Baseball World Cup '06

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Originally Posted by Zen v.W.o. But I find it funny how they are doing all of this, after the Olympic commitee decided to boot baseball and softball from official competition. Kind of a desperate ploy to say yeah, baseball is worthy enougyh to be in the games.

Well considering this was in the plans long before the IOC dropped the sport and also that baseball is still going to be played in the 2008 games I don't think that's a very accurate statement.

[Zen v.W.o.]

Well I dont know..you can even see it in the way they ran the derby..making it some nationalistic rubbish. Personally, there were a few players from the dominican I would have liked to have seen participate in it. Instead you are now limited due to this new rule.

[The Miz]

Originally Posted by Zen v.W.o. So what's Canada got? Eric Gagne Morneau Walker Koch Stairs Koskie? Is he a canuck? Cormier Bergeron I cant recall any more right now. Someone fill this roster out and make us look like legit contenders.

1. Jason Bay, CF
2. Pete Orr, 2B
3. Justin Morneau, 1B
4. Larry Walker, RF
5. Corey Koskie, 3B
6. Matt Stairs, LF
7. Cody McKay, C
8. Simon Pond, DH
9. Dan Klassen, SS

1. Rich Harden
2. Erik Bedard
3. Jeff Francis
4. Shawn Hill

Rheal Cormier
Paul Quantrill
Ryan Dempster
Aaron Myette
Jesse Crain
Eric Gagne - closer

[weather vane]

Dominican is gonna kill everyone.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Venezuela's lineup could look relatively competitive

Bobby Abreu CF
Richard Hidalgo LF
Magglio Ordonez RF
Miguel Cabrera DH
Melvin Mora 3B
Carlos Guillen SS
Victor Martinez C
Andres Galarraga 1B ()
Miguel Cairo 2B

Ramon Hernandez C
Omar Vizquel IF
Caesar Izturis IF
Roger Cedeno OF

Johan Santana
Carlos Zambrano
Freddy Garcia
Kelvim Escobar
Carlos Silva

Francisco Rodriguez
Jorge Julio
Ugueth Urbina
Giovanni Carrara
Juan Rincon
Rafael Betancourt

Not a very deep team but a lot of star potential up front. I see them finishing 4th or 5th.

[The Miz]

A-Rod says he's gonna play for the DR. LOOK OUT

[The Miz]

My Venezuelan lineup

1. Cesar Izturis 2B
2. Miguel Cabrera LF
3. Bobby Abreu CF
4. Melvin Mora 3B
5. Magglio Ordonez RF
6. Richard Hidalgo DH
7. Ramon Hernandez C
8. Henry Blanco 1B
9. Carlos Guillen SS

Victor Martinez C
Miguel Cairo 2B
Jose Castillo 2B
Edgardo Alfonzo 3B
Alex Gonzalez SS
Endy Chavez OF

1. Johan Santana L
2. Kelvim Escobar R
3. Freddy Garcia R
4. Carlos Zambrano R
5. Gustavo Chacin L

Rafael Betancourt
Jorge Julio
Juan Rincon
Ugueth Urbina
Wilfredo Ledezma
Giovanni Carrara
Francisco Rodriguez - closer

I really like their starting 5 but their lineup is a little weak

[The Miz]

I'm bored

Dominican Republic
1. Miguel Tejada SS
2. Alex Rodriguez 3B
3. Vladimir Guerrero RF
4. David Ortiz DH
5. Albert Pujols 1B
6. Manny Ramirez LF
7. Jose Guillen CF
8. Miguel Olivo C
9. Alfonso Soriano 2B

Alberto Castillo C
Julio Franco 1B
Luis Castillo 2B
Aramis Ramirez 3B
Rafael Furcal SS
Juan Encarnacion OF
Wily Mo Pena OF

1. Pedro Martinez R
2. Bartolo Colon R
3. Odalis Perez L
4. Victor de los Santos R
5. Ramon Oritz R

Yhency Brazoban
Damaso Marte
Salomon Torres
Felix Rodriguez
Julian Tavarez
Miguel Batista - closer

I still think their pitching is thin but I honestly do not think it will matter because that lineup is the most insane thing of all time.

[RoXer]

Doctor lookout

[Londoner]

Look people, there's a reason why Baseball was removed from the olympics in 2012.It sucks and hardly anybody plays it, why else do you think funny teams like Africa and Holland have to be entered?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Originally Posted by TL Look people, there's a reason why Baseball was removed from the olympics in 2012.It sucks and hardly anybody plays it, why else do you think funny teams like Africa and Holland have to be entered?

Because they have teams to compete with? So like I said in the other thread, why aren't cricket and rugby Olympic sports? HMMMMMMMMMM

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by Supreme Because they have teams to compete with? So like I said in the other thread, why aren't cricket and rugby Olympic sports? HMMMMMMMMMM

Because there is too much cricket being played anyway, and same goes for Rugby. Those sports i'm not a big fan of though(well, maybe cricket, but they're messing around with it too much).

