The World Baseball Classic has been moving along at a rapid pace. I was hoping to maybe write a post about my nieces softball weekend today, but I decided I need to push that until tomorrow and get you all caught up on what is happening in the world of baseball. It's a bit funny that MLB games are still taking place in Spring training while the WBC is happening all over the world. There are a couple teams that have started to prove themselves to be the real contenders this year. Probably about the same ones you would expect, but sometimes you never know what might happen in baseball.
I was chatting with someone the other day in the comments who had never been to a baseball game before. It's certainly an experience you need to have at least once in your life. I can understand why some find it to be a boring sport, but the atmosphere really makes up for the slow pace of the game. Add to that the fact that they have some different rules for the WBC and I think it would be a truly amazing thing to see live. I was explaining that the crowd at these games seem to be more the style you would see at a soccer match versus a baseball game. Especially in the Tokyo games they are chanting and singing, it is pretty cool. Even from my side of the TV!
Then again, you have some games where it looks like the stadium is half full. I actually expected a bit more attendance for some of the games down south, but I guess it is probably hard to get away from the office in the middle of March.
Friday there were eight games played. Japan hammered Chinese Taipei 13 to 0, Cuba beat Panama 3 to 1, and Venezuela took down the Netherlands 6 to 2. Mexico had a nice win over Great Britain 8 to 2, Puerto Rico shut out Colombia 5 to 0, and The Dominican Republic throttled Nicaragua 12 to 3. Finally, the US beat Brazil 15 to 5, and Chinese Taipei had a nice rebound game against Czechia 14 to 0.
Saturday gave us another eight games with Japan edging out Korea 8 to 6, Columbia fell to Canada 8 to 2, and The Netherlands took down Nicaragua 4 to 3. Italy blanked Brazil 8 to 0, Panama fell short of Puerto Rico 4 to 3, and Venezuela took down Israel 11 to 3. Finally on Saturday, The US had a good game against Great Britain 9 to 1 and Chinese Taipei beat Korea 5 to 4.
Sunday we only had seven games with Japan beating Australia 4 to 3, Cuba took down Colombia 7 to 4, and The Dominican Republic hammered The Netherlands 12 to 1. Italy bested Great Britain 7 to 4, Israel shut out Nicaragua 5 to 0, and Panama and Mexico were winners over Canada and Brazil respectively 4 to 3, and 16 to 0.
Monday we had another seven games with Korea taking down Australia 7 to 2 in the early morning game. It's been fun staring my day with baseball over the past week. I am going to be a bit sad when it is over. The Dominican Republic showed no mercy to Israel beating them 10 to 1, and Colombia edged out Panama 4 to 3. Great Britain took down Brazil 8 to 1, Puerto Rico beat Cuba 4 to 1, and Venezuela shut out Nicaragua 4 to 0. Finally, in the late game last night, the US took down Mexico 5 to 3.
Today there are only four games on the schedule and I am currently watching the tight game between Czechia and Japan. It's tied 0 to 0 in the bottom of the 7th inning and it just feels like Japan is one pitch away from opening this game up. They currently have 7 hits to their opponents 2, but they just haven't been able to get anyone across the plate. Later today Israel takes on the Netherlands, Canada faces Puerto Rico, and Italy takes on The US.
Tomorrow finishes up pool play with Canada facing Cuba, Italy taking on Mexico, and The Dominican Republic going head to head with Venezuela. After that we get a day off on Thursday before the Quarterfinals start up on Friday. Right now Korea and Japan are the only two teams that have clinched their spot in the Quarterfinals.
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