2009 World Cup

[Unit312J]

Can somebody explain to me how they are going to have 5 pools of teams in 5 countries when there are 16 teams in the World Cup? How many games in each town? I can understand the second round being split, I guess, since it was in two towns last year in Taiwan. However, when did the World Cup become 3 rounds. I know there is supposed to be more announced on the 15th, but for somebody who hoped to be broadcasting the event, and if not that at least attending, I find this set up ridiculous. Europeans travel for major events. I know rugby and soccer are bigger but it isn't hard for the Dutch to make it to Italy, or for the Germans and whoever else is in the World Cup from Europe. And for fans from the other countries it is going to be hard for say the US fans to go from Moscow, to Haarlem, then on to Rome.

I know they want to spread the event around Europe, but I don't like this set up. Maybe I'm greedy because I always want to see as many games as possible, but this just seems to make things difficult. The IBAF has a vehicle to broadcast these games worldwide now in stadeo.tv but how are they going to send people to 5 different countries.

Lots of questions and logistics still to be answered. I hope that happens on the 15th.

Oh yeah, one more thing....When are they going to play it. Last years was so successful because the States sent such good quality. Australia and Canada were loaded with minor leaguers. If they play in the summer what then. It won't be the same. And how can they play in Moscow and Stockholm in the Fall???

UGH

[Paula59]

Hey Unit her you can find a .pps about the upcomming WC09 http://www.baseballeurope.com/345/?t...ash=3e1fbd7ad5

What I know is that the
1st round is extended 20 teams (host countries are qualified)
They will be splitt into 5 groups/venues of 4 Teams each and play a single round robin.
1st and 2nd will advance for sure to 2nd round. I don´t know how the other 6 will be choosen (maybe NL, Italy, USA are automiticly qualified)

2nd round will be in Netherland and Italy (16 teams)
8 Teams at each venue
Single round robin
Top 4 Teams advance to medal round

Medal Round
8 Teams
Italy (maybe Rome)


Host countries are quailified for WC - that makes 3 more out of europe (France, Sweden, CzechRep or Russia)
plus 1 more country I don´t know yet.

This format is new and I think it is only for this WC for the Project Olympic Games!

The only bigger distance in between 2 venues is Moscow (I don´t think they will get it) to somewhere els. Every other venue is in travel distance by plane in 2 hours.

The best venue to start is Germany
Because from here (Regensburg close to the border to Austria) is in car traveldistance to Italy - so you can easily travel to Italy to see 2nd and medal round!
I am happy to welcome everybody here in Germany!


I also heared some rumors that USA will play at Germany.

[Unit312J]

Ok

Ok that may work. Once you get back to the 16 teams it is like it was last year. I wasn't able to see all the games last year either because I was broadcasting in Taipei. I did make a two day trip down to Taichung because I collect stadiums, and I wanted to see those. It would be a little hard to make a quick trip from Italy to Holland to see games in both places, although it can be done on the off day, but if we get to broadcast again I'm sure I'll pick one spot for the 2nd round, stay there, and then do the final rounds like I did last time. With that said I would like to do Sweden, then Netherlands, and finish up in Rome. That way I see games in 3 different countries. I leave out Germany because I'll be back for the Euro's the next year so I can add that country then. Plus I used to live in Germany, well extended visit anyway, and did live for a year in Salzburg, so I am familiar with the travel distances and the geography of Europe. I would love to do a round in Austria if they got to host, but it would likely be in Vienna, and I'm way to partial to Salzburg and the Salzkammergut rather than the flatland of Vienna.

One thing you didn't answer Paula59....WHEN? They can't play ball in Germany, Sweden, and Holland in mid November!!!!

[Unit312J]

September???

Boy that's a bad idea. Last years was pretty competitive because it was full of minor league players. For most of the teams that will probably still work, because the minor league season will have just ended. However, playoffs in the minor leagues will still be going on, not to mention the quality of the USA players will be a lot less because if you use last years roster as an example some of those guys were in the majors during the September call ups. This time frame hurts the USA, not to mention requires a lot of time off work for me. I might not be able to see the first rounds after all. I'll really have to build up my vacation time!!

