World Baseball Classic

jack presley

Might as well start a thread about this. It'll be good to see some (semi) serious baseball in March before the regular season starts. It'll probably be better than watching spring training anyway.

http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/index.jsp

I presume ESPNA are showing it?

jack presley

Good to see ESPNA are showing this. Ok it's not full on baseball but it'll definitely be more competitive than spring training games so should be worth watching

smackbunnybaby

Yeah, looking forward to watching something at least!

Was looking at some of the squads. I know Cuba have a good background, but really don't know many of the players bar the starting major leaguers, Chapman and Cespedes.

Anyone familiar?

http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/wbc/2013/teams/index.jsp?team=cub&team_id=798

Also, no idea if these squads are accurate, but the Venezuela infield looks tasty!

http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/wbc/2013/teams/index.jsp?team=ven&team_id=944

Coeus

Looking at the ESPNA schedule they are showing the first few games live from the Asian leg of the classic. Dont see any of the first weeks spring training schedule of games been shown, just collage hoops most nights.

jack presley

Coeus wrote: »

Looking at the ESPNA schedule they are showing the first few games live from the Asian leg of the classic. Dont see any of the first weeks spring training schedule of games been shown, just collage hoops most nights.

If my memory serves me right (and it often doesn't), I don't think they start showing spring training games until mid March. I don't even know if any of the first week or so's games are even broadcast as I don't think MLB.tv show too many early ST games either

BigFatGiant

I didn't think they showed any Spring training games but according to their website they start showing them in March.

"ESPN America is every Major League Baseball fan’s dream, with extensive coverage from Spring Training in March all the way through to the season-ending championship, the World Series, in October."

Last October 28th feels like a long time ago now.

jack presley

BigFatGiant wrote: »

I didn't think they showed any Spring training games but according to their website they start showing them in March.

As i said above my memory isn't great but I remember the first year I had ESPNA (or NASN as it was called at the time) I subscribed during spring training and the first game I got to see was Dice-K's first appearance for Boston. it sticks in my mind because they were obsessing over the amount of Japanese reportes in the crowd at the game. That was either 06 or 07 I think.

jack presley

Well this starts tomorrow. Obviously I'll be giving the Australia v Taipei game at silly o'clock a miss but if I'm up I might tune in for Brazil and Japan at 10:00

Waitsian

I'll most likely tune in to the Canada USA matchup in a week's time, more out of curiosity than anything else. I usually watch the final championship game as well.

rockonollie

Plenty of surprises so far......don't think many would have thought that 2 european teams would be in the second round

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

Plenty of surprises so far......don't think many would have thought that 2 european teams would be in the second round

No and especially as the Dutch had to beat Cuba twice to do it. I know very few (especially in Italy's case) are actually from the country itself but it's a start I suppose.

jack presley

Just tuned in and Italy are already 4-0 up on the Dominican Republic. It's still in the first so plenty of time left a great start nonetheless.

rockonollie

yep....in case you missed it.....the hit a sac fly in the first with the bases loaded, next batter hit a 3 run homer.