MIAMI — The World Baseball Classic is poised for a potential shift to midseason play, a move that could dramatically alter the landscape of the international tournament and address concerns about player participation. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated Wednesday that a midseason tournament is under consideration, contingent on existing broadcasting commitments to Fox through 2028 and ongoing discussions regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The idea comes on the heels of a record-breaking 2023 tournament, which saw significant increases in both attendance and viewership, signaling a growing global appetite for the event.
This year’s World Baseball Classic drew a total of 1,619,839 fans across 47 games, a 24% jump from the previous high of 1,306,414 in 2023. The inaugural tournament in 2006 attracted 740,451 fans over 39 games, demonstrating the tournament’s substantial growth over nearly two decades. The most-watched game of the 2006 tournament was Mexico’s second-round victory over the United States, drawing 2.46 million viewers on ESPN. More recently, the Americans’ semifinal win against the Dominican Republic in 2023 captivated 7.37 million viewers on FS1 and Fox Deportes, surpassing the previous high of 5.2 million for the 2023 final.
Addressing Player Availability Concerns
Currently, the World Baseball Classic is played during spring training, a period when Major League Baseball teams are understandably protective of their players. Tournament rules include pitch count restrictions, and teams retain the right to impose stricter limits or even deny players permission to participate. This has led to situations where star players have been limited in their involvement or unable to participate at all, a point of frustration for fans and organizers alike.
“if it was moved to the middle of the season, I don’t consider you would have any nos for competing in it,” said DeRosa, as reported by NBC News. Moving the tournament to midseason, when players are already in game shape and teams are further removed from the rigors of spring training, could alleviate these concerns and encourage greater participation from top players. Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, for example, was limited to one appearance in the recent tournament due to an agreement with the Detroit Tigers.
The Rise of the WBC and International Appeal
The success of the 2023 tournament, highlighted by Shohei Ohtani’s memorable strikeout of Mike Trout to end the 2023 WBC, underscores the growing international appeal of baseball. Manfred described the event as a “springboard for the rest of our international efforts,” emphasizing its importance in fostering relationships with sponsors and broadcasters worldwide. Japan, with three titles, remains a dominant force, while the Dominican Republic and Venezuela have each secured one championship. The United States won its first title in 2017.
The tournament’s impact extends beyond established baseball nations. Italy’s unexpected run to the semifinals in 2023 sparked a surge of interest in the sport within the soccer-loving country, even with games taking place during overnight hours. Italy manager Francisco Cervelli remarked after his team’s elimination, “They revolutionized Italy. They place another sport on the map.” Even Aaron Judge, captain of the U.S. Team, noted the electric atmosphere, stating the WBC crowds were “bigger and better than the World Series.”
Balancing the WBC with the Olympics
The potential move to a midseason tournament is also intertwined with ongoing negotiations regarding baseball’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. MLB and the players’ association are currently discussing the possibility of having big leaguers participate in the Olympic tournament, which would be held during an extended All-Star break. Manfred acknowledged that the timing of the WBC will be influenced by these discussions.
“The issue for us is whether we do it in ’29 or in ’30, three years or four years?” Manfred said. “I do think a three- or four-year cycle is probably about right for the event. The timing is going to turn on what we do with respect to related sorts of international efforts. I remain optimistic about the Olympics and obviously if we play in the Olympics it’s a short time from July of ’28 ’till the spring of 29 and that’s something we’ll have to take into account.”
Looking Ahead
MLB and the players’ association hold the largest equity shares in the World Baseball Classic, with Nippon Professional Baseball, the Korea Baseball Organization, and the World Baseball Softball Confederation owning minority stakes. The next steps involve determining the optimal timing for the seventh WBC, weighing the considerations of broadcasting commitments, Olympic participation, and the desire to maximize player involvement. Manfred indicated he’s receiving considerable feedback urging a quicker return for the tournament, stating, “I’m getting a lot of email from people today saying don’t make us wait four more years for this.”
The future of the World Baseball Classic appears bright, with growing international interest and a potential shift to a midseason format that could unlock even greater participation from the game’s biggest stars. Fans and players alike will be watching closely as MLB and the players’ association navigate these complex considerations in the coming months.
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