Eri Yoshida made her debut for Kobe 9 Cruise on Friday. Not only did she become the first professional female baseball player in Japan, she’s also only 17 years old. After walking the first batter she faced, she struck out the second batter.
Although Kobe 9 Cruise went on to win the game 5-0, almost all the attention after the game was how Eri Yoshida pitched. On the mound, Yoshida utilizes a sidearm knuckleball that actually has good movement to it.
“I want to be able to pitch more innings,” said Yoshida following her outing, “and become a pitcher who can be …read more

When Japan needed a big hit to win their second straight World Baseball Classic, they got the needed hit from their biggest star. Ichiro, who has been one of the best baseball players in the world over the last decade, hit a single in the top of the tenth inning to score two runs for Japan.
After ending South Korea’s chances in the bottom of the 10th, Japan became successful in their bid to go 2-for-2 in the World Baseball Classic. In 2006, they won the inaugural WBC event.
Japan got up early in this ballgame but could never put South Korea …read more

Japan won the initial World Baseball Classic in 2006. On Monday, they will try to win the 2009 World Baseball Classic after defeating the United States on Sunday night by a final score of 9-4 to advance to the championship game.
The night started off well for the U.S. as they scored in the top of the first inning. After Japan tied it at one, the United States went up 2-1 on a David Wright RBI double in the third inning.
However, the wheels came off for the U.S. in the bottom of the fourth. Facing starter Roy Oswalt, Japan scored five …read more

An underdog against the powerful lineup of Venezuela, South Korea quickly showed that they weren’t intimidated. Sprinting to a 7-0 lead after two innings, South Korea easily held on to win by a final score of 10-2.
South Korea’s lone Major League Baseball player provided the big hit in the first inning. Choo Shin-Soo of the Cleveland Indians hit a three-run shot off of Venezuelan starter Carlos Silva.
On the mound, South Korea got a huge performance from Yoon Suk-Min. Only 22-years-old, Yoon gave up only two earned runs, seven hits and one walk in 6.1 innings, while striking out four batters. …read more

For their semifinal game against Japan, the United States will put the ball in Roy Oswalt’s hand. In his last outing, Oswalt delivered four shutout innings against the Netherlands in a must-win game.
Facing another must-win game, the US is going back to the pitcher who is regarded by many as the best big game starter on the roster. The 31-year-old has spent his entire career with the Houston Astros.
Although Japan hasn’t officially named their starter, most followers expect Daisuke Matsuzaka to get the start. Last year with the Boston Red Sox, Matsuzaka had an 18-3 record with a 2.90 ERA.
The …read more

The United States has had a rollercoaster past two days in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. On Tuesday, the US rallied in the ninth inning to beat Puerto Rico and avoid elimination. On Wednesday, the United States got beat handily by Venezuela.
The hero on Tuesday night was David Wright. Down by a run in the bottom of the ninth, Wright hit a single that scored two runs to give their 6-5 margin of victory. With the loss, Puerto Rico was eliminated. Oddly enough, the last time Puerto Rico and the US met, Puerto Rico won that game 11-1.
On Wednesday, Venezuela …read more

On Monday, two exciting contests took place during the 2009 World Series Classic. The first game saw Cuba go up against Mexico. The loser of this game was to be eliminated.
After getting up early, Cuba saw Mexico tie the ballgame. But a five-run spurt put Cuba up for good. Mexico made a late rally but it was too little, too late for Mexico. Cuba, on the other hands, lives to play another day.
In the other game on Monday, Puerto Rico went up against Venezuela. In this contest, the winner advanced and the loser would go against the United States in …read more

The United States recently lost a game to Venezuela in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Against Puerto Rico, the United States didn’t just lose — they got destroyed. When all was said and done, Puerto Rico had won 11-1 after the mercy rule came into play.
Carlos Beltran and Felipe Lopez hit homeruns for Puerto Rico, while Carlos Delgado had two RBIs and Ivan Rodriguez had three hits. Puerto Rico remains undefeated in the 2009 WBC.
American starting pitcher Jake Peavy got rocked in his two innings of work. He allowed six hits, six homeruns and only struck out one batter. At …read more

Here’s a look at the standings for the 2009 World Baseball Classic. While it’s not much of a surprise that Cuba and Puerto Rico are undefeated, it is surprising that teams like the United States and Japan have a loss. And it’s very surprising that the Dominican Republic is eliminated.
POOL A
Korea (3-1)
Japan (2-1)
China (1-2)
Taipei (0-2)
POOL B
Cuba (3-0)
Mexico (2-2)
Australia (1-2)
South Africa (0-2)
POOL C
Venezuela (3-1)
United States (2-1)
Italy (1-2)
Canada (0-2)
POOL D
Puerto Rico (3-0)
Netherlands (2-2)
Dominican Republic (1-2)
Panama (0-2)
Next up is the second round of the World Baseball Classic 2009.

On Tuesday, Venezuala took care of Italy by a final score of 10-1. Cuba rallied late to beat Australia 5-4 after trailing heading into the seventh inning. In the biggest shocker of the tournament so far, the Netherlands beat the Dominican Republic for the second time to eliminate one of the World Baseball Classics’ favorites. The score was tied at zero heading into the 11th. After the Dominican Republic scored in the top half of the inning, the Netherlands scored twice in the bottom of the 11th to win the ballgame.
On Wednesday, Mexico demolished Australia 16-1 in a game that …read more