[AndSomeAreAngels]

Anyone else excited about the World Baseball Classic? I'm not really a fan of baseball at all (unless I'm trying to sleep), but I'm excited for this tournament. Maybe it's because I love international tournaments, or the fact that the Olympics have deteriorated into shite, but I'll be watching the games for sure.

I think the Dominican Republic has the best team, but Venezuela and the U.S. are gonna be tough to beat.

Anyone else going to watch?

[Twenty26Six]

Originally Posted by AndSomeAreAngels

Anyone else excited about the World Baseball Classic? I'm not really a fan of baseball at all (unless I'm trying to sleep), but I'm excited for this tournament. Maybe it's because I love international tournaments, or the fact that the Olympics have deteriorated into shite, but I'll be watching the games for sure.

I think the Dominican Republic has the best team, but Venezuela and the U.S. are gonna be tough to beat.

Anyone else going to watch?

I don't have a lot of time to pay attention but I will try to turn out for a few games and then the Semis and Final.

[655321]

I'll be watching a few here and there. I'm a big baseball fan and would love to see this eventually become a respected and anticipated event.

[Suss]

I probably won't watch it much because I'm not a big baseball fan. But I hate how every single American journalist or radio personality is bashing this idea and calling it a worthless tournament. Sure, there are plenty of problems with it, but the idea is good. Americans in general don't appreciate international competitions, and that bothers me. We are happy with our MLB and NFL, even when the rest of the world doesn't care.

[AndSomeAreAngels]

Originally Posted by Suss55

I probably won't watch it much because I'm not a big baseball fan. But I hate how every single American journalist or radio personality is bashing this idea and calling it a worthless tournament. Sure, there are plenty of problems with it, but the idea is good. Americans in general don't appreciate international competitions, and that bothers me. We are happy with our MLB and NFL, even when the rest of the world doesn't care.

Exactly. Why the hell are people knocking it before it even starts? The spirit of the tournament is great. There should be more global tournaments that people actually care about. Sadly, I feel the Olympics is not that type of event any more.

Baseball is the second or third largest sport in the world (I think basketball may be #2). I think a baseball World Cup is long overdue, and part of the greatness of it is that there are several teams that could be considered a favorite to win.

I'll be watching if for no other reason than to support this type of event. I'm happy that the American MLB'ers are treating it with respect, i.e. the big guns are actually playing (Jeter, A-Rod, Clemens, etc).

Hopefully with a good viewership this event will take off.

[liverbird]

Couldn't give a rat's ass. Now baseball joins the eggchasers with a copy cat World Cup. Problem is there are really only 5 countries that are any good. I mean Italy and Holland in baseball?

[655321]

I'm definitely more interested in the Giants' pre-season games, but I'll still pay attention.

[stanaccrington]

As a season ticket holder for Yankees spring training games I'm a little pissed not seeing Jeter and co, but not as much as George and his concessions, I am not holding my breath that it will be successfull due to the season being so long, plus who compensates the teams if a super star gets injured, not too bad for the Yankees or Sox but what if Crawford or someone from the Devilrays gets hurt its end of season.

[655321]

Originally Posted by stanaccrington

...who compensates the teams if a super star gets injured.

No one...same deal if someone gets injured in the world cup.

[Twenty26Six]

I hate it already. It is preempting all 5 Champions League matches on [4 on ESPNdeportes and one on ESPN2] Tuesday and 2 CL matches [both deportes] on Wednesday.

So instead of seeing all the 2nd legs. I'm missing 5/6, including Chelsea v Barcelona.

F********K Bud Selig! I hope the Brewers finish dead last this year!