When should the WBC be played?

**poster** · 03-10-2006, 12:44 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

I voted November. I know that non playoff teams would have a month off, but they can train and stay in playing shape somehow. I think this event is cool, but playing it at this time doesnt generate any interest for me. Its like a spring training game. I havent watched 1 second yet. Just my 2c.

**Stu** · 03-10-2006, 01:03 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

I voted Spring Training. I think November is unrealistic. If it was held in November, even less players would play. No way these guys would show up after playing a grueling 162 game season and playoffs. I also don't like the idea of doing it midseason. Any injuries would be greatly magnified if they took place in the middle of a pennant race. If they get hurt in Spring Training, teams at least have the opportunity to make changes with that in mind. There's also a ton of other stuff going on like the all-star break, trade deadline, etc.

**Dice** · 03-10-2006, 01:12 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Originally posted by camulos

I voted Spring Training. I think November is unrealistic. If it was held in November, even less players would play. No way these guys would show up after playing a grueling 162 game season and playoffs. I also don't like the idea of doing it midseason. Any injuries would be greatly magnified if they took place in the middle of a pennant race. If they get hurt in Spring Training, teams at least have the opportunity to make changes with that in mind. There's also a ton of other stuff going on like the all-star break, trade deadline, etc.

No matter what time of the year you play some players will make excuses no matter what. November to me is the best time because players are still in shape. Remember when certain major leaguers would go to Japan and play the Japanese all-stars? I even remember Barry Bonds traveling with the team to Japan to compete. If Barry can get his roided-up azz to travel to Japan why can't they compete in a tournament for a couple of weeks?

**Stu** · 03-10-2006, 01:14 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Originally posted by Dice

No matter what time of the year you play some players will make excuses no matter what.

I agree, but I think more players would be willing to play in March because they would be in Spring Training anyways. Asking them to play in November is like when your boss asks you to work Saturday:

**glucklich** · 03-10-2006, 01:15 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Originally posted by camulos

I voted Spring Training. I think November is unrealistic. If it was held in November, even less players would play. No way these guys would show up after playing a grueling 162 game season and playoffs. I also don't like the idea of doing it midseason. Any injuries would be greatly magnified if they took place in the middle of a pennant race. If they get hurt in Spring Training, teams at least have the opportunity to make changes with that in mind. There's also a ton of other stuff going on like the all-star break, trade deadline, etc.

There has been that USA-Japan thing in November for several years now. As a matter of fact, I think Bonds played in it. The other issue of having it in November is free agents not wanting to jeopardize their marketability...but then again, when you get down to it injuries factor into every scenario.

Dice beat me to it.

**Stu** · 03-10-2006, 01:22 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Originally posted by glucklich

There has been that USA-Japan thing in November for several years now. As a matter of fact, I think Bonds played in it. The other issue of having it in November is free agents not wanting to jeopardize their marketability...but then again, when you get down to it injuries factor into every scenario.

True, but the WBC involves a lot more players. I think the players would look at it like they're getting paid to play from March - October. They get so little time at home with their families during the season, I think most would be opposed to playing another month after the season.

The FA thing is another good point. It's true that injuries are a concern whenever it's played, but there's no way any big name FA's would play. Using Damon as an example from last year, it could be a difference of $40 million. If he gets hurt now, he gets paid by the Yankees regardless.

**Dice** · 03-10-2006, 01:35 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Originally posted by camulos

True, but the WBC involves a lot more players. I think the players would look at it like they're getting paid to play from March - October. They get so little time at home with their families during the season, I think most would be opposed to playing another month after the season.

The FA thing is another good point. It's true that injuries are a concern whenever it's played, but there's no way any big name FA's would play. Using Damon as an example from last year, it could be a difference of $40 million. If he gets hurt now, he gets paid by the Yankees regardless.

It's not like they are going to play the WBC every year. They should be able to play one extra month every 4 years.

**Stu** · 03-10-2006, 01:41 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Originally posted by Dice

It's not like they are going to play the WBC every year. They should be able to play one extra month every 4 years.

They should, but they won't unless MLB starts compensating them for it. And you still have the problem of FA's not playing.

**nyyanksfan20** · 03-10-2006, 02:01 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Spring Training. If the WBC becomes a sucess this year players won't be dropping out.

**tc23** · 03-10-2006, 02:02 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Just a few reasons off the top of my head to hold it in march:

-It allows players to still have time for themselves after a long season

-Backup players and guys fighting for roster spots in spring training will have more opportunities for playing time and to prove themselves.

-Players in the WBC will still be able to get themselves ready for opening day by participating in the tourney.

-It gets baseball fans fired up for the upcoming season by having quality games this early in the year.

-Players would be in better shape in march compared to november.

I'd imagine that the players timing would be better in march compared to november. Its hard to turn it back on all of a sudden after a month of not seeing live pitching. At least by the time the WBC rolls around in march, they'd have 2 weeks of training camp under their belt to get back into the swing of things

**glucklich** · 03-10-2006, 02:06 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Originally posted by camulos

True, but the WBC involves a lot more players. I think the players would look at it like they're getting paid to play from March - October. They get so little time at home with their families during the season, I think most would be opposed to playing another month after the season.

The FA thing is another good point. It's true that injuries are a concern whenever it's played, but there's no way any big name FA's would play. Using Damon as an example from last year, it could be a difference of $40 million. If he gets hurt now, he gets paid by the Yankees regardless.

What is foremost however is to have a best foot forward representation and having this during spring training assures that least of all the scenarios. Also, there should be enough players who are not free agents where it could work. The injury facto may actually be most favorable if held in November due to having more time to recover.

**Stu** · 03-10-2006, 02:14 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Originally posted by glucklich

What is foremost however is to have a best foot forward representation and having this during spring training assures that least of all the scenarios. Also, there should be enough players who are not free agents where it could work. The injury facto may actually be most favorable if held in November due to having more time to recover.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to having it November, I just think far less players would be willing to participate without compensation. To them, it would be like making them work during vacation and not paying them for it.

I agree that there are enough players if you take FA's out but it would suck to have situations where we'd be saying "Albert Pujols is a free agent this year, guess he isn't playing."

I agree on the fact that injuries would do the least amount of damage in November from an organizational standpoint, but I don't think most players would see it this way.

**Misfit** · 03-10-2006, 02:14 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

March. I don't know why so many people are making a fuss over this. No way any free agent would play without a contract, it's not going to happen. Players will always skip out no matter when this is held, and comparing the WBC to the Japan All-Star series is comparing apples and organges. MLB players treat that series much in the same way NFL players treat the Pro Bowl. Having it in March gives the fans something to watch and the players who really want to play in this thing will make sure they are as ready as they can be.

**Pared** · 03-10-2006, 02:19 PM

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Originally posted by nyyanksfan20

Spring Training. If the WBC becomes a sucess this year players won't be dropping out.

That's the key. Players don't want to be involved right now, b/c it's not a "big thing" to some. They make all these excuses...

Once they see how much pride is exactly involved... the juices start flowing... and you want to get out there. Human nature.

That's why Geurrero is headed to join the DR squad...

When should the WBC be played?

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When should the WBC be played?

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