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Alan Schwartz of Baseball America says that in the next couple days MLB will announce plans for a World Cup-style tournament, starting next spring. It would consist of 16 teams and will take place over three weeks in March. Teams representing countries in Latin America, the Pacific Rim, the US, Italy and South Africa would compete using their best players, including major leaguers. It will of course be voluntary, but major league teams will not be allowed to keep their players from participating.

I think this could be a lot of fun. What are your thoughts?

I think this could be a lot of fun. What are your thoughts?

Very cool.

I've always enjoyed competitions that stack our best players against someone else's best players in order to see how we fare.

It will be interesting to see which players are willing to take part though.

It could also make for some interesting cards - ideally just inserts...

-Bob

while we are on the subject, why is it called the world series. i thought it was just MLB teams involved?

while we are on the subject, why is it called the world series. i thought it was just MLB teams involved?

Good point its because we Americans want to feel like we're the best at something even if we haven't proved it . Although I don't see any other country beating our "World Series" team in a 7 game series.

It will be interesting to see which players are willing to take part though.

Most of the foreign born US players probably will particpate because they aren't as selfish and full of themselves. (except Pedro)

I know one person who will surely not be going........ BARRY BONDS

Anyways sounds like a fun idea!

while we are on the subject, why is it called the world series. i thought it was just MLB teams involved?

Actually, in 1884, the championship series was called "The Championship of the United States." Newspapers called the winner the "World Champions" though which seems to have led to the name "World Series".

Click here for World Series history at the Baseball Almanac web site.

-Bob

we have this problem aswell between clubs, their players and their countries. In the english soccer game, when a player is called up by the england team coach, the player is expected to show up. However due to a stupid amount of irellevent games(such as the U.S tour next month) many clubs are refusing to let players go on tour. But in the end, the player is often forced to play for his country, unless he personally doesnt want to of course. which as you can guess doesnt go down very well with the fans.

This is why when the england team comes to play two games in the U.S next month, the team will be without many of the major stars such as David Beckham as their clubs have told them to rest.

Click here for the official press release about the first World Baseball Classic scheduled for March 2006.

-Bob