It's Not The World Cup, It's The World Baseball Classic!

It was a grim day when the Olympic Committee announced to the World that baseball would no longer be an Olympic sport, citing that the sport was too "American" to be represented in an international sports event. The last Olympic baseball games will be played at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games but will disappear for the 2012 London Olympics and thereafter.

Well, it is time for them to perhaps consider removing the "American" tag on baseball when this Spring rolls around. The first World Baseball Classic is here, and here to stay. The Olympic games, held in the summer, were not an option for MLB players since baseball season happens at the same time, so there was little interest for baseball fanatics to watch Olympic baseball games. But that will not be the case with the WBC.

Not even three months before the games officially begin and already the final championship games, which will take place in San Diego, CA, are sold out. The United States, along with Japan and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, will be the hosting countries for this world sports event. Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico, South Africa, United States, and Venezuela will compete for the coveted title of the World's Best Baseball Team. With teams as diverse as these, coming from all continets save Antartica, how can anyone call the sport too "American" to be international?

Already the rosters for each country are exceptional. The star-studded Dominican team is the most promising, and most threatening, of the lot. With household names like David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero, and Pedro Martinez among other superstars, there is little doubt the team is strong enough to make it to the finals. The United States also has a variety of MVP's such as Derek Jeeter, Johnny Damon, and baseball legend Roger Clemens. In a controversial turn of events, Alex Rodrigues decided to play for the US team after much speculation that he would play for the Dominican team.

In addition, the WBC's rules include a provision that allow countries to sign second and third generation nationals. Mike Piazza took advantage of this provision and will play for the Italian team. Andruw Jones will play for Netherlands, a team considered to be the underdog of the series. Not-so-lucky Japanese national Hideki Matsui, a.k.a. Godzilla, will not be able to play in the WBC for the Japanese team because of his arrangement with the New York Yankees during Spring training. Barry Bonds will also abstain from the WBC because of his commitments to the San Francisco Giants.

Perhaps the most controversial team in the championship is Cuba. After much debating and opposition from the United States, the Cuban team has been allowed to participate in the event. Supporters of the Cuban team, such as Venezuela and Puerto Rico, had expressed their possible withdrawal from the championship if Cuba was not allowed to participate. Most of the opposition was due to the sanctions the United States has placed on Cuba. The Cuban head of state, Fidel Castro, announced Cuba will donate all proceeds the Cuban team earns, including the grand prize should they win the championship, to the victims of Hurricane Katriana as per embargo agreement.

With major leaguers spread all over the world playing for their respective countries, there is little wonder this will be an interesting sporting event to look out for. The historical and cultural value of the first World Baseball Classic will be forever marked in international sport. Will it be an expected win by the Dominican powerhouse or will the underdog Netherlands team fill with enthusiasm and take the title east of the Atlantic? Perhaps we'll see another victory by the Olympic-winning Australian team or a rumble between the Far East and the Latin World? More than a baseball match, it sounds like spicy cuisine... Only one way to find out who will be victor: Tune in between March 3 and March 20, 2006, to find out.

Posted: 10:29 a.m. EST January 25, 2006 by Anayma Abderhazy