World Baseball Classic (WBC) 2023

[jackspratt]

Just for you, statts - the WBC commences early next month.

Honestly, this is bigger, and a lot more interesting than the soccer rubbish in Qatar a month or so ago.

https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic

Possibly the most exciting, and unexpected news, is that the Poms have qualified for the first time - here is their announced roster.

https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-clas ... at-britain

If you study it closely, it will look a bit like the English test cricket teams of the 90s ie very few actual Englishmen in the lineup.

ps I understand Bonnie Raitt has star billing at the opening ceremony.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

Just for you, statts - the WBC commences early next month.

Honestly, this is bigger, and a lot more interesting than the soccer rubbish in Qatar a month or so ago.

https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic

Possibly the most exciting, and unexpected news, is that the Poms have qualified for the first time - here is their announced roster.

https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-clas ... at-britain


If you study it closely, it will look a bit like the English test cricket teams of the 90s ie very few actual Englishmen in the lineup.

ps I understand Bonnie Raitt has star billing at the opening ceremony.

It should be a classic! I think the Dominican is favoured to win.

[stattointhailand]

I'll nip down to the local lassies school and see if we have any girls who can still be bothered to play rounders when they have the chance to train for the ladies footie team. I unfortunately suspect Bonnie Tyler will be polishing her "gong" and not be able to star during the half time adverts (better look for another Hero 'till the morning light)

[marjamlew]

Aussies play this game Jack? Buggered if I knew that. We any chance of getting out of the group?

[stattointhailand]

Aussies play this game Jack? Buggered if I knew that. We any chance of getting out of the group?

You, me, and 99.99% of the worlds population

I think its on a par with the World Cheese rolling contest

[jackspratt]

Aussies play this game Jack? Buggered if I knew that. We any chance of getting out of the group?

Indeed they do, lew - ranked in the low teens in world rankings, and won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

I would be surprised if they get past the group stage, in a genuine world championship.

Mind you, the Poms, of which there are very few in the GB squad, always have the choice of reverting back to soap dropping, or even shower evasion - competitions at which they are universally acknowledged as Champions of the Universe.

[stattointhailand]

Even in these days of gender confusion, we still dont let the boys play rounders in our schools

[jackspratt]

But I guess they are allowed to roll the cheeses, in the expectation of becoming a world champion.

[jackspratt]

Well statto, the WBC has now concluded with Team Japan officially the best in the world, after defeating the USA team 3-2 in the final. It is the 3rd win for Japan in the 5 times the tournament has been conducted.

The game concluded on a high note of drama, with possibly the best 2 players in the world today, and amongst the best of all time, facing off.

Shohei Ohtani, the Team Japan pitcher, was able to strike out Mike Trout of the US in the top of the 9th innings, to bring the Classic to an end.

Can't wait for WBC6 in 2026.

As a footnote, Team Australia did themselves proud by winning 3 of their 4 1st round games - after only winning a total of 2 games in the previous 4 tournaments - and proceeding to the 2nd round for the first time.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

That was a thrilling and fitting end.