This was my first game @ McCoy Stadium this year and it was a cold one.  By the end of the game it was 48 degrees with some rain in the air.  I went with my father and brother.  We sat behind homeplate which were pretty good seats in our minds.  The game was interesting in the begining of the game but towards the end, little to no action was scene.  My hands were frozen after scoring the game and it shows a little in the unoffical scorecard as I messed up on some player’s numbers but overall, we all enjoyed the game and looking forward to many more!

Download bufpaw_english_april_22_2006.htm

Download bufpaw_spanish_april_22_2006.htm

I’m not sure if you can determine who still is the best baseball country in the far east from this year’s world baseball classic.  Going into the Classic, Japan was known as the powerhouse team in Far East with talent close to the Major League’s here in America.  Going into the tournament, fans thought that Japan was going to roll over the all the ball clubs in the Far East and proceeded to the final game.  However, for those of you following the classic, this theory is far from being true as Japan needed help from their alias of Team USA to to lose just to advance into the semi-finals; which they did. The match up was set yet again Japan and Korea battling for the final spot into the final game that will happen on Monday.  Very exciting, yet interesting because going into this match-up Korea hadn’t lost a single game in this WBC for some odd reason, Korea seemed to fall apart during the middle of the game causing the Japan team to take a 6-0 lead and never look back pulling them into the finals.

My theory is correct on the issue that it doesn’t matter how many wins you currently have going into a certain game it means nothing during the game.  There are just numbers.Thats the beauty of sports; one day a certain team is on a high and winning all these games but it only takes one mistake to screw things up and that is what happen with Korea last evening.  It was the one thing that propels the team to advance. Well, Korea’s pitches faulted in the middle innings and it was all Japan needed to move forward.

My scorecards got all messed up last night.  While I was listening to the game, three other things were happening at once and I got confused so I don’t have the scorecards availabe to view however, the unoffical box score is availabe for view.  This is "really" unoffical as some batters are not in the correct slot.  Oh well, mistakes will happen and its a good thing this wasn’t the offical one.

Download jpnkor_english_march_18_2006.htm

Download jpnkor_spanish_march_18_2006.htm

Playing baseball on International Scene

In the first year of the World Baseball Classic, those who have been following this tournament should begin to realize that playing baseball on the international scene is a little different then playing baseball in America.  Especially in a tournament that is only two weeks long and every run that is scored is huge in the outcome of the game and weather or not one will move on to the second round.

Team USA’s roster was not built for a two week tournament.  It was built for a season long schedule.  The majority of the hitters on the team like the long ball and forgot how to play some small ball to manufacture runs to win ball games.  Playing small is the way go in my mind for this tournament because that is how your going to win ball games.  You can’t all ways count on your number 4 batter to get up and crank the ball out of the yard.  That was the problem with USA, they seemed forget the fundamentals of baseball.

Fundmental Baseball

If an American baseball fan wants to know what and how to play fundamental baseball is, watch tonight’s game when Korea plays Japan.  Those two teams know how to play the game in all aspects. 

One thing that the World Baseball Classic has taught me is how much American baseball players forgot how to play fundamental baseball, taking infield before games, playing pepper, the little things that will get you ready to play the game and to win ball games. 

Today’s American baseball world, baseball players are more worried on their public appearance then how to improve their game.  It is very rare anymore when you attend a ball game that you will see a coach hit infield ground balls to the players or the outfield catching fly balls before a game.  You don’t see four players off to the side playing pepper.  Matter of fact, I bet you 1 out of 5 players don’t even know what pepper is!  Which is disappointing for American baseball!  Baseball players instead of getting prepared for the game at hand will be in the locker room, eating or fooling around and not on the field getting ready for the game.  Yes, they do take batting practice but only to see how far they can hit the ball.  (This line of thought was brought to my attention of Kevin Kennedy of "The Show" on XM 175 Home Plate yesterday the day after Team USA lost to Mexico eliminating them from the tournament)

Asian baseball take a different angle.  Before each game during the WBC, fans and media would see Korea and Japan take batting practice but for a longer period of time and spending about 10 more pitches then normal practice on different swings then others would.  You see the teams taking infield and outfield drills before a game.  When was the last time you saw an American team take infield?  Why?  Well, I think the media plays a big part of it and the contracts.  Fundamental Baseball is so important in tournaments like the WBC because every run means something.  When putting a roster together, the team must look at all aspects of the game.  In a short tournament like this one, you can’t have a all power house ball club, you must have players who can bunt.  Here’s one difference between Asian and American ball.

