Baseball World Cup

[kinstlinger]

I wonder if this spring's baseball World Cup "Classic" will have any manner of springboard onto the soccer version.
Maybe if we lose to Mexico in the late rounds, some of the less-inclined soccer fans will want a victory where it will really hurt.

[england66]

I wonder if this spring's baseball World Cup "Classic" will have any manner of springboard onto the soccer version.
Maybe if we lose to Mexico in the late rounds, some of the less-inclined soccer fans will want a victory where it will really hurt.


this maybe the only other post on this thread....fcuk baseball....the "great American waste of time"....

[Sandon Mibut]

I think it will be pretty cool. I'm looking forward to seeing all the US' best players, not to mention seeing who emerges as the biggest test among the Dominican, Puerto Rica, Venezuela and Japan.

I'd also like to see Cuba play to see how their elite players who kick ass against amateur and minor league players would do against the world's best.

But, as I understand it, Cuba isn't participating. (Probably because most of the team would defect and be in the bigs by April!) Too bad.

As for how all this impacts soccer, I think it will be good. First of all, it's no secret this tournament is based on the World Cup of soccer and this will be brought up a lot during the run-up to it. Be a nice little bump.

Second, expect the international fans to be very boisterous and bring a lot of passion associated with soccer to baseball games. You'll hear "it sounds like a soccer game here" during the games. (I've been to baseball in Venezuela and PR and it's a lot of fun.)

And, as noted above this could enhance some rivalries we already have in soccer (Mexico comes to mind) and create more interest in those games when we play those teams. Not much, but a little and for soccer, every little bit helps.

And, I think this will get US fans pretty into the us against them and folks more excited for the WC and that would impact ratings.

Anything that helps the WC ratings in the US is good for the game and trickles down to helping the US national team and MLS.

[Sandon Mibut]

this maybe the only other post on this thread....fcuk baseball....the "great American waste of time"....Dude, if you don't like it, don't watch. Baggin' on it isn't going to make it go away or make soccer more popular. It just makes you look out of touch with the mainstream, which is how the media already percieves soccer fans.

[england66]

Dude, if you don't like it, don't watch. Baggin' on it isn't going to make it go away or make soccer more popular. It just makes you look out of touch with the mainstream, which is how the media already percieves soccer fans.


...out...gone...bye bye

[Frankie Boy]

[QUOTE=Sandon Mibut]I think it will be pretty cool. I'm looking forward to seeing all the US' best players, not to mention seeing who emerges as the biggest test among the Dominican, Puerto Rica, Venezuela and Japan.

I'd also like to see Cuba play to see how their elite players who kick ass against amateur and minor league players would do against the world's best.

But, as I understand it, Cuba isn't participating. (Probably because most of the team would defect and be in the bigs by April!) Too bad.

From what I hear Cuba IS playing...

[Frankie Boy]

[QUOTE=Sandon Mibut]I think it will be pretty cool. I'm looking forward to seeing all the US' best players, not to mention seeing who emerges as the biggest test among the Dominican, Puerto Rica, Venezuela and Japan.

I'd also like to see Cuba play to see how their elite players who kick ass against amateur and minor league players would do against the world's best.

But, as I understand it, Cuba isn't participating. (Probably because most of the team would defect and be in the bigs by April!) Too bad.

From what I hear Cuba IS playing...

[Neutral Fan]

Yes they will play.

Aaron

[Red Card]

Whose drug testing policy will be used? Olympics or MLB or other? Anyone know?

[IMOX77]

Should be fun, i just hope the US team plays to win it. I dont want to see another '04 Olympic basketball disappointment.

Preliminary commitments from MLB players.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/051205wbcplayers.html


US will have the strongest pitching led by Clemens, Zito, Willis, Holliday, Sheets, Smoltz, Wagner, Lidge and Isringhausen