The eyes of the baseball world are on Miami as the highest expertise in the sport takes half in the ultimate video games of the World Baseball Classic – all leading up to Tuesday’s title recreation inside loanDepot park.
From several groups who have hoisted the trophy before as champions of the event to others which are still looking to take action for the primary time, the sphere is stacked with expertise all trying to showcase their abilities on the worldwide stage.
With just some games left in the event, here’s what you have to know ahead of the semifinal spherical of the World Baseball Classic.
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 14: Manny Machado #13 of the Dominican Republic hits a home run within the third inning against Israel at loanDepot park on March 14, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
How Players Pick Which Country to Play For
One have a look at the rosters for the WBC might have some people questioning how they are shaped – particularly, how does a participant like Miami born and raised Manny Machado play for Team Dominican Republic as an alternative of the United States.
In addition to playing for the nation you were born in, there are other methods a player may be eligible for a selected nation:
- Hold citizenship or have a everlasting residence within the country.
- Have documentation displaying you’d be eligible for citizenship should you applied.
- Have a minimal of one parent who was born within the nation or holds citizenship.
- Previously represented the country within the WBC.
Cuba Uses MLB Talent, Makes Miami Debut in World Baseball Classic
It comes with plenty of controversy off the sphere, however the national staff representing Cuba will be in South Florida for the first time in the five WBC editions. Cuba performed in Japan through the first four editions and was in Taiwan to begin this year’s match while additionally enjoying in San Diego during the 2006 and 2009 tournaments.
This 12 months is also the primary time Cuba could have Major League Baseball gamers on their roster – including such names as Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada from the Chicago White Sox, Andy Ibanez from the Detroit Tigers together with three pitchers on MLB rosters.
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BUNKYO CITY, JAPAN – MARCH 16: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan reacts through the 2023 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game between Team Italy and Team Japan at Tokyo Dome on Thursday, March 16, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/WBCI/MLB Photos through Getty Images)
And Then There Were (Almost) Four
What started as field of 20 groups – expanded from 16 teams within the first four World Baseball Classics – is now down to just five groups left playing for an opportunity to be the champs.
Three of the spots in the semifinal spherical have already been clinched. Japan, which gained the primary two WBC tournaments, is in and will take on Mexico after their win over Puerto Rico on Friday. Cuba, which was the runner-up within the 2006 event, will tackle the winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal between the Untied States – the 2017 winner – and Venezuela.
Miami within the Spotlight
There have been instances before when a venue has hosted more than one round of video games in the World Baseball Classic, however not like what we’ve seen at loanDepot park this yr.
The residence of the Miami Marlins has been the site of play in Pool D of the first spherical, half of the quarterfinal video games and can host both semifinal games and the title sport on Tuesday. It’s the fourth time Miami has hosted games in the WBC.