World Baseball Classic

critical12 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:48 am

rockbard wrote:

A lot of people (not in this board) are talking about how Mexico's roster is "filled up" with mexican-americans. They're only 6 of them, and they still count as mexicans from what I know. If they benefit from being also american, let them be.

they must be new to the WBC or not know the rules: http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/200 ... sp?sid=wbc

Q: Who is eligible to play in the World Baseball Classic?
A: A player is eligible to participate on a World Baseball Classic team if:

* The player is a citizen of the nation the team represents. (Additionally, if a player is qualified for citizenship or to hold a passport under the laws of a nation represented by a team, but has not been granted citizenship or been issued a passport, then the player may be made eligible by WBCI upon petition by the player or team.)
* The player is a permanent legal resident of the nation or territory the team represents.
* The player was born in the nation or territory the team represents.
* The player has one parent who is, or if deceased was, a citizen of the nation the team represents.
* The player has one parent who was born in the nation or territory the team represents.

Note: In the event a player appropriately appears on more than one provisional roster, he may select the team for which he wishes to play.

several news articles also touch on this topic:

Quote:

Alex Rodriguez played for the U.S. in 2006, but will switch teams for the second World Baseball Classic. Wearing the uniform of the country where he spent several years of his childhood after being born in New York City, A-Rod has company on the Dominican Republic roster.

Mike Gonzalez, a top left-handed reliever who didn't play in 2006. Born in Texas, Gonzalez said he would only play for Team Mexico next March if he didn't earn a spot on Team USA. And two of Team Mexico's other top potential players, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and third baseman Jorge Cantu, were also born in the United States.

The Italian team could feature Val Pascucci and Brian Mazone, both of whom were recently signed by the Dodgers to Minor League contracts.

Both players are native Californians but are of Italian heritage and therefore eligible for Italy's roster. Pascucci is a power hitter who blasted 27 home runs for the Mets' Triple-A affiliate last year and Mazone is a left-handed starter who went 9-12 with a 4.10 ERA for the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate last year.

another player that comes to mind is Mike Piazza. born in Pennsylvania, he also played for Italy in '06. we could make a roster full of american born players playing for their other home countries.

catcher51 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2009 10:36 pm

I will definitley be watching, esp. since the player i did a log on (MAN i need to update that. viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2015&hilit=Log) might be playing for italy. I wopuild love to watch him. He got an invite, but it will depend on whether or not he is invite to MLB-level spring-trianing or just the minor league spring training.

rockbard · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:17 pm

critical12 wrote:

rockbard wrote:

A lot of people (not in this board) are talking about how Mexico's roster is "filled up" with mexican-americans. They're only 6 of them, and they still count as mexicans from what I know. If they benefit from being also american, let them be.

they must be new to the WBC or not know the rules

I think they're just saying that because they feel is like cheating. I'm from Mexico, and in soccer we're experiencing something like that: too many players that were brazilian or argentinian but then acquired the mexican citizenship and now they're playing for Mexico's national team. It's a very hot topic right now.

critical12 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:31 pm

rockbard wrote:

critical12 wrote:

rockbard wrote:

A lot of people (not in this board) are talking about how Mexico's roster is "filled up" with mexican-americans. They're only 6 of them, and they still count as mexicans from what I know. If they benefit from being also american, let them be.

they must be new to the WBC or not know the rules

I think they're just saying that because they feel is like cheating. I'm from Mexico, and in soccer we're experiencing something like that: too many players that were brazilian or argentinian but then acquired the mexican citizenship and now they're playing for Mexico's national team. It's a very hot topic right now.

i hear what you are saying. i personally think the rules are fair enough. it gives the players the right to decide which home team they want to play for.

now i'm even more excited about the tournament! just got the cable hooked up and although i try to stay away from watching too much tv, i now have ESPN and the MLB network where they will air the WBC games.

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