World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament, featuring Major League players, to be first held in March 2006 and in 2009, as well as every four years thereafter. It is the first international baseball tournament to feature major-league players; the Summer Olympics regularly features college and minor-league players, since it conflicts with the MLB season.

Format

The first annual World Baseball Classic will feature 16 teams in a round-robin style tournament. The following draw is accurate as of September 16, 2005 with Cuba being the only nation yet to accept their invitation. Their participation must first be approved by both the U.S. Department of State and Fidel Castro. Bud Selig and other MLB officials have stated that they have a back-up plan in case the Cubans do not participate.

Related Topics:
Round-robin - September 16 - 2005 - Cuba - Department of State - Fidel Castro - Bud Selig

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Pool A

• {{flagicon|ROC}} Taiwan
• {{flagicon|CHN}} China
• {{flagicon|JPN}} Japan
• {{flagicon|KOR}} South Korea

Pool B

• {{flagicon|USA}} United States
• {{flagicon|CAN}} Canada
• {{flagicon|MEX}} Mexico
• {{flagicon|South Africa}} South Africa

Pool C

• {{flagicon|Puerto Rico}} Puerto Rico
• {{flagicon|CUB}} Cuba
• {{flagicon|PAN}} Panama
• {{flagicon|Netherlands}} The Netherlands

Pool D

• {{flagicon|DOM}} Dominican Republic
• {{flagicon|VEN}} Venezuela
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Australia
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Italy

Round One will be played from March 3 to March 11, 2006. Pool A will play their games in Japan, most likely in the Tokyo Dome, Pool C will play their games in Puerto Rico, and Pools B and D will play their games in the United States at Spring Training and Major League facilities. Round Two will be played from March 13 to March 15 in the United States and Puerto Rico. The semifinals on March 18 and the finals on March 20 will be played at Petco Park in San Diego.

Related Topics:
March 3 - March 11 - 2006 - Japan - Tokyo Dome - Puerto Rico - United States - March 13 - March 15 - March 18 - March 20 - Petco Park - San Diego

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