When should the WBC be played?

[nyyanksfan20]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

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...

BTW Vlad changed his mind on that.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldc...ory?id=2361345

[devilsjaw]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

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:

But, what about all the guys who go play winter league ball in the Carribean? What's the difference?

[Stu]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

But, what about all the guys who go play winter league ball in the Carribean? What's the difference?

The difference is not a lot of American players play winter league ball. I don't think a lot of the Carribean or South American teams would have trouble convincing players to play, but the US would and they're not going to make changes that would put the US at a disadvantage.

[larrygiterdone]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

i voted for middle of the season

[cbgatorade0202]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

BTW Vlad changed his mind on that.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldc...ory?id=2361345

I dont think Vlad ever changed his mind, To me it soundz like DR just got confused and a Rumor went around

[cbgatorade0202]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

The difference is not a lot of American players play winter league ball. I don't think a lot of the Carribean or South American teams would have trouble convincing players to play, but the US would and they're not going to make changes that would put the US at a disadvantage.

due to USA is why all this stuff happens, they will decide everything, I like start of season the best also

[DrJones]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

I'll stick with what I wrote in the main WBC thread...

To me, the ideal WBC format is this:

Have the 16 teams announce 20 of their 30 man roster in the spring, for marketing purposes. Start the season a week earlier than normal. Add 10 additional players to each roster at the end of June (let fans vote for a couple of the players, in lieu of All-Star voting). Cancel the All-Star game, and take a full week off in the first week of July (2 weekends, so 9 days total).

4 groups of 4:

Asian group in Safeco (and maybe Vancouver)
US group in Dodger and Pac Bell (or whatever it's now called)
2 latin groups in Florida/Puerto Rico

After 3 games, top 2 teams from each group advance to single elimination quarterfinals -- 1A vs 2B, etc. These games are held in Fenway and Yankee.

Semifinals and championship game held at Wrigley.

This only adds 6 days to the season, and a maximum of 6 games in 9 days is reasonable IMO. Plus, perfect baseball weather and dates. Canada vs USA In Dodger Stadium on July 4? Cool. Thoughts?

[Stu]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

It would also allow them to rotate the sites so they could bring the WBC to cold weather cities. I like it.

The only problem I see is that they probably wouldn't cancel the all star game and I just can't see having both during the middle of the season.

[glucklich]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

I'll stick with what I wrote in the main WBC thread...

To me, the ideal WBC format is this:

Have the 16 teams announce 20 of their 30 man roster in the spring, for marketing purposes. Start the season a week earlier than normal. Add 10 additional players to each roster at the end of June (let fans vote for a couple of the players, in lieu of All-Star voting). Cancel the All-Star game, and take a full week off in the first week of July (2 weekends, so 9 days total).

4 groups of 4:

Asian group in Safeco (and maybe Vancouver)
US group in Dodger and Pac Bell (or whatever it's now called)
2 latin groups in Florida/Puerto Rico

After 3 games, top 2 teams from each group advance to single elimination quarterfinals -- 1A vs 2B, etc. These games are held in Fenway and Yankee.

Semifinals and championship game held at Wrigley.

This only adds 6 days to the season, and a maximum of 6 games in 9 days is reasonable IMO. Plus, perfect baseball weather and dates. Canada vs USA In Dodger Stadium on July 4? Cool. Thoughts?

Nice choice. That might be worth the 6 block walk.

[Stu]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Selig just addressed this during the USA vs South Africa game.

Regarding November, he said there's no chance. He hasn't talked to a player or GM who thought it was a good idea.

Regarding middle of the season, he said it would be very difficult to stop the season in July because there's so much else going on, and those are their biggest drawing months as far as attendance and don't want to lose that.

Basically he feels like March is the only real option.

[DrJones]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

It would also allow them to rotate the sites so they could bring the WBC to cold weather cities. I like it.

The only problem I see is that they probably wouldn't cancel the all star game and I just can't see having both during the middle of the season.

If the MLB were smart enough to use an idea like this (and they're not), then losing an All-Star game once every 4 years would be acceptable to them. I think there'd be some cool elements to it. Players would be in game shape (minimizing the risk of injury), there'd be an extra incentive for players to make one of those final 10 roster spots, fans get to pick a couple players per team, and the weather and locations would be ideal. Plus, what's going on in the sports landscape in early July? Anything? Wimbledon maybe? If MLB played their cards right, this could be a truly marquee event, and the disruption to the regular season would be minimal.

I tell you, this is gold, Jerry, gold! Quick, get me Bud Selig on the line!

[Stu]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

If the MLB were smart enough to use an idea like this (and they're not), then losing an All-Star game once every 4 years would be acceptable to them. I think there'd be some cool elements to it. Players would be in game shape (minimizing the risk of injury), there'd be an extra incentive for players to make one of those final 10 roster spots, fans get to pick a couple players per team, and the weather and locations would be ideal. Plus, what's going on in the sports landscape in early July? Anything? Wimbledon maybe? If MLB played their cards right, this could be a truly marquee event, and the disruption to the regular season would be minimal.

I tell you, this is gold, Jerry, gold! Quick, get me Bud Selig on the line!

I definitely agree with you. Today is a perfect example of the problems of holding it in March. The USA game isn't even televised because ESPN is showing basketball. The WBC will garner even less attention when the NCAA tourney starts next week.

[DrJones]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Selig just addressed this during the USA vs South Africa game.

Regarding November, he said there's no chance. He hasn't talked to a player or GM who thought it was a good idea.

Regarding middle of the season, he said it would be very difficult to stop the season in July because there's so much else going on, and those are their biggest drawing months as far as attendance and don't want to lose that.

Basically he feels like March is the only real option.

Typical MLB short-sightedness. Obviously, you can't take 2 or 3 weeks off in July. I think one week would work, though.

[Stu]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Typical MLB short-sightedness. Obviously, you can't take 2 or 3 weeks off in July. I think one week would work, though.

I think the opportunity to alternate the later round games between every ballpark in MLB offsets any of the negatives of your idea.

[Stu]

Re: When should the WBC be played?

Another random complaint I have about the current format. Looking at the schedule, the soonest the USA would see Venezuala or the DR would be in the finals. I'm not sure how else they could do it, but it seems like they'd want to have their marquee teams playing each other.