Anubis2051
03-09-2009, 09:52 AM
So with the WBC underway, I started thinking about where the next games would be played. Since there has been speculation that the teams would be expanded to 24 from the 16 currently involved, I drafted 6 divisions instead of the four. To fill in the extra spaces, I chose from the countries that applied for the 2009 WBC. so here it is:
Pool A
China
Tawain
Japan
Korea
Host- Korea (Sajik Baseball Stadium)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2594950912_24182cd61f.jpg?v=0
This division remained unchanged. Since Japan has hosted twice, I figured it was time to spread the WBC love around the far east division, and Korea was the best available option.
Pool B
Australia
United States
Canada
South Affrica
Host- Canada (BC Place)
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/manicjaguar/Baseball/baseballclassic1.jpg
This one will probably prove controversial. I structured the division by placing the four English speaking nations who have been in the tournament from the start together. I placed the game at BC place to give Vancouver the chance to prove that it can be ready for baseball, particularly with the recent renovations. If the WBC in BC proves successful, an MLB Team may be stationed there in the future.
Pool C
Italy
Netherlands
Sweden
Israel
Host- Netherlands (Neptunus Family Stadion)
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/images/1/19/Neptunus_stadion.jpg
I figured it was time that WBC baseball was played in Europe, and Neptunus seems to be the top ballpark over there. While the capacity is low, I'm sure that temporary seating could be added to increase the capacity. This division was structured by adding the two original European countries, as well as two newcomers, both of whom applied in '09. Israel would have the option of fielding Jewish players from other nations.
Pool D
Panama
Cuba
Venezula
Mexico
Host- Mexico (Estadio Monterrey)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Estadiomty.jpg/800px-Estadiomty.jpg
Three Latin American Nations make up this division. Estadio Monterry is considered one of the best ballparks internationally, and is modeled after Jack Murphy Stadium.
Pool E
Dominican Republic
Puerto Rico
Nicaragua
Colombia
Host- Dominican Republic (Estadio Quisqueya)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Estadio_Quisqueya.JPG
Two more Latin American teams were added here, and the Dominican was selected as the host since they considered pulling out of the '09 WBC if they were not given hosting rights.
Pool F
Russia
France
Great Brittan
Ireland
Host- Great Brittian (Converted Lord's Cricket Ground)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Lords_match_in_progress.jpg/800px-Lords_match_in_progress.jpg
OK, now this division is really going to be a wild card. Four newcomer European teams (all of whom applied, and all of whom have a very slim interest in the sport). The goal here is really to attempt to grow the game in europe, and attempts to build off of traditional rivalries between GB-France, and GB-Ireland. It's doubtful that any of these teams will make it far in the tournament, but it's baseball, so you never know. Lord's was chosen based on the past interest expressed in hosting an MLB regular season game, as well as a high seating capacity.
Pool A
China
Tawain
Japan
Korea
Host- Korea (Sajik Baseball Stadium)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2594950912_24182cd61f.jpg?v=0
This division remained unchanged. Since Japan has hosted twice, I figured it was time to spread the WBC love around the far east division, and Korea was the best available option.
Pool B
Australia
United States
Canada
South Affrica
Host- Canada (BC Place)
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/manicjaguar/Baseball/baseballclassic1.jpg
This one will probably prove controversial. I structured the division by placing the four English speaking nations who have been in the tournament from the start together. I placed the game at BC place to give Vancouver the chance to prove that it can be ready for baseball, particularly with the recent renovations. If the WBC in BC proves successful, an MLB Team may be stationed there in the future.
Pool C
Italy
Netherlands
Sweden
Israel
Host- Netherlands (Neptunus Family Stadion)
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/images/1/19/Neptunus_stadion.jpg
I figured it was time that WBC baseball was played in Europe, and Neptunus seems to be the top ballpark over there. While the capacity is low, I'm sure that temporary seating could be added to increase the capacity. This division was structured by adding the two original European countries, as well as two newcomers, both of whom applied in '09. Israel would have the option of fielding Jewish players from other nations.
Pool D
Panama
Cuba
Venezula
Mexico
Host- Mexico (Estadio Monterrey)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Estadiomty.jpg/800px-Estadiomty.jpg
Three Latin American Nations make up this division. Estadio Monterry is considered one of the best ballparks internationally, and is modeled after Jack Murphy Stadium.
Pool E
Dominican Republic
Puerto Rico
Nicaragua
Colombia
Host- Dominican Republic (Estadio Quisqueya)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Estadio_Quisqueya.JPG
Two more Latin American teams were added here, and the Dominican was selected as the host since they considered pulling out of the '09 WBC if they were not given hosting rights.
Pool F
Russia
France
Great Brittan
Ireland
Host- Great Brittian (Converted Lord's Cricket Ground)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Lords_match_in_progress.jpg/800px-Lords_match_in_progress.jpg
OK, now this division is really going to be a wild card. Four newcomer European teams (all of whom applied, and all of whom have a very slim interest in the sport). The goal here is really to attempt to grow the game in europe, and attempts to build off of traditional rivalries between GB-France, and GB-Ireland. It's doubtful that any of these teams will make it far in the tournament, but it's baseball, so you never know. Lord's was chosen based on the past interest expressed in hosting an MLB regular season game, as well as a high seating capacity.