Wednesday, March 08, 2006
THE WBC SHOULD BE ONLY THE FIRST STEP
The World Baseball Classic is a great idea. Sure, it could be implemented better – having a qualifying round would have alleviated most of the issues and playing the games at night or on the weekend so folks can watch the games live would be nice – but it should be embraced. Next time around, it will likely be much better as the players, agents, etc. will be part of the planning process. It will be a negotiated as a part of the new CBA. But the next step in the globalization of baseball should be creating an Australian Fall League down under.
Like NFL Europe, the AUSFL would assist in promoting the game overseas while providing instruction to minor leaguers. AUSFL would be similar to the Arizona Fall League as a showcase of tomorrow’s stars. The new league could coincide with the start of the New Year for seven weeks ending around the start of spring training. The AUSFL would promote baseball in a country where the game’s popularity can grow. And let’s not forget the Australia is one of the few places where the climate is right for baseball in January. Play Ball!...Down Under!
***
Thankfully, Father F*#k Flaherty will not be playing for the home team at Fenway. It would have pained me to root for that bastard. Ever since he broke up Pedro’s no-hitter while playing for Tampa, I’ve detested Flaherty. My loathing ran even deeper after he got the game winning hit for the MFY in the bottom of the 13th on a hot July day in 2004. I will say one nice thing about Father F*#k Flaherty. He sure knew how to make a few bucks - $16 million in career earnings for a career line of 252/290/377. The lesson here is to teach your kids to catch a baseball while squatting.
The World Baseball Classic is a great idea. Sure, it could be implemented better – having a qualifying round would have alleviated most of the issues and playing the games at night or on the weekend so folks can watch the games live would be nice – but it should be embraced. Next time around, it will likely be much better as the players, agents, etc. will be part of the planning process. It will be a negotiated as a part of the new CBA. But the next step in the globalization of baseball should be creating an Australian Fall League down under.
Like NFL Europe, the AUSFL would assist in promoting the game overseas while providing instruction to minor leaguers. AUSFL would be similar to the Arizona Fall League as a showcase of tomorrow’s stars. The new league could coincide with the start of the New Year for seven weeks ending around the start of spring training. The AUSFL would promote baseball in a country where the game’s popularity can grow. And let’s not forget the Australia is one of the few places where the climate is right for baseball in January. Play Ball!...Down Under!
***
Thankfully, Father F*#k Flaherty will not be playing for the home team at Fenway. It would have pained me to root for that bastard. Ever since he broke up Pedro’s no-hitter while playing for Tampa, I’ve detested Flaherty. My loathing ran even deeper after he got the game winning hit for the MFY in the bottom of the 13th on a hot July day in 2004. I will say one nice thing about Father F*#k Flaherty. He sure knew how to make a few bucks - $16 million in career earnings for a career line of 252/290/377. The lesson here is to teach your kids to catch a baseball while squatting.
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Thank you - Red Sox!
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