Wednesday, April 29, 2009
WBC - English Baseball still far behind.
Great Britain’s omission from the World Baseball Classic was not a surprise to anyone, in fact it was already known in 2006 that earliest WBC they could take part in would be 2013.
Baseball’s popularity lags way behind other sports in the UK with the like of Tennis, Cricket, Football and even Ice Hockey all have a bigger presence in Britain.
Without a drastic surge in popularity in the sport, facilities will not have to chance to improve, nor will the sport be recognised by local councils as a sport which deserves to receive funding.
Most clubs around the country simply play on a patch of grass with a fence behind home plate. As for the state of clubhouses some are on the verge of being classed as sheds. With clubs facilities being at such a low level it is no wonder that MLB overlooked GB for the Classic in 2009, even though the national team have proved that they can compete at a high level by finishing second in the Euro Championships, it is hard to see how the team can continue playing at such a high standard with grass roots baseball at quite a poor standard.
However there is a small change beginning to happen, teams are slowly beginning to expand fielding two to three adult teams, as well as a number of youth teams.
The London Mets seem to be leading the expansion and this season have decided to field a third senior team the London Marauders who will take part British A Division. The expansion to three senior teams indicates the popularity of the sport is increasing.
However despite the expansion of the Mets other clubs in England do not enjoy the high population of London and attracting new players is difficult. The Mets’ initiative may not be enough to have a major impact of GB’s chances of playing in 2013 and Channel Five’s baseball Analyst Josh Chetwynd believes the UK is still some way behind other European countries.
“I don't think any development in the works for the Mets would have an impact on GB and the 2013 WBC. Throughout the country, facilities lag compared to a number of other European countries that have not participated in the WBC -- like Germany and Czech Republic. If the Mets were able to build a proper stadium (which I don't foresee happening anytime soon because of costs and planning permissions) it might indicate to MLB that development is happening at a faster rate than anticipated in the UK”
With such few English players applying their trade in America the MLB is still not convinced that GB is ready to take part in the WBC. The lack of English players in the majors would mean that GB’s team ,full of amateurs would be taking on some on the world’s biggest baseballing names.
“I think there are other metrics that GB would need to improve -- such as indigenous players signing with Major League clubs (another area where we're far behind many European countries). Obviously, GB's performance at the Euros in 2007 shows how well the national team programme is running and I believe that MLB would love to see GB succeeding in baseball, but I believe that domestic baseball does have a long way to go to being among the elite of European baseball (beyond our senior national team).”
If the WBC does expand to the rumoured 24 teams then Great Britain could certainly be one of the front runners for one of the extra places available but even if all the teams in the UK expanded to two teams, it still may not be enough for 2013.
“As for the value of the Mets expansion, it certainly can't hurt. The more teams and the more players involved in the game, the stronger the game will be. That said, I don't think there is a direct correlation at this point.”
Baseball’s popularity lags way behind other sports in the UK with the like of Tennis, Cricket, Football and even Ice Hockey all have a bigger presence in Britain.
Without a drastic surge in popularity in the sport, facilities will not have to chance to improve, nor will the sport be recognised by local councils as a sport which deserves to receive funding.
Most clubs around the country simply play on a patch of grass with a fence behind home plate. As for the state of clubhouses some are on the verge of being classed as sheds. With clubs facilities being at such a low level it is no wonder that MLB overlooked GB for the Classic in 2009, even though the national team have proved that they can compete at a high level by finishing second in the Euro Championships, it is hard to see how the team can continue playing at such a high standard with grass roots baseball at quite a poor standard.
However there is a small change beginning to happen, teams are slowly beginning to expand fielding two to three adult teams, as well as a number of youth teams.
The London Mets seem to be leading the expansion and this season have decided to field a third senior team the London Marauders who will take part British A Division. The expansion to three senior teams indicates the popularity of the sport is increasing.
However despite the expansion of the Mets other clubs in England do not enjoy the high population of London and attracting new players is difficult. The Mets’ initiative may not be enough to have a major impact of GB’s chances of playing in 2013 and Channel Five’s baseball Analyst Josh Chetwynd believes the UK is still some way behind other European countries.
