This sounds pretty cool...

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/...10worldcup.html

 

Baseball’s long wait for a World Cup-style international tournament, with the game's best players representing their countries, is over.

 

Two Major League Baseball Players Association officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Major League Baseball and the MLBPA will announce either Wednesday or Thursday that a 16-team tournament will be held during spring training of 2006.

 

“We’re working on a joint press release to be issued over the next few days,” one union official told Baseball America. “It’s a collaboration--we’re hammering out what we’re going to say and how we’re going to say it.”

 

MLB spokesman Pat Courtney declined comment. One high-ranking baseball official with knowledge of the pending announcement said suggestively, “I would be here,” in reference to the owners meetings that are being held through Thursday at MLB’s offices in Manhattan.

 

Tentatively called the “World Baseball Classic,” the tournament will be staged across three weeks next March and will be the first full-scale event involving major league players representing their home countries. Olympic tournaments included only amateur players from 1984-1996, after which professionals have been eligible. Because of scheduling conflicts, however, international competition has generally involved minor leaguers.

This sounds pretty cool...

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/...10worldcup.html

 

Baseball’s long wait for a World Cup-style international tournament, with the game's best players representing their countries, is over.

 

Two Major League Baseball Players Association officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Major League Baseball and the MLBPA will announce either Wednesday or Thursday that a 16-team tournament will be held during spring training of 2006.

 

“We’re working on a joint press release to be issued over the next few days,” one union official told Baseball America. “It’s a collaboration--we’re hammering out what we’re going to say and how we’re going to say it.”

 

MLB spokesman Pat Courtney declined comment. One high-ranking baseball official with knowledge of the pending announcement said suggestively, “I would be here,” in reference to the owners meetings that are being held through Thursday at MLB’s offices in Manhattan.

 

Tentatively called the “World Baseball Classic,” the tournament will be staged across three weeks next March and will be the first full-scale event involving major league players representing their home countries. Olympic tournaments included only amateur players from 1984-1996, after which professionals have been eligible. Because of scheduling conflicts, however, international competition has generally involved minor leaguers.

 

 

It is about time- now we can finally get this underway and provide baseball fans the answer to who plays the best baseball. Hopefully all the best players from each country come out and play for national pride.

Edited May 11, 200520 yr by palehose23

I remember hearing about this for the past few years. I think it will be great to watch. Wonder how it will be televised.

Will be alot better than long spring training.

That sounds really cool. Of course I don't want to see Buehrle or someone going 7 innings a few times during this tourney as opposed to him getting his normal work in spring training.

Check out potential lineups on BA. I am almost embarrassed to say that I would root for Venezuela or the Dr over the US> A Maggs/Ozzie renuion would be fascinating

I must say, I would love to see a Venezuela vs. US showdown. I don't know who I'd root for though with Ozzie managing, it'd be tough.

 

Go USA

Isn't there a pretty good chance that Manny Ramirez would play for team USA seeing how he is now a US citizen and actually grew up in New York.

Yes, Manny (and A-Rod for that matter) would probably play for the US. The lineups on ESPN are probably more accurate. I gotta give the advantage to the US because they have a lot more pitching depth than the other countries. It could be interesting though. The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico have some nice hitters, and someone like Santana, Pedro, or Zambrano have the potential to carry the staff. I like Team USA's odds with guys like Rocket, Unit, Sheets, Prior, and Peavy potentially making up the rotation though, no matter who the other guys are.

Yes, Manny (and A-Rod for that matter) would probably play for the US. The lineups on ESPN are probably more accurate. I gotta give the advantage to the US because they have a lot more pitching depth than the other countries. It could be interesting though. The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico have some nice hitters, and someone like Santana, Pedro, or Zambrano have the potential to carry the staff. I like Team USA's odds with guys like Rocket, Unit, Sheets, Prior, and Peavy potentially making up the rotation though, no matter who the other guys are.

What, no Buehrle?

With Johnson and Clemens as old as they are and with Prior's injury troubles I'd call that list a work in progress. I know Clemens wants it badly retired or not

Australia will OWN your asses. That is all.

Australia will OWN your asses. That is all. 

 

Crikey! Now I'm worried.

Crikey! Now I'm worried.

C'mon with Jon Stephens, Chris Snelling, Travis Blackley, Graham Lloyd, Thomas Brice and co. on the team, just give us the trophy already.

I read that the US state department would have to OK Cuba's entry into the tournament. It would be a shame for them to be denied.

they don't have (whitesox) after Takatsu's name....WTF??

I'm pulling for my home country, the USA.

That sounds really cool.  Of course I don't want to see Buehrle or someone going 7 innings a few times during this tourney as opposed to him getting his normal work in spring training.

 

On bbtn Tim K. said there will be pitch count limits and appearance limits. He also said teams will not be able to block players from participating.

 

This should be fun.

 

On bbtn Tim K. said there will be pitch count limits and appearance limits. He also said teams will not be able to block players from participating.

 

This should be fun.

 

   

Man this will be a total blast.

I would imagine the World Cup type thing would have a tougher steroid program than the MLB.

 

If healthy could we see Frank repping the US?

I would imagine the World Cup type thing would have a tougher steroid program than the MLB.

 

If healthy could we see Frank repping the US?

 

Hopefully they have an olympic style testing program, since it will be an internationally sanctioned event. 2 year bans could really put the pressure on MLB even moreso.