World Baseball Classic 2017 -- the world cup of baseball!

[Jingthing]

It's happening NOW!

 

I think perhaps less than one percent as major an event as the world cup, but hey, ratings aren't everything.

 

Pool A and Pool B has already started in Seoul and Tokyo. 

 

https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/

 

https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/bracket

 

I assume the strongest teams include those with the best baseball traditions -- USA, Canada, Dominican Republic, Cuba.

Europe is represented by Italy and Netherlands.

The underdog surprise team this year is Israel which has almost no baseball tradition.

Edited March 8, 2017 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Israel dominates Pool A.

From underdog to team to watch. Cinderella story in the making? I kind of doubt it, but fun to watch.

 

Team Israel players celebrating with team mascot, Mensch on A Bench:

 

 

https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/bracket

 

Seoul

Gocheok Sky Dome

March 6-10, 2017

Pool A

Rank	Team	W	L
1	ISR	3	0
2	NED	2	1
3	KOR	0	2
4	TPE	0	2

 

 

Edited March 9, 2017 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Japan and Cuba win Pool B so they will take on Israel and the Netherlands in Pool E in Tokyo.

 

I had forgotten Japan was a baseball crazy nation. 

 

Tokyo

Tokyo Dome

March 7-11, 2017

Pool B

Rank	Team	W	L
1	JPN	3	0
2	CUB	2	1
3	AUS	1	2
4	CHN	0	3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in the Americas, pool C and pool D are getting started. 

[Jingthing]

Not surprisingly, both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republican are early dominant in Pools C and D.

In more advanced Pool E, more surprisingly, Israel won the first game against Cuba (4-1). Israel still undefeated in the tournament.

Edited March 12, 2017 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

In the America's section, progressing to Pool F are Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, USA, and one more team TBD that isn't Canada.

 

[Jingthing]

Pool E tightens up.

Cinderella Israel not so Cinderella, losing to Netherlands. 12 - 2! Israel now needs to beat Japan (not likely) to advance. 

 

[Jingthing]

20 hours ago, Jingthing said:

In the America's section, progressing to Pool F are Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, USA, and one more team TBD that isn't Canada.

 

TBD fourth team now determined. It's Venezuela. Canada gone, eh? 

[Jingthing]

OK, now in Pool E it's a must win for Israel vs. Japan.

If Japan wins, then Japan and the Netherlands advance.

If Israel wins, then it's a 3 way 2-1 tie and I'm not sure how that's resolved, but only 2 teams will advance.

Only one game so far in Pool F -- Puerto Rico beat neighboring island Dominican Republic. 

 

Tokyo

Tokyo Dome

March 12-16, 2017

Pool E

Rank	Team	W	L
1	JPN	2	0
2	NED	2	1
3	ISR	1	1
4	CUB	0	3

 

Edited March 15, 2017 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Japan wins, so Netherlands and Japan advance to the SEMIFINALS against two teams from the Americas. 

[Jingthing]

In Pool F competing to take on Netherlands and Japan, Venezuela lost their first two games so out of it. USA and Puerto Rico leading followed by Dominican Republican. 

[Jingthing]

Nobody cares, eh?

[Jingthing]

Wow. It's getting exciting if you can handle that.

USA and Puerto Rico (without a loss) made it through from Pool F and now the semifinals are set for Dodger's Stadium, LA. 

 

It will be:

Netherlands vs. Puerto Rico

and

USA vs. Japan

 

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

Puerto Rico beats the Netherlands 4-3 to make it to the FINALS!

 

[Jingthing]

Surprise. Surprise. (Not so much.)

USA beats Japan 2-1 to enter the FINALS against USA territory Puerto Rico. 

[Jingthing]

There she blows!

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/31426364/v1245449383/must-c-championship-usa-wins-first-classic-title