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  With United States and Canada dual Citizenship, Minnesota Twins reliever Jesse Crain could face a tough decision before next spring.

  Team Canada has received permission to make Crain join its team in World Baseball Classic 2006. But question is: Crain has played on Team USA with Twins catcher Joe Mauer in 2003. And if he decides to play for Canada, he would forfeit his Team USA eligibility in the future.

  Crain’s parents are U.S. citizens; he was born while they were on a business trip to Toronto, lived in Canada for only three months.

  Canada team has a potential starting rotation of Oakland Athletics Rich Harden, Colorado Rockies Jeff Francis and Baltimore Orioles Erik Bedard. Crain could join a bullpen with Chicago Cubs closer Ryan Dempster and Atlanta Braves closer Chris Reitsma.

  Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, of British Columbia, Canada, understands it’s a tough choice for Crain and don’t want to put any pressure. “It’s up to him, if he plays for us, he’s got to want to play for us.” Morneau said.

  Crain’s decision: U.S. or Canada

  No deal for Moyer, Doc delayed