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The minnows from Manila

The Philippine team wasn't supposed to be making the trip to Taiwan. But they found themselves invited to the Baseball World Cup after China boycotted the tournament.

The Philippines has been shelled in their first ever appearance in the World Cup, losing 21-0 to Japan and 17-0 to Cuba. Yesterday, they