Author Topic: World Baseball Classic starts this week...... (Read 510 times)

StarOfAfrica2 · « **on:** February 28, 2006, 11:02:13 AM »

Who is your money on? Japan is one of the favorites, but Cuba is fielding a good team too.

Any ideas?

http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com

Sixpence · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2006, 11:05:31 AM »

And don't forget fantasy baseball, i've had three drafts already:D

midnight Target · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2006, 11:11:50 AM »

Puerto Rico?

When did they become a Country?

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2006, 11:58:46 AM »

Well .............. they're a Republic ............. thats kinda / sorta the same isnt it?

I'm kinda wondering how Netherlands got into pool C with Puerto Rico, Cuba and Panama. Isnt that kind of a stretch?

rpm · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2006, 12:30:42 PM »

Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic should both have great teams.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2006, 01:18:13 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by rpm
Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic should both have great teams.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2006, 02:16:02 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by midnight Target
Puerto Rico?

When did they become a Country?

Puerto Rico has a seperate Olympic team....

Pei · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2006, 05:51:34 PM »

Will the winner be the new "World Champines"?

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2006, 06:22:25 PM »

You could chalk this up to me knowing nothing about baseball, but why are some people playing for countries in which they were not born?

midnight Target · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2006, 06:34:22 PM »

The "nationality" rules were very loose. If you have a grandparent from that Country you are allowed to play for them. That's why Mike Piazza is playing for Italy.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2006, 06:38:43 PM »

Mike Piazza was actually the reason why I asked. He actually grew up with my Mom, so I had no idea why he was playing for Italy.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2006, 10:47:08 PM »

Thank Multi-culturalism for that. No one is satisfied being American anymore, they all want to dig up their roots and be someone else (while having the BENEFITS of being American).

That and the fact that it helps other countries get interested if they can lay claim to some MLB players to help them get off the ground. Places like Japan and Cuba and Puerto Rico have been playing baseball and sending guys to the majors for decades. More kids probably play baseball there than here in America, percentage wise. Panama? Eh, probably not, but who knows? But the Netherlands? I seriously doubt they have many youth leage baseball teams. Or Italy for that matter. Or even South Africa.

However, I'm glad to see them participating. I'd like to see England and France and Spain field teams. I'd like to see it really become a "world" sport and make the competition more intense. Personally I think Puerto Rico and Cuba will kick our American prettythanges.

And I'll love every second of it.

rpm · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2006, 11:35:39 PM »

You laugh when I say PR and DR will send great teams, then turn around and make my point.

Quote

Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
Places like Japan and Cuba and Puerto Rico have been playing baseball and sending guys to the majors for decades. More kids probably play baseball there than here in America, percentage wise.

I don't get it.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2006, 01:41:57 AM »

Sorry. I just thought that was like the understatement of the year.

The only team that will give either one any trouble is Cuba. They are probably the best non-professional team in the world, and quite frankly I cant wait to see them play Puerto Rico. The US team is sadly understaffed in the "big shot" dept. I guess I never realized just how many of our players were from the DR and PR.

rpm · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2006, 02:02:53 AM »

np

I remember reading an article a few years ago on baseball in The Dominican Republic. They are fanatics.