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.

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

 

 

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. 

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.

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

 

Pool E tightens up.

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

 

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? 

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

 

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

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. 

Nobody cares, eh?

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

Surprise. Surprise. (Not so much.)

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

There she blows!

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