Although their participation was short lived, the UK played three games in the qualifying rounds against: Canada, Czech Republic and Germany. These games took place back in September in the premier European baseball stadium in Regensburg, Germany called the Armin-Wolf Baseball Arena. It is also the largest stadium specifically for baseball in Germany, pretty impressive it is too.
In another of the qualifying rounds in Florida, saw more European teams: Spain, France and Israel (well they participate in the Euros in football) battle South Africa for another of the empty pool stage places. The plucky Spaniards overcame Israel 9-7 to advance.
Brazil advanced from the South American qualifier in the Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City beating Colombia, Nicaragua and Panama.
Chinese Taipei advanced from the Asian qualifier beating baseball giants the Philippines, Thailand and New Zealand in Xinzhuang Stadium, Taiwan.
All these qualifiers took place late last year (September and November) in preparation for the World Classic in March 2013.
There are four pools of four teams in the World Baseball Classic, taking place in different parts of the World. There are possibly only a few countries in the world that have enough baseball stadiums to host the classic in a similar fashion to football, cricket and rugby, which take place usually in one country).
Pool A Japan, China, Cuba and Brazil
Games are played in Fukuoka, Japan in the Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome.
Pool B
South Korea, Holland, Australia and Chinese Taipei
Games are played in Taichung, Taiwan.
Pool C
Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Brazil
Games are played in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the
Hiram Bithorn Stadium
Pool D
USA, Mexico, Italy and Canada
Games played in Phoenix, Arizona.
Is there any interest in these ganes at all?
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