The championship game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic is tonight, featuring Japan and Korea. Although I am a big supporter of the WBC it is clear that I am in the minority in this country. This is based on both negative feedback I've heard in some cases, and a seemingly lack of any interest at all in others. Since I refuse to accept that this tournament cannot succeed in the States (it is very popular elsewhere by the way) I am looking for your help in this week's edition of Top 5. What are your Top 5 suggestions to making the WBC a success in America?
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6 comments:
5. Fewer teams: Perhaps the likes of Italy, South Africa, the Netherlands, etc add the Cinderella aspect to the tourney, but does anyone want to see them play? Perhaps there should be some automatic bids (Top 2 in WBC, Olympics, World Championships) get automatic bids and the other squads battle for the other spots in an 8-team (not 16-team) field.
4. It's not an All Star Game!!! Let the best players play and don't worry about NOT playing people. If playing to win is not THE goal of the team what is?
3. No unnecessary games! I understand the change in format this time but it left each round with an extra game that meant nothing other than for seeding in the next round. In some cases it seemed beneficial to lose. Games that don't help determine who advances should be eliminated.
2. Play for your country!!! How was A-Rod allowed to play for the US in one WBC and the Dominican Republic the next? If you want to play for a country other than your own that is fine....but no switching!
1. Play at a better time! This is the worst time of year because the guys aren't warmed up or in their best shape. Perhaps the elimination portion could be played now with a single-elimination week long tournament the week of the All Star game.
Some of these suggestions borrowed from The Stark Plan by Jason Stark.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldclassic2009/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3999459
5) Make baseball cards of all of the player on all rosters that are available free with the purchase of any sized coffee at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts 2 weeks prior to the games
4) Play games in Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium
3) Only hall of fame players can coach the bases
2) You cannot DH a shortstop!
1) Fans vote for the US team
Dice K MVP!!! Ichiro huge hit to win it. Really fun final
If you're a household name you shouldnt be able to play in the WBC. It should be focused on getting to see young guys who people dont know yet.
Less teams, less games. Should be played after World Series...but I really enjoyed it this year, even when watching non-USA games. Actually, I always feel like Team USA has a second-rate team...better American needs to play, especially pitchers - or we will always lose.
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