All Fans Should Embrace World Baseball Classic
Baseball's World Cup Should Receive Equal Support
Mar 4, 2009
The World Baseball Classic started in 2006 as a meeting of the world’s best baseball teams every few years to determine one champion from a sixteen team tournament. The WBC was originally scheduled to be played in 2006 and 2009, and based on its success, every four years thereafter. Commissioner Bud Selig’s idea behind the Classic was to capture the international attention and excitement that soccer draws in its World Cup Tournament, held every four years during the summer.
Timing is the Biggest Criticism
It is very easy to see the arguments against the World Baseball Classic. With baseball’s regular season spanning seven months (April-October), there is no clear place to hold a tournament that would last up to three weeks for the two teams that reach the finals. Playing these games in November, after the playoffs have ended, would mean that the participants would most likely be burnt out from a long summer of competition or, more likely, players whose teams have been eliminated would have to come back to competitive baseball during a time when players’ bodies are used to recovering. Therefore, the Classic is held in March, while Major League Baseball’s teams are preparing for the upcoming season in Spring Training.
Injury is the Biggest Concern
Those that have problems with the timing of the classic usually bring up the possibility of injuries with players performing at a higher intensity at an earlier time than usual. The reality of this statement is that players can be hurt at any time, especially during Spring Training when they purposely do not operate at 100%, and by holding back may actually cause themselves more harm than good.
Better Competition is the Biggest Advantage
Participants in the World Baseball Classic actually have an advantage over those who opt to remain with their team. While most players are in their games for a few innings before heading off to a relaxing rest of the night, those in the Classic are playing meaningful, intense games against others in the same atmosphere. These players will see better competition earlier in the year than those facing a AAA prospect or someone simply trying to make the team in Spring Training.
There Are Ways to Prevent Teams from Getting Burned
Pitching should be the only concern for baseball fans, since it is relatively clear that excessively throwing a baseball earlier than one’s body is used to will most likely have long term negative effects. To prevent this, the WBC instituted a pitch limit that will increase as the teams advance through the levels. Furthermore, teams with concerns will exercise their ability to withhold a player from competing if he underwent surgery during the offseason or was missed enough games the previous season.
WBC is a Showcase of International Talent
Some may argue that players dropping out of the WBC waters down the competition, but the two teams with the most Major League talent are the USA and Dominican Republic squads, neither of whom won the Classic in 2006. This shows that other countries are bringing their best players to the tournament, and the competition level is higher than most people realize where other countries get to showcase their best players against the rest of the world. Moreover, baseball fans that only get the opportunity to watch American baseball will be able to see the best that other countries have to offer.
No Baseball Fan Should Miss the Classic
The argument for or against the World Baseball Classic seems to be entirely based on concern for injury, but any baseball fan should welcome the opportunity to watch competitive baseball at a time of the year where April can’t come fast enough. Once opening day comes, the media outlets are flooded with fans jumping to early reactions about their teams. Baseball continuously is growing in popularity and those people that call themselves die-hard fans should be ready to start watching their favorite sport grip them once again; to have it one month earlier than usual is a treat to baseball fans throughout the world.
