Baseball set to name World Cup the 'World Baseball Classic'

By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer

May 10, 2005


NEW YORK (AP) -- Major league baseball and its union are ready to give a go-ahead to starting their international tournament next year and will name it the World Baseball Classic.

Management and the players' association planned to announce the 16-nation event after Wednesday's owners' meeting in New York, a high-ranking baseball official said Tuesday on condition of anonymity. Owners gave their preliminary approval Aug. 19, and baseball hopes to have agreements in place that will allow a formal launch of the tournament to take place during the All-Star break in July.

Planning for the tournament, which has been generally referred to as the Baseball World Cup, has been in the works for several years, but the process has moved slowly. Major league baseball originally hoped to launch the tournament in 2005, then pushed it up to 2006.


Wednesday's announcement was first reported by Baseball America on its Web site Tuesday.

Major league baseball and the union already have reached an agreement with the International Baseball Federation to have international drug testing standards for players during the event, which will be played in March, during spring training.

Participation in the tournament will be voluntary.

Japan has not yet formally decided whether it will participate, a Japanese baseball official said, also on condition anonymity, although Japan is likely to send a team to the tournament.

One of the four first-round groups will be played in Asia, the other three in the United States.

Baseball died with the strike of 1994. I have not been to or watched a game since.

RIP

I like the idea a lot, but what do they mean by "formal launch of the tournament to take place during the All-Star break in July." Does that mean the tournament will take place during the season, so there will be no good players participating?

Quote:

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Originally posted by ALinChainz

Major league baseball and the union already have reached an agreement with the International Baseball Federation to have international drug testing standards for players during the event, which will be played in March, during spring training.

Participation in the tournament will be voluntary.

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I think it will be announced, or "launched" then, but played during spring training the following year.

OK. Well, it's a great idea, but will only be as good as the players involved. I can't see any top-notch pitchers pitching 5+ innings in March, or any teams risking their high salary players.

This could be good for baseball...and I think the US should use it as a showcase...

I agree with Figs though...I don't see how the showcase players are going to be involved...but if it's voluntary...it could be interesting...

I'd like to see MLB tie some money into this...

it would be a step towards a true world series...

The big names and big money makers will skip it just like the NBA players want to do now with the Olympics.

But you never know, I wouldn't mind seeing a true world's title.

Kind of sounds like we're talking about boxing.

lmfao...seems to be on our minds lately...

It would have to be AFTER the season...not before...they want to do it during the spring training though...so they wouldn't be missing any free time I suppose...

and I guess it would have to be plyed in the states every year...

Yeah, it should be after the season, just play in down south or in domes. I think you'd get more participation and most injuries would be healed by the spring.

Soccer seems to manage getting marquis players involved, and they make huge money.

and you can make the case that baseball is being played in just as many markets as Soccer...and with the US and it's grand media and marketing as baseball's base...you would think that this could happen...

Funny thing is...once you clear out all the players...I doubt the US will have the best team...

would be fun watching which country did...or which players would want to prove their country as the best...

Dominican Republic anyone?

and who would the Puerto Ricans play for...the US...or would their be a Puerto Rican team?