Kenyan betting scene mama, football betting gets all the love – Betika, SportPesa login, MozzartBet sports betting login, Paripesa sports betting… lakini, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) is swinging back into action in 2023 after the 2021 edition took a rain-check thanks to the pandemic. This global showpiece ends a six-year layoff and brings our favourite international teams back to the diamond. The USA holds the crown right now, with Japan and the Dominican Republic each lifting the trophy twice. Prize money changes every edition based on revenue, so you could see millions up for grabs.
How Baseball’s Global Tournament Got Started
MLB and the MLBPA first pitched the idea in May 2005, aiming for a true tournament of national pride. Talks with international federations and the IBF took time, and early on team owners hesitated while the players’ union fretted over timing. Over in Japan, NPB and its players debated for four months before signing on 16/09/2005. Even Cuba’s spot was in doubt because of U.S. sanctions, but the final field was locked in just weeks before first pitch.
Invites and Qualifiers: Assembling the Teams
The World Baseball Classic began by inviting top pro nations that feed the MLB talent pipeline. Ahead of 2025 things shook up: qualifiers replaced Thailand with Pakistan, and Israel plus Colombia made their debuts after winning their pools in the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers. In that same 2017 main event, the U.S. finally clinched its first title, blanking Puerto Rico 8–0 in the final.