November 14, 200619 yr NAPLES, Fla. ? (AP) ? Baseball players and owners plan to stage the second edition of the World Baseball Classic in 2009. "Timing and format still have to be discussed, but we're going to go ahead with it,'' Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said Tuesday at the general managers' meetings. Japan won the first edition of the WBC last March, beating Cuba 10-6 in the final. The United States was eliminated in the second round with a 2-1 loss to Mexico. "We think the Classic was a positive experience, and expect to be able to reach an appropriate agreement with the clubs,'' said Gene Orza, the chief operating officer of the players' association. "A 2009 WBC is on the agenda for our upcoming board meeting.'' Baseball at first hoped to launch the WBC in 2005 but extensive planning caused a one-year delay. After 2009, baseball hopes to stage the tournament every four years ? keeping it out of Olympic years. Some have suggested holding the tournament in November, after the World Series, but Orza has said in the past that it is far more practicable to stage it before the start of the regular season. Because this year's tournament was held during spring training, there were pitch limits in place to prevent strain on arms just getting into shape for the regular season.
November 14, 200619 yr If baseball's so serious about making this 'legit' I think it should be held every 4th year in lieu of the allstar game, NHL style.
November 14, 200619 yr If baseball's so serious about making this 'legit' I think it should be held every 4th year in lieu of the allstar game, NHL style. I dont think they can push that in the middle of the season because of the length and possiblity of injuries while teams are in the pennate race half way through... That being said, I hope something gets done because I really enjoyed the WBC
November 14, 200619 yr If baseball's so serious about making this 'legit' I think it should be held every 4th year in lieu of the allstar game, NHL style. 100% in agreement. Make it a mid-season thing, not a pre-season thing. In the current format, it sucks.
November 15, 200619 yr Personally, it does nothing for me. Maybe someday it will grow on me but I just don't think there is ever an ideal time for it.
November 15, 200619 yr Personally, it does nothing for me. Maybe someday it will grow on me but I just don't think there is ever an ideal time for it. I'm with you. I followed it very loosely last year and I could do without seeing it ever again. It is however a good tool for scouts.
November 15, 200619 yr Personally, it does nothing for me. Maybe someday it will grow on me but I just don't think there is ever an ideal time for it. It's midly exciting just because it's baseball during the offseason, but I don't like the way that spring training schedules were affected for everyone, not just the players but the teams who could use those players in camp.
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