In the Asian league, you will have your number 4 hitter bunt!  When was the last time you saw a number 4 hitter in America bunt to sacrifice a runner to second? It doesn’t happen. 

If Team USA had a roster filled with player who can bunt, steal and those who can drive for power.  Players who are in the game for the pride and not for camera, then Team USA might have gone a little further.

USA lost to Mexico!  Very disappointing if you a USA fan wanting to see them reach the finals like they were suppose to!  I wasn’t happy watching the game at all last evening only because expection were running high for the USA to be in the finals to play Dominican Republic but now thats not going to happen!  I’d watch out for Korea because I believe they have their number and Japan should beging to realize that Korea is becoming a powerhouse in the Far East! 

Here are the scorecards and unoffical box score of the game!

Download usamex_english_march_162006.htm

Download usamex_spanish_march_162006.htm

This morning, I watched the Korea /Japan game of the World Baseball Classic.  It was a classic as these two powerhouses from the Far east did battle on American soil.  This was interesting, fun and I really enjoyed watching it!  I must say that I’m impressed with the Koreans having not lost a single game in this WBC.  I will be honest in that I thought Japan would be the team in the drivers seat but now they are on their way out depending on what the USA team does tonight against Mexico. Below I’ve attached the scorecards and boxscore (unoffical) of last night games.  Take care!

-mr

Download korjpn_english_march_152006.htm

Download korjpn_spanish_march_152005.htm

  Download japusa_march_12_2006.htm Download japusa_spanish_march_12_2006.htm

Hello all –

In less then a month, baseball will be in full action.  As each morning begins, I think to myself how much closer it is to the 2006 baseball season.  It seams that during the month of Janurary is where I get a little anxsious because baseball is around the corner. 

Baseball fans have something else to cheer about: World Baseball Classic!  Joe Nathan who appeared in a interview with Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy on  "The Show" mentioned that there are mixed emotions with this new idea every couple of years.  For me, this is excitied.  I look forward to the Olympics every two years because on the international scene you see and hear about individuals you wouldn’t normal here on a regular basis.  I think what MLb is doing is a great idea for the international scene.  Fans get to see their favorite players that are american get to play on the same team. Another reason is just look at the players participation in the tournment for the United States!  All of them could be hall of famers and most certainly all-stars. 

The US team will have a strong lineup with a deep ballpen the when games are in session, will only see a small glimpse of the ballpen with having 13 pitches in the ballpen.

I can’t wait for this things to get under way and even better looking forward to hearing games other then the US on XM radio!  Good luck USA!

Take Care,

MR

Politicals and baseball should be separate!  Let baseball players play the game they grew with and let them play ball!  Is there anything wrong with the idea?  I don’t think so.  Politicals should stay in a governement setting laws, bills and policies for the local and national setting while baseball players like David Ortiz, Ken Griffey Jr. who love the game of baseball should get dressed, go onto the field and play!

I’m referring to the World Baseball Classic and more spedficly, the US Department of Treasury not allowing Cuba to play in the World Baseball Classic.  It is clear to the naked eye that Cuba and the United States do not get along since communiust has reigned over that country. 

In my mind, there should be nothing stoping Cuba from playing in a tournment with the United States.  Both countries have played in the Olympics before why is this special tournment that will change the way Major League Baseball is viewed be any different?  I can’t say.

The U.S. Department of Treasury has crossed the line by telling MLB that Cuba is not allowed into this event. I’m all set with any further comment on this matter.

Cuba can’t send team to WBC

I’m looking forward to hearing this off season who will be playing in the World Baseball Classic.  Personally, baseball should have done something like this years ago.  It is exciting for both sides – fans and players.  This will be the first time that something like this has happened in MLB.  Only one drawback I find right now is the idea of having the games during Spring Training.  But then, I ask myself when can baseball have the event?  During the season? I don’t think that will fly! 

Anyway, I’m looking forward to the event and will write some blogs on it.