| Can you imagine Bowie Kuhn -- who confronted | | | | Manny Ramirez, and that Pedro Martinez has |
| boycotts, expansion and other big-time labor | | | | indicated he may be available after Round 1, but |
| issues during his 15 tumultuous years as Major | | | | Internet stories indicate all three have hinted they |
| League Baseball's commissioner -- dealing with | | | | might sit out the Classic.The designated hitter rule |
| something like this?New York Yankees owner | | | | will be in play and there are set days of rest for |
| George Steinbrenner is still alive and he's spinning | | | | starting hurlers who throw an established number |
| in his grave over it.The first World Baseball Classic | | | | of pitches.A driving force behind the World |
| -- the Olympics of baseball, sil vous plait -- | | | | Baseball Classic is the sport's thumbing from the |
| involving 16 teams from throughout the world | | | | Summer Olympics.MLB won't let its stars play in |
| gets underway next week.One giant step for | | | | the Olympics and problems abound with minor |
| brotherhood, global harmony and single-world | | | | leaguers, including drug-testing issues.Other |
| thinkers.Ho hum, sports bettors say.Spring training | | | | Olympic standards will be prevalent and the event |
| will outdraw it and the Classic has to deal with | | | | is slated to be held every four years.The 16 |
| that annual phenom known as March Madness | | | | invited teams have been assigned to four pools; |
| that drives Sin City into a frenzy.Still, the WBC | | | | the United States and Canada are in Pool B with |
| boasts potential."We've had very minimal action on | | | | Mexico and South Africa.Japan, Korea, China and |
| it," said Las Vegas Hilton SuperBook oddsmaker | | | | Taiwan are in Pool A; Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba |
| and spokesman Jeff Sherman."One big problem is | | | | and the Netherlands comprise Pool C and |
| the early games are in Japan."Maybe we'll see | | | | Venezuela, Australia, Italy and the Dominican |
| more betting when they play here (United | | | | Republic make up Pool D.Four sites will host Round |
| States)."Because MLB has both hands in this pie, it | | | | 1 games; two teams from each pool will advance |
| sets the rules.Players can't be forced to | | | | to the quarterfinals.The semifinals, which features |
| participate (Where have you gone Paul Konerko?) | | | | the four winners -- one from each site -- and |
| and teams can't refuse to let them, though it's | | | | championship game will be played at the San |
| apparent pressure has been applied in some | | | | Diego Padres' Petco Park.Competition starts March |
| cases.The Yanks' Gary Sheffield was quoted in | | | | 3 and the championship will be decided March 20, |
| one recent Internet story asking, "Can you | | | | avoiding a head-to-head TV clash with NCAA |
| imagine George Steinbrenner's reaction if one of | | | | Tournament Sectional play.America goes into |
| his multi-million dollar players gets injured?"Still, The | | | | action on March 8.While some bet shops, like the |
| Boss had to ease back.Roger Clemens is one of | | | | SuperBook, have posted WBC futures odds, |
| four starting pitchers on the American team and | | | | others, such as the Stardust and additional Boyd |
| will open the inaugural series for the United | | | | Group properties, haven't bothered with |
| States; Derek Jeter's on the crew too.He has | | | | them."We'll probably book the individual games," |
| Bernie Williams on Puerto Rico's roster, which also | | | | Stardust supervisor Jake Kolleth said.He also hasn't |
| contains standouts Carlos Beltran and Carlos | | | | heard much about the Classic, but points out that |
| Delgado of the New York Mets.Others doing | | | | doesn't mean there won't be interest by the time |
| patriotic duty include Ken Griffey Jr. and Derek | | | | the U.S.A. actually swings into play."Nobody's |
| Lee.Some foreign-born players welcome an | | | | asking about it, but they will be when things get |
| opportunity to play for their homelands.The | | | | going," Kolleth said.ESPN and ESPN2 will handle |
| Puerto Ricans originally had 60 players to choose | | | | American and Canadian Classic TV coverage and |
| from and have been having difficulty getting down | | | | its affiliates will be in charge in foreign |
| to the mandated 30; their first list included 40 | | | | countries.Lynda Collins is a documented member |
| MLB All-Star selections.The Domincans say they | | | | of the Professional Handicappers League. |
| have commitments from Sammy Sosa and | | | | |