“I don't think any development in the works for the Mets would have an impact on GB and the 2013 WBC. Throughout the country, facilities lag compared to a number of other European countries that have not participated in the WBC -- like Germany and Czech Republic. If the Mets were able to build a proper stadium (which I don't foresee happening anytime soon because of costs and planning permissions) it might indicate to MLB that development is happening at a faster rate than anticipated in the UK”
With such few English players applying their trade in America the MLB is still not convinced that GB is ready to take part in the WBC. The lack of English players in the majors would mean that GB’s team ,full of amateurs would be taking on some on the world’s biggest baseballing names.
“I think there are other metrics that GB would need to improve -- such as indigenous players signing with Major League clubs (another area where we're far behind many European countries). Obviously, GB's performance at the Euros in 2007 shows how well the national team programme is running and I believe that MLB would love to see GB succeeding in baseball, but I believe that domestic baseball does have a long way to go to being among the elite of European baseball (beyond our senior national team).”
If the WBC does expand to the rumoured 24 teams then Great Britain could certainly be one of the front runners for one of the extra places available but even if all the teams in the UK expanded to two teams, it still may not be enough for 2013.
“As for the value of the Mets expansion, it certainly can't hurt. The more teams and the more players involved in the game, the stronger the game will be. That said, I don't think there is a direct correlation at this point.”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
WBC causing teams concern.
Major League Baseball seems to be feeling the after-effects of the World Baseball Classic after a number of players have failed to perform in the early season and a number of stars have been placed on the disabled list(DL).
The latest star to land on the DL is Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka who is suffering from what the club is calling ‘shoulder fatigue’ an injury which could put the Japanese' season in jeopardy.
Matsuzaka was named most valuable player of the tournament posting a 3-0 record with a 2.45 ERA in the tournament, winning all three of his starts, including his victory over the United States in the semi-finals.
Matsuzaka follows his international teammate Ichiro Suzuki to the DL, who went on the disabled list for the first time in his eight year Major League career with a bleeding ulcer.
Boston’s starting pitcher is not the only pitcher who is suffering, Roy Oswalt of the Houston Astros who started for team USA has yet to win a single decision this season and has some scouts wondering if the veteran fireballer is suffering from an injury due to the WBC.
During the tournament American League MVP Dustin Pedroia was one of several players to be injured along with Chipper Jones and Florida Marlins closer Matt Lindstrom, who after coming back from injury is struggling to return to form posting a 10.80 ERA.
However despite the number of injuries sustained in the WBC, MLB released figures stating that there were 69 players on disabled lists at the start of the season, down from 106 last year and 97 in 2007.
And despite these figures the WBC still comes in for some criticism especially with regards to its timing. Played before the start of the season some believe that it is the wrong time of year to be hosting such a major tournament and that it would be better suited to the end of the season like the World Cup in football.
One option is to start the WBC after the end of spring training, giving players a chance to be fully game ready and reduce the risk of injury, but problems could occur when the season would be forced to move two weeks further in the year and with the World Series being played in October weather could cause considerable problems for the event.
It remains clear that the Classic remains a work in progress and as long as the players want to take part then we will keep seeing the WBC return, but until the US takes the tournament seriously and a new time slot is found the Classic will fail to become a priority for fans and athletes alike.
The latest star to land on the DL is Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka who is suffering from what the club is calling ‘shoulder fatigue’ an injury which could put the Japanese' season in jeopardy.
Matsuzaka was named most valuable player of the tournament posting a 3-0 record with a 2.45 ERA in the tournament, winning all three of his starts, including his victory over the United States in the semi-finals.
Matsuzaka follows his international teammate Ichiro Suzuki to the DL, who went on the disabled list for the first time in his eight year Major League career with a bleeding ulcer.
Boston’s starting pitcher is not the only pitcher who is suffering, Roy Oswalt of the Houston Astros who started for team USA has yet to win a single decision this season and has some scouts wondering if the veteran fireballer is suffering from an injury due to the WBC.
During the tournament American League MVP Dustin Pedroia was one of several players to be injured along with Chipper Jones and Florida Marlins closer Matt Lindstrom, who after coming back from injury is struggling to return to form posting a 10.80 ERA.
However despite the number of injuries sustained in the WBC, MLB released figures stating that there were 69 players on disabled lists at the start of the season, down from 106 last year and 97 in 2007.