Oh and just so you know Lord's cricket ground is hosting Archery.(i think that's the name of the sport-i don't know because i don't follow it)So atleast they're involving cricket in some way!

[Supreme Olajuwon]

So there is too much cricket and rugby being played, yet the IOC decided there wasn't enough soccer being played? That makes a lot of sense.

[Londoner]

Yes it does make sense, the difference is it's under 23's football. And cricket/rugby arent as big as football. If you look at cricket, there are only 9 countries competing at the highest level, and two of them are only good enough for club level, so it would be pointless putting cricket in because it doesn't have the resources football has, do you americans(i assume your american?) realise how popular english football is around the world?Sometimes i don't think you do.

Rugby 7's could be in the olympics in the near future though.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

What the fuck are you talking about my man? You just said, "there is too much cricket being played anyway," and then you come back with "it would be pointless putting cricket in because it doesn't have the resources football has." Pick a side and go with it. And yes I understand that soccer is the most popular sport in the world. That might be why I used it as an example of a sport that is played too much as you put it yet is still in the Olympics.

And let's not even start discussing how you opened your argument with the reason baseball was removed because "hardly anybody plays it" and then followed up with the next post with the reason rugby and cricket aren't in the Olympics was "because there is too much cricket being played anyway, and same goes for Rugby."

I understand you hate America for whatever reason and hey that's fine with me, but come on. Respect yourself.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

All of those mainstream sports should be cut from the Olympics anyway. Tennis? What the fuck?

Football especially should be cut. There are too many competitions.

[RoXer]

Originally Posted by Supreme What the fuck are you talking about my man? You just said, "there is too much cricket being played anyway," and then you come back with "it would be pointless putting cricket in because it doesn't have the resources football has." Pick a side and go with it. And yes I understand that soccer is the most popular sport in the world. That might be why I used it as an example of a sport that is played too much as you put it yet is still in the Olympics. And let's not even start discussing how you opened your argument with the reason baseball was removed because "hardly anybody plays it" and then followed up with the next post with the reason rugby and cricket aren't in the Olympics was "because there is too much cricket being played anyway, and same goes for Rugby." I understand you hate America for whatever reason and hey that's fine with me, but come on. Respect yourself.

I u

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by El Capitano Gatisto All of those mainstream sports should be cut from the Olympics anyway. Tennis? What the fuck?

Yeah boy, the Olympics should be straight underground, son.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I don't know if you are joking or not. It's not funny, but that doesn't rule out the possibility you were trying to make a joke.

[RoXer]

I chuckled :-/

[El Capitano Gatisto]

You are a cunt.

[RoXer]

:-/

[PureHatred]

Why is ARod playing for the DR? He is the most Americanized, non-Spanish speaking Dominican on the planet. Yeah, his parents are from there, but ARod himself grew up as the typical Upper Middle Class American Teenager. He's about as Dominican as Barry Zito.

My guess is that AJOB didn't have the guts to play for a US team that would be the underdogs. He decided that joining an already stacked DR team was the only way he'd win anything...ever.

Once again...Alex Rodriguez: Little Bitch

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

He has dual citizenship I guess. I like how Hakim was on Team USA for Basketball now A-Rod is on the DR team haha

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by Supreme What the fuck are you talking about my man? You just said, "there is too much cricket being played anyway," and then you come back with "it would be pointless putting cricket in because it doesn't have the resources football has." Pick a side and go with it. And yes I understand that soccer is the most popular sport in the world. That might be why I used it as an example of a sport that is played too much as you put it yet is still in the Olympics.

Er i am explaining the reasons why cricket and rugby arent in the olympics, then you go and rant a bunch of bullshit at me because you can't think of anything else to say. It's impossible to argue with people like you because whenever your proved wrong, or whenevr someone gives their opinion to you and you can't take it, you come back with some smartass comment.

The two things ive said are fucking connected. What i said was 1) There is too much cricket/rugby and football being played. That's true. But 2) Football has the resources to cope with that, where as rugby and cricket don't have the resources to cope because they're not as popular.Same goes for baseball. When i said baseball sucks that was basically my opinion on the sport, just like you hate cricket or rugby or whatever.But yeah lets see what smartass comment you come up with next in order to get people on your side again.

[Londoner]

And by football i mean english football obviously, just to avoid any confusion.

[BCWWF]

I agree with ECG though, its not a bad idea. The summer olympics is based around track and field, gymnastics, rowing, sports like that. They have the best athletes and this is the biggest stage that they compete in.

As international soccer/football goes, the Olympics is one of the lowest international stages. Hell, Iraq was in the semi-finals weren't they? I don't think its a bad idea to take baseball out of the Olympics and give it its own tournament, like rugby and soccer. As of right now, I like basketball and hockey in the Olympics, because it is still the highest stage of the game.

