2017 World Baseball Classic

[CptnSerious]

Will anyone ever beat Japan this year? They are undefeated and on a big hot streak.

I'd say Japan is the team to beat, they have been since this tournament has been around even though it's only the 4th one. They seem to always put together a great team. 2 out of 3 so far.

 

[Winger for Hire]

http://mwillis.com/post/158418442019/if-clean-sheet-co-designed-caps-for-the-world

I would buy the crap out of that Netherlands hat

 

[Slush]

USA found their way to take the lead against Venezuala. The Americans were down 2-1 and now are leading 4-2 in the 8th.

 

[TF97]

I swear Hector Rondon implodes every single time I watch him pitch. Sorry, Hector.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

http://mwillis.com/post/158418442019/if-clean-sheet-co-designed-caps-for-the-world

I would buy the crap out of that Netherlands hat

Some were misses but a lot of great looking caps there.

 

[Rob]

Only 16,642 for the US game last night. Does this tournament actually make any money?

 

[rj]

Only 16,642 for the US game last night. Does this tournament actually make any money?

If it didn't, MLB wouldn't have it.

If Mexico was in the game it'd be a larger crowd. Not sure how many Venezuelan expats are in Southern California but not many. Considering time of year they have to have it in warm weather cities and attendance at a lot of games are driven by expats there. When the U.S. played the Dominican in Miami it was the largest crowd to ever see a baseball game at Marlins Park they said.

 

[cutchemist42]

I think MLB thought they could put the blame on SD's bad 2nd round attendance in 09 on the double-elimination format. I think they now just know the city isnt into the tourney. I doubt they go back after this.

I think they figure this thing out more and more each time, as this year's 1st round was up 34% in tickets sold, and thats not inflated, you could tell just by watching.

 

[CptnSerious]

Only 16,642 for the US game last night. Does this tournament actually make any money?

Japan's games had 30-40k+ and attendance in Florida wasn't bad.

 

[Winger for Hire]

The games have been fun, exciting, and competitive AND have the Cinderella runs of the Dutch and Israel AND has the US poised for a final four appearance (fingers crossed) AND the players have shown genuine passion... I'd say the tournament is going quiet well and might very well be the point in time we look at as when the tournament really took hold.

Not World Cup/Olympics/Euro Cup type level, but the next step down.

 

[cutchemist42]

The games have been fun, exciting, and competitive AND have the Cinderella runs of the Dutch and Israel AND has the US poised for a final four appearance (fingers crossed) AND the players have shown genuine passion... I'd say the tournament is going quiet well and might very well be the point in time we look at as when the tournament really took hold.

Not World Cup/Olympics/Euro Cup type level, but the next step down.

Dont even think its a Cindarella run for them. I easily thought they had the 2nd best chance behind Japan to make it to LA. Thought their 25-1 to win it all had big value.

 

[Winger for Hire]

Dont even think its a Cindarella run for them. I easily thought they had the 2nd best chance behind Japan to make it to LA. Thought their 25-1 to win it all had big value.

I agree, but go up to the normal baseball fan on the street and tell them the Netherlands are in the semis of the WBC and I bet you'd get a lot of surprised looks.

 

[CptnSerious]

I agree, but go up to the normal baseball fan on the street and tell them the Netherlands are in the semis of the WBC and I bet you'd get a lot of surprised looks.

They made it to the semis in 2013 too.

 

[Winger for Hire]

I understand that.

It was still a Cinderella run when Gonzaga made the Sweet 16 in 2000 after an Elite 8 run in 1999. Maybe not to Dick Vitale and hardcore college basketball fans, but to the other 90% of the world, it was.

 

[robert terwilliger]

well, go up to a normal baseball fan on the street and they'd probably not know what the world baseball classic is either.

 

[Winger for Hire]

well, go up to a normal baseball fan on the street and they'd probably not know what the world baseball classic is either.

That's certainly a fair point

 

[CptnSerious]

well, go up to a normal baseball fan on the street and they'd probably not know what the world baseball classic is either.

You'd have to be either a casual fan or live under a rock to not know what the World Baseball Classic is.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

You'd have to be either a casual fan or live under a rock to not know what the World Baseball Classic is.

Living up to your screenname.

 

[Tecumseh]

I've met baseball fans who don't know what the WBC is but they were Canadians so they could have just been trying to forget

 

[robert terwilliger]

you'd only know they were canadian baseball fans if they stopped talking to you so they could throw something on the field.

 

[Rob]

Would they ever consider holding the tournament after the World Series?

 

[Winger for Hire]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2017/03/16/the-sizeable-increase-in-tv-viewership-for-the-2017-world-baseball-classic/#7f30b44849d9

I think the MLB will be happy about this

 

[cutchemist42]

Would they ever consider holding the tournament after the World Series?

Their thought is turnout would be even worse for players than what you get in ST.

 

[cutchemist42]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2017/03/16/the-sizeable-increase-in-tv-viewership-for-the-2017-world-baseball-classic/#7f30b44849d9

I think the MLB will be happy about this

Kinda wonder what the USA/DR game does on ESPN. ESPN was still getting better ratings in 06/09 which should be obvious since its on MLBN.

 

[Tecumseh]

Their thought is turnout would be even worse for players than what you get in ST.

I think a tournament in mid-December (done before Christmas) might work. If the games continued to be played in Miami, San Diego, and Los Angeles then weather wouldn't be an issue.