World Baseball Classic tournament pools finalized
When the World Baseball Classic begins in March, three teams will be playing in the tournament for the very first time and a fourth will be playing in its first since 2009.
On Monday afternoon, we learned where exactly those teams will play.
With the bat of Mariners No. 1 prospect Harry Ford leading the way, Team Great Britain won the Regensburg Qualifier and will now advance to its very first tournament. It'll be playing in Pool C in Phoenix, facing the United States, Mexico, Colombia and Canada.
The Czech Republic and its team of all-amateur players won a massive upset against heavily favored Spain and will play in Tokyo in Pool B. It will face Japan, South Korea, Australia and China.
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After breezing its way through the Qualifier it hosted at Rod Carew National Stadium, Panama returns to the World Baseball Classic for the first time in 14 years. Placed in Pool A in Taichung, Taiwan, Panama will play Chinese Taipei, the Netherlands, Cuba and Italy.
Nicaragua, which finished second in Panama City, completes Pool D in Miami. Arguably the deepest pool, the first-time WBC participant will face Puerto Rico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Israel.
The tournament will begin in Taichung on March 8, with the championship taking place on March 21 in Miami, Fla.