World Series > College World Series > Olympic Baseball

World Cup > CONCACAF Gold Cup > MLS Cup > Olympic Soccer

I don't mind it one bit for baseball.

[Zen v.W.o.]

How is the NHL then not greater than the olympics? Stanley Cup, the ultimate prize, or olympic gold?

The thing with Hockey though is this: You take Hockey out of the winter olympics, and you basically pillage those games. Hockey is your main attraction. And no it isnt fucking skiing or some other BS.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Originally Posted by TL Er i am explaining the reasons why cricket and rugby arent in the olympics, then you go and rant a bunch of bullshit at me because you can't think of anything else to say. It's impossible to argue with people like you because whenever your proved wrong, or whenevr someone gives their opinion to you and you can't take it, you come back with some smartass comment. The two things ive said are fucking connected. What i said was 1) There is too much cricket/rugby and football being played. That's true. But 2) Football has the resources to cope with that, where as rugby and cricket don't have the resources to cope because they're not as popular.Same goes for baseball. When i said baseball sucks that was basically my opinion on the sport, just like you hate cricket or rugby or whatever.But yeah lets see what smartass comment you come up with next in order to get people on your side again.

If rugby doesn't have the resources, then how do they organize a World Cup for both 7's and 15's? Baseball clearly has the resources and has since it became an Olympic sport.

By the way I've been playing rugby for the better part of three years now so don't be so quick to assume things, sir.

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by Supreme If rugby doesn't have the resources, then how do they organize a World Cup for both 7's and 15's? Baseball clearly has the resources and has since it became an Olympic sport. By the way I've been playing rugby for the better part of three years now so don't be so quick to assume things, sir.

I'm not an expert on Rugby's situation, but the Rugby world cup isn't really that strong, the only teams who had any chance of winning were England(which we did) Austrailia(who came second)South Africa and New Zealand.I don't know much about the 7's either but that looks to be growing in popularity, so as i said before it could be in in the near future, but it is only a new sport.

Baseball has only been in because it's an american sport and americans wanted another gold medal next to their countries name.

[Londoner]

Also i listed the sports as 'cricket or ruby or whatever' notice the word 'or'?That means i'm not saying you hate every single one i list, just giving examples.

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by BCWWF I agree with ECG though, its not a bad idea. The summer olympics is based around track and field, gymnastics, rowing, sports like that. They have the best athletes and this is the biggest stage that they compete in. As international soccer/football goes, the Olympics is one of the lowest international stages. Hell, Iraq was in the semi-finals weren't they? I don't think its a bad idea to take baseball out of the Olympics and give it its own tournament, like rugby and soccer. As of right now, I like basketball and hockey in the Olympics, because it is still the highest stage of the game. World Series > College World Series > Olympic Baseball World Cup > CONCACAF Gold Cup > MLS Cup > Olympic Soccer I don't mind it one bit for baseball.

I would actually say the olympics is higher than that for other countries involved with baseball though, take the British team for example, they were crushed when they found out 2 days after the announcement of the Olympics that Baseball was being removed, i find that kinda funny because i didn't even know we had a team.

[BCWWF]

Umm...yeah, the Stanley Cup playoffs isn't an international competition. The Olympics are. Thats how they differ.

[RoXer]

Is Canada no longer a country BCWWF? HMMMMM?

[BCWWF]

It's the country where Scot lives

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Originally Posted by TL Baseball has only been in because it's an american sport and americans wanted another gold medal next to their countries name.

See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I'm all for America bashing but don't make statements that you have no idea what the facts are. Do you know what place the US finished in the Athens games in baseball? Me neither because they didn't even QUALIFY.

Although I guess the US could have used another medal so they would win the medal count by 41 instead of just a measly 40.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by TL Baseball has only been in because it's an american sport and americans wanted another gold medal next to their countries name.

research before you comment. The US Men's baseball team as never been the most successful team during Olympic play.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by TL Look people, there's a reason why Baseball was removed from the olympics in 2012.It sucks and hardly anybody plays it, why else do you think funny teams like Africa and Holland have to be entered?

Baseball was removed from the Olympics (may be back for the following summer games) due to the lack of involvement from the MLB and it's minor leagues. With the basketball and hockey "dream teams" playing, the IOC hoped that it would be able to lure the MLB for 3 weeks mid-season to play in the games. The interest ran out and baseball, along with softball, was dropped from medal games.

This worked out just fine for the MLB, since they have been after a "world cup" type tournament for the last 15 years. Teams like Italy, South Africa, Australia, and the Netherlands were all playing in the summer games so it made the most sense to invite them to field teams for the World Baseball Classic.

[The Miz]

Bump.

Pencil this in for your U.S.A. rosters:

4. Barry Bonds LF

[Joey Slugs]

I can't wait until we get to see and debate the full rosters for all teams. Could be as soon as the end of this year.

Looks like Cuba will be in as well, meaning that all the teams that were invited have excepted.