[Paula59]

One thing you didn't answer Paula59....WHEN? They can't play ball in Germany, Sweden, and Holland in mid November!!!!

I think you found out in the .pps WC will be from 9th to 26th September 2009


Hey Unit312J you are welcome anytime in Germany to collect stadiums even with you camera team

[Paula59]

Here is the official announcement for the BWC 2009
It includes all dates, venues and the tournament format

http://www.ibaf.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=210&Itemid=72

At the moment only the host nations are set for 1st round at their group. The other nations will follow.
It will be interesting to see who needs to go to Moscow.

[Unit312J]

Wow

What an ambitious plan for the World Cup. I like it on one condition, and that is we get to broadcast it. Otherwise I can't afford to see it all, and I want to see it all. I have a feeling that if it is broadcast the first rounds might not be covered, and it'll start with the rounds in the Netherlands and Italy. That's OK. I could fund the first round by myself. Now to go to Moscow or Stockholm

There are what 11 teams already qualified correct? The top 8 from last year, plus Great Britain, Spain, and Germany from the Euro's last year. Those I know for sure Spain and Germany are also hosts so let's see

1. USA
2. Cuba
3. Japan
4. Netherlands
5. Korea
6. Mexico
7. Australia
8. Chinese Taipei
9. Great Britain
10. Germany
11. Spain
12. Russia
13. Sweden
14. Czech Republic

(those are the ones I can think of right now. Room for six more. Probably Canada, Panama, Venezuela, South Africa, China, and another European country like Croatia maybe)

Can't wait!!!!

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

At one hand I like the idea to see the first rounds to be played in the smaller baseball countries. IMO it will be a good promotion for the sport.

But on the other hand, IF one of those smaller countries will go to the second round, it will be very costly to travel.

But let's wait how things will pan out, before having comments.

[Paula59]

There are what 11 teams already qualified correct? The top 8 from last year, plus Great Britain, Spain, and Germany from the Euro's last year. Those I know for sure Spain and Germany are also hosts so let's see

1. USA
2. Cuba
3. Japan
4. Netherlands
5. Korea
6. Mexico
7. Australia
8. Chinese Taipei
9. Great Britain
10. Germany
11. Spain
12. Russia
13. Sweden
14. Czech Republic

(those are the ones I can think of right now. Room for six more. Probably Canada, Panama, Venezuela, South Africa, China, and another European country like Croatia maybe)

Can't wait!!!!

I don´t know exactly how many teams are qualified from the continent championships but I think at least 3 (Europe for sure 4) (only Champion from Africa and Oceania)

1. Spain - Host and qualified 3rd EC07
2. Russia - Host
3. Germany - Host and qualified 4th EC07
4. Sweden - Host
5. Czech Republic - Host
6. Netherland - Host and qualified EC07
7. Italy - Host
8. Great Britain - qualified 2nd EC07
9. Japan - qualified AsianC07
10. Korea qualified 2nd AsianC07
11. Chinese Taipei 3rd AsianC07
12. USA - qualified AmericaC06
13. Cuba - qualified 2nd AmericaC06
14. Mexico - qualified 3rd AmericaC06
15. Canada - qualified 4th AmericaC06
16. Australia - qualified OceaniaC07
17. South Africa - qualified AfricanC07
18. Philippines or China 4th Asianc07
19.
20.


That leaves 2 spots open.
What I think is:
19. Venezuela - jumps in if Canada qualified as Olympic Games attendant
20. Nigeria - 2nd AfricanC07 (but it makes no sense only as help for Africa)
or Venezuela or France (to help the game on the old continent)

[Unit312J]

Last two

I would root for France, because I know some of the players and their coach.

Yeah, I wasn't sure how many teams from each of the continent championships automatically qualify. Don't the top 8 from the '07 automatically qualify as well? Those are all covered in your list anyway, but was just curious..

I still have the Olympics, the 2009 Caribbean World Series in Mexicali, and the 2009 World Baseball Classic before the 2009 World Cup, but I can't wait for the World Cup any less than the others. Very excited.

[DownUnderDodger]

I read to day that the decision to play the games in Europe was to try to bolster the sport's bid to get the game back into the Olympic Games? The IOC, which opted to remove Baseball for the 1012 Games in London will review it's success during Beijing.

