World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic was established in order to provide an opportunity for professional players to compete with their worldwide counterparts. Though Americans consider baseball an all American sport, it is actually played by people around the world. Their love of the sport is just as deep and sincere as American players and fans.

What makes the World Baseball Classic especially interesting is that it is the first time professional major league players have been allowed to play on another team and remain playing as professionals. It took a lot of negotiation as you can imagine, because team owners and managers were afraid players would get injured and be unable to fulfill their regular season contracts. But once the unions, management and the players were able to resolve their concerns the World Baseball Classic was born.

The first tournament was the March 2006 World Baseball Classic. Baseballs were pitched according to the rules that are designed to protect professional players from off-season injury. For example, only 65 pitches are allowed in the tournament round one games. The winners of the tournament earned the World Baseball Classic Garner jacket.

The World Baseball Classic program promotes baseball around the world and it also gives fans another opportunity to see their favorite players in action. Baseball fans can never get enough of the game. The 2006 World Baseball Classic was immediately popular and attracted attention from many countries, including Japan.

In fact, the Nippon Professional Baseball association players won the first tournament. This prompts the question as to when is the next World Baseball Classic. The answer is the next tournament is scheduled for 2009.

It is exciting to watch professional players from different countries play baseball. It makes you think of the Olympics and has the same spirit. That makes the Classic fun to watch since players in various countries play the game differently.

The World Baseball Classic is bound to become a part of baseball tradition. Anytime you bring athletes together to compete on the world stage there is a spectacular performance to delight spectators. The Classic honors baseball as a sport that has been adopted by many countries including Japan and Mexico. Why shouldn't the players have some fun and test their skills internationally?

The World Baseball Classic will be held every 4 years so you can enjoy what is truly destined to become part of baseball history on a regular basis.