2009 World Baseball Classic Update
March 9, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under 2009 world baseball classic, Global Baseball
On Sunday, there were five games on the 2009 World Baseball Classic schedule. The first game saw Cuba hit six long balls on their way to beating South Africa 8-1. Then the Dominican Republic bounced back from their stunning defeat against the Netherland to beat Panama by a final score of 9-0.
The United States advanced to the second round by beating Venezuela by a final tally of 15-6. Australia demolished Mexico 17-7, while Korea stomped China 14-0.
On Monday, Mexico beat South Africa easily. Korea surprised Japan by a final score of 1-0. In a 6-2 ballgame, Italy was able to eliminate Canada. Puerto Rico advanced to the next round with a 3-1 victory over the Netherlands.
The 2009 WBC continues on Tuesday with three games lined up: Italy vs. Venezuala, Dominican Republic vs. Netherland and Cuba vs. Australia.
If the games were played and then re-played at watchable times, it may have more viewers. A game at 3am is not an option for me.
Just let the world stage for baseball be the olympics. The players only need a week off to play the olympic tournament, and then return to the professional schedule. They may expand the roster to allow more players (pitchers) and only one pitcher would have the opportunity to pitch twice, and only if he pitched the first game. The teams could play the preliminary rounds like they do now and then the top 8 teams make up a double elimination tournament like the college world series.
– Maybe some double headers can be scheduled to get caught up and prepare for the October Classic.
LA Mike