Scottsdale, Ariz. – The World Baseball Classic is taking some serious heat these days. And it’s not just a dry heat.
Critics have been sniping since the concept was hatched, ripping the timing, the pitch counts, the notable defections. A sign was posted at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla., apologizing to fans for those stars who are gone and playing in the WBC; Major League Baseball had the sign removed.
Despite aggressive promotional work, the WBC has struggled to be taken seriously.
The tournament opens Tuesday in North America, with the United States playing Mexico in Phoenix at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. A difficult birth has prompted an obvious, if not troubling, question: Will it work?
“It’s easy to pick on something. But long after I am done, this event will be responsible for taking the sport all over the world,” commissioner Bud Selig said Sunday during Team USA’s 12-7 victory in an exhibition game against a San Francisco Giants split squad. “I wouldn’t bet against it.”
The 16-team tournament began Thursday in Tokyo with a whimper as only 21,062 fans turned out for a doubleheader. Interest gradually spiked, heightened by South Korea’s upset of Japan. Empty seats – Sunday’s exhibition did not sell out – shouldn’t be an indictment, cautioned Selig, who preaches patience. Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said the tournament’s significance should be viewed through a broad lens.
“In Venezuela this is the biggest deal ever,” Guillen said. “Same with the Dominican Republic. In Venezuela, they had 10,000 watch batting practice.”
Mexican pitcher David Cortes of the Rockies went even further, saying the tournament superseded the Olympics because his team features his country’s best players for the first time. As evidence, 11,000 turned out for Mexico’s dress rehearsal against the Diamondbacks at Tucson Electric Park two days ago.
“Sure the timing of this is not right, but that and the pitch counts are the only things I don’t like,” Cortes said. “I can guarantee you will see a lot of Mexicans in Phoenix for our games. This is huge.”
Added Puerto Rican first baseman Carlos Delgado: “It’s an honor to put on this jersey. We want bragging rights.”
The U.S. presence, while critical, complicates the measurement of the tournament’s success. Team USA manager Buck Martinez admitted Sunday it would be “embarrassing” if his club doesn’t win. But will anybody notice if it doesn’t?
Ticket sales have been sluggish for the opening round at Chase Field, with crowds of 20,000 expected, and the second round in Anaheim, where approximately 100,000 tickets have been bought. The semifinals and championship game in San Diego, March 18 and 20, however, are sold out.
“I believe this will work because everybody loves baseball,” said USA outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. “This is better than watching regular spring training games, which are so boring.”
If a team of all-stars and future Hall of Famers can’t capture the imagination, doesn’t that spell doom? Not necessarily. The WBC will be evaluated on several fronts, including TV ratings on ESPN Deportes and the less- tangible concept of globalization.
“Baseball has always taken a back seat to other sports around the world,” USA shortstop Derek Jeter said. “Sure there are going to be bumps in the road, but this is an important first step.”
Intensity will be closely watched as a litmus test. Guillen predicted fights in the stands and that players will feed off national pride. American players take umbrage with the suggestion these games will resemble a company softball outing.
“It will be just like the regular season,” USA second baseman Chase Utley said. “If you have to take a guy out at second base, you do it.”
The governor placed on pitchers triggers the argument this is a contrived exhibition. Relievers aren’t expected to throw back-to-back days, and starters are limited to 65 pitches in the first round, with the total graduating as the tournament pro- gresses. They can exceed the mandated thresholds to finish an at-bat, but Roger Clemens exiting with two outs in the sixth inning of a potential championship game figures to go over like a line drive to the shins.
“There are going to be a lot of questions anytime you try something new,” USA closer Brad Lidge said. “All I know is that we want to win.”
Hall of Famer Willie Mays said Sunday he would have loved to play in this tournament, reeling off a potential lineup including Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle. Some of today’s players don’t share his enthusiasm. Manny Ramirez, Billy Wagner and Melvin Mora lead a group of notable defectors without doctor’s permission slips.
Before returning to his box seat, Selig, when asked about the sign at the New York Yankees’ complex, provided a parting shot for those who believe the WBC is simultaneously staging its inaugural and final event.
“Sometimes you have to do things that are going to benefit you in the long run,” Selig said, “and in life that requires rising above your own self-interest.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
Baseball going global
Denver Post baseball writer Troy E. Renck breaks down the World Baseball Classic:
Who: Sixteen teams will compete, including the U.S., though only 14 remain after China and Taiwan were eliminated over the weekend.
What: A four-round, round-robin tournament. The top two teams from the four pools advance in the first two rounds. The semifinals and championship game are single-elimination.
When: Runs through March 20. Games in North America begin Tuesday.
Why: The goal is to globalize the sport. Approximately 800,000 tickets have been sold for all venues, and San Diego’s 43,445-seat Petco Park is sold out for the semifinals and championship game. The WBC is scheduled to be played again in 2009, then every four years after that, effectively replacing the Olympics, which will drop baseball after the 2008 Games in Beijing.
