The 2023 World Baseball Classic, an international professional baseball tournament, is set to be 5th iteration of the World Baseball Classic.
World Baseball Classic 2023 : schedule | Rosters
It was originally set for 2021 (as per tradition to hold the event every four years), but was canceled in May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host countries | Japan Taiwan United States |
| Dates | March 8–21, 2023 |
| Teams | 20 |
It was later announced that qualifications for the Classic would start in September 2022, as agreed by Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA).
Because The tournament is being expanded from 16 to 20 national teams, with all teams that participated in the 2017 edition automatically qualifying, plus four additional spots.
World Baseball Classic 2023 schedule
The first round at loanDepot park will take place March 11 – 15 and feature Pool D, which includes 2017 Finalist Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Israel, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
- Round 1: March 11 – 15, 2023
- Pool D: Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Israel, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua
- Quarterfinals: March 17 – 18, 2023
- Semi-Finals and Finals: March 19 – 21, 2023
The North American quarterfinals, including the teams advancing from Pool C and D, will take place on March 17 – 18, while the Semi-Finals and Finals of the 2023 World Baseball Classic will be played from March 19 – 21.
“Along with our fans, partners and the entire South Florida community, we are honored Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association have selected loanDepot park to host all three rounds of the 2023 World Baseball Classic,” Marlins owner Bruce Sherman said in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming fans from across the globe to loanDepot park to cheer on many of the top players in the game taking part in this prestigious event.”
Following a two-year pandemic-related hiatus, the World Baseball Classic will return in 2023. Also Dates, venues, and pools for the 2023 WBC were announced in July by World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI). Two qualifying events took place in September, and the WBC itself will be held across the globe next spring.
Rosters
We are months away from the WBC rosters being finalized, though more than a dozen players have already committed to Team USA.
Some countries are more enthusiastic about the WBC than others and the USA has had some trouble luring the best of the best to the tournament over the years, though next year’s roster is already star-laden, including Mike Trout, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Bryce Harper and Pete Alonso.
But The WBC showcases the top talent in the world in a best-on-best tournament, and is part of MLB’s efforts to grow the game globally.
Japan won the 2006 and 2009 events before the Dominican Republic won the 2013 title. But The United States beat Puerto Rico in the 2017 WBC.
Also What an outfield for the United States. Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and a lucky third (hopefully, Mookie Betts) will get to patrol the outfield against the world’s best players.
But, the commitments from Trout and Harper signal a positive change in the attitude toward the World Baseball Classic.
MLB’s superstars are starting to recognize the value of participating in the Classic, both from a fun point of view and from a monetary point of view.
When everyone’s playing in the Classic, the baseball world is watching, from Japan to the Netherlands, and that means the opportunity for players to grow their brands internationally.