And despite these figures the WBC still comes in for some criticism especially with regards to its timing. Played before the start of the season some believe that it is the wrong time of year to be hosting such a major tournament and that it would be better suited to the end of the season like the World Cup in football.
One option is to start the WBC after the end of spring training, giving players a chance to be fully game ready and reduce the risk of injury, but problems could occur when the season would be forced to move two weeks further in the year and with the World Series being played in October weather could cause considerable problems for the event.
It remains clear that the Classic remains a work in progress and as long as the players want to take part then we will keep seeing the WBC return, but until the US takes the tournament seriously and a new time slot is found the Classic will fail to become a priority for fans and athletes alike.
Monday, April 21, 2008
The World Baseball Classic
In every way you look at it is hard to justify the name of the World Series of Baseball. Two teams from Major League Baseball (MLB) take part in a best of 7 game series. Not at one point do the teams from the MLB play against teams from around the world (with the exception of the Toronto Blue Jays who play in Canada) and to claim that a team are the champions of the world is very far from the truth.
While it is true that the best player’s play in the MLB and that they come from different countries from around the world, the fact still remains that the World Series is a domestic competition.
So when the World Baseball Classic (WBC) was announced in 2006 it was a chance to see what some would consider as the real World Series, a tournament in which nation’s could compete for the first time.
Making its second appearance, this year’s tournament surpassed its inaugural year and was met with a genuine anticipation with team USA being many people’s favorite to claim first place.
Boasting some of the biggest names in the game such as David Ortiz, Jimmy Rollins and Ichiro Suzuki the Classic has really become the closest thing to a real World Series Of Baseball.
However, some believe that the success of the of the WBC is purely dependent on the USA's involvement and progress in the tournament.But during the group stage the US failed to sell out any of their games, even against fierce rivals Canada. The situation failed to improve in the knockout stages where in Dolphin Stadium Florida, the US only managed to draw a crowd of over 30,000 on one occasion.
Compare this to Japan’s first three games where they pulled an average crowd of 43,982 and even in the second round which they played in San Diego California they managed an average attendance of 15023 in a foreign country.
The tournament has come in for some criticism from some people in the media who believe that it interrupts the MLB's preparation for the regular season and causes injury to the players before the season has even started. The media have also questioned the attitude of team USA claiming the players and management see the whole tournament as an exhibition, whereas countries like Japan play seriously with a will to win.
Despite these criticisms, the US did make an effort on and off the field, hosting team dinners paid for by captain Derek Jeter and competing hard for every ball during games. Even this sort of unity couldn’t bring the US success as they lost to eventual winners and WBC holders Japan.
While it is true that the best player’s play in the MLB and that they come from different countries from around the world, the fact still remains that the World Series is a domestic competition.
So when the World Baseball Classic (WBC) was announced in 2006 it was a chance to see what some would consider as the real World Series, a tournament in which nation’s could compete for the first time.
Making its second appearance, this year’s tournament surpassed its inaugural year and was met with a genuine anticipation with team USA being many people’s favorite to claim first place.
Boasting some of the biggest names in the game such as David Ortiz, Jimmy Rollins and Ichiro Suzuki the Classic has really become the closest thing to a real World Series Of Baseball.
However, some believe that the success of the of the WBC is purely dependent on the USA's involvement and progress in the tournament.But during the group stage the US failed to sell out any of their games, even against fierce rivals Canada. The situation failed to improve in the knockout stages where in Dolphin Stadium Florida, the US only managed to draw a crowd of over 30,000 on one occasion.
Compare this to Japan’s first three games where they pulled an average crowd of 43,982 and even in the second round which they played in San Diego California they managed an average attendance of 15023 in a foreign country.
The tournament has come in for some criticism from some people in the media who believe that it interrupts the MLB's preparation for the regular season and causes injury to the players before the season has even started. The media have also questioned the attitude of team USA claiming the players and management see the whole tournament as an exhibition, whereas countries like Japan play seriously with a will to win.
Despite these criticisms, the US did make an effort on and off the field, hosting team dinners paid for by captain Derek Jeter and competing hard for every ball during games. Even this sort of unity couldn’t bring the US success as they lost to eventual winners and WBC holders Japan.
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