World Baseball Classic!

The World Baseball Classic, has just announced the final rosters for all countries participating this season.  Fans across the world have been patiently waiting for the second coming of the WBC, which gets underway on the 5th of March.  In all, sixteen teams will be competing for the chance to be crowned this year’s champion.  With fifteen of them having their sites set on knocking off the defending champions, from Japan! 

It all starts at the TOKYO DOME, in Tokyo, Japan when China squares off against host country Japan, at 4:30 am EST.  Team USA, who’s roster is filled entirely by Major League Baseball (MLB) players will be competing in Pool C, which includes Canada, Italy and Venezuela.  All the opening round games for teams from Pool C, will be  played at the ROGERS CENTRE, in Toronto, Canada.  Some good news for the USA club is they have two extra days of preparation time before they open up with Canada, on the 7th of March at 2:00 EST.

Those two days could mean a lot for the USA players since it allows them more time to practice and gel as a unit with one another.  It doesn’t matter that they’re all from the majors, without some form of unity any team can and could be eliminated quickly.  As the competition in this tournament style series is fierce and stocked full of talented players on all sides.  Just remember it was only three ago that Japan came in and shocked the entire world in winning the inaugural WBC.

Can team USA get redemption from their poor showing  in 2006?  Do they have enough talent to win it all?  Can they even compete with these teams?  All of these questions plus more will be answered shortly.  Until then just sit back and relax and enjoy the ride.  GO USA!