The lineup

So people might think it's a little early to start talking about the World Cup, when the WBC is just heating up, but that's my point. If you do decide to actually pay attention to the WBC, I want you to pay attention the way it's run, then stayed tuned here for updates on the World Cup. See the difference.

Here is the official lineup for the 2009 IBAF Baseball World Cup, and how they got in:

1. OLYMPIC GAMES: The eight participants of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games automatically received an invitation for the 2009 IBAF Baseball World Cup (BWC). These teams are Korea, Cuba, USA, Japan, Canada, the Netherlands, Chinese Taipei, and China.

2. HOST NATIONS: The seven host nations for the 2009 BWC automatically qualify. Germany, Sweden, Spain, Russia, and the Czech Republic each host first-round pool play; and Italy and the Netherlands are second-round hosts.

3. AFRICA: South Africa represented the Africa region in advancing to the Final Olympic Qualifier, thus automatically qualifying it for the 2009 BWC.

4. AMERICAS: The top five teams from the 2008 Baseball Americas Cup in Venezuela automatically qualify for the 2009 BWC. In order, these five teams are Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Mexico, Antillas Holandesas, and Venezuela.

5. ASIA: The top three teams from the 2007 Asian Cup in Chinese Taipei automatically qualify for the 2009 BWC. In order, these three teams are Japan, Korea, and Chinese Taipei (all three nations are already qualified as Olympic Games participants).

6. EUROPE: The top four teams from the 2007 European Baseball Championships in Barcelona, Spain automatically qualify for the 2009 BWC. In order, these four teams are the Netherlands, Great Britain, Spain, and Germany (the Netherlands, Spain and Germany are already qualified as host nations).

7. OCEANIA: Australia represented the Oceania region in advancing to the Final Olympic Qualifier, thus automatically qualifying it for the 2009 BWC.

It seems to me that the Olympic qualifying is basically the qualification for the World Cup, outside the America's (regional Cup in 2008) and Europe, which is going back to it 2007 championships to determine the qualifiers. When you add in the countries getting an automatic bid as a host, I'm a little lost on that one. Two years seems a long time to go as a qualifier for the World Cup. I'm also against host countries getting automatic bids. I do understand that the Cup is in Europe for a purpose (to increase baseball's profile here), but 7 countries getting an automatic qualifier is a little too much. Maybe Holland and Italy, as they have strong programs, and will host 2nd round games. But 7 automatic qualifiers is a lot, to me.

So here are the groups:

Group A - Prague:

Czech Republic

Mexico

Taiwan

Australia

Group B - Barcelona:

Spain
Puerto Rico
Cuba
South Africa


Group C - Stockholm:
Sweden
Korea
Canada
Dutch Antilles


Group D - Moscow:
Russia
Great Britain
Japan
Nicaragua


Group E - Regensburg:
USA
Germany
China
Venezuela


The italicized teams are my picks to make the 2nd round. The top 2 from each group, plus 4 of the top 5 3rd place finishers will go to the next round. The Netherlands and Italy get a bye into the 2nd round, as hosts. That will leave 16 teams:


Mexico
Taiwan
Australia
Puerto Rico
Cuba
Korea
Canada
Dutch Antilles
Great Britain
Japan
Nicaragua
USA
China
Venezuela
Holland
Italy

There is a really convoluted schedule in the 2nd round and beyond, so I won't get into, but here are my final 4, just for shits and giggles:

Korea
Japan
Holland
Canada

Look for the Canadians to surprise in the final. I don't know why. Its just a guess. If Japan and Korea don't play each other in a semi-final game, I would like to see a Holland/Canada final. Nothing against the Asian team, I just think it would be good for the sport if other teams won it.