[Paula59]

Today was the election of groups for the Baseball World Cup 2009 in Europe http://www.baseball-worldcup.com/ at one of the venues Regensburg/Germany. (Bavaria>>> not far away from Munich and the Hofbrauhaus)

The only group I have information about is the "German Group"

Games will be played at Regensburg/Germany http://www.legionaere.de/ballpark/ from 9th to 12 th September 2009 before the 1st and 2nd (maybe 3rd as well if best 3rd in all over first round) move on to play the next round in Italy or Netherland.

Teams:
1. Germany
2. USA
3. China
4. 1st or 5th of American Qualifier (American Championships) - here I heard some differnt things but I will post it as soon as I know


This is a very big thing with having USA and one Extra American Team >>> I love it great!


All of you are very welcome in Germany. Just contact me if you are plan to come over I will help you as far as I can

Cheers!


UPDATE!!!

The groups will contain four teams each, for a total of 20 teams, and the other two teams – second round hosts, Italy and Netherlands – will receive byes to the next round. The groups are as follows:

Group A Prague: Czech Republic (host), Australia, Chinese Taipei, Americas 3
Group B Barcelona: Spain (host), Cuba, South Africa, Americas 1
Group C Stockholm: Sweden (host), Korea, Canada, Americas 4
Group D Moscow: Russia (host), Japan, France/Great Britain, Americas 2
Group E Regensburg: Germany (host), USA, China, Americas 5

All teams that competed in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games automatically qualified for the 2009 Baseball World Cup. The five remaining teams from the Americas will begin qualifying competition in Venezuela in the Baseball Cup of the Americas on Sept. 26, 2008.

In the second round The Netherlands (Haarlem, Rotterdam and Amsterdam) will host the first place teams of groups B, D and E; the second place teams of group B and the first, third and fourth seeded amongst the third place teams.

Italy (various locations in the northern part of the country) will host the first place teams of groups A and C; the second place teams of groups A, C, D and E and the second seeded amongst the third place teams

On behalf of the Regensburg Legionaere Stephan Ondracek explained that the new ball park will have a 10,000 seat capacity and the whole facility will be updated to international standards, including the locker rooms, that will have direct access to the dugouts.

The project is worth 1.3 million euros.


The stadium update is a good example what you can do in Baseball here in Germany with a little bit money. Ok 1.3 Mil is a lot for me but if you put it in a stadium and get one of the best in europe out of it >>perfect.
You guys can´t imagine what all could be done in Baseball Germany with a little bit more money from a big brother/sponsor/friend
And I am not talking about "only" beautifull parks I am talking about championships, media time, game developement etc

[Rally Monkey]

This is very exciting. Thanks for the update. What are the venues in Stockholm and Moscow? (The only baseball stadium in Moscow, as I understand it, is at the Moscow State University. So I assume it'll be there.)

(Bavaria>>> not far away from Munich and the Hofbrauhaus)

I preferred the Hacker Keller. But that was in the 1980s. I wonder if it's still around?

[Paul Wendt]

UPDATE!!!

The groups will contain four teams each, for a total of 20 teams, and the other two teams – second round hosts, Italy and Netherlands – will receive byes to the next round. The groups are as follows:

Group A Prague: Czech Republic (host), Australia, Chinese Taipei, Americas 3
Group B Barcelona: Spain (host), Cuba, South Africa, Americas 1
Group C Stockholm: Sweden (host), Korea, Canada, Americas 4
Group D Moscow: Russia (host), Japan, France/Great Britain, Americas 2
Group E Regensburg: Germany (host), USA, China, Americas 5

All teams that competed in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games automatically qualified for the 2009 Baseball World Cup. The five remaining teams from the Americas will begin qualifying competition in Venezuela in the Baseball Cup of the Americas on Sept. 26, 2008.

Surely the first listed visitors (underline) are seeded teams.

Does this represent any more seeding across the groups or is it random assignment: one from the first five, one more from the eastern hemisphere, one more from the Americas?

[Rally Monkey]

Surely the first listed visitors (underline) are seeded teams.

I agree. But how it could it possibly be that Australia is seeded higher than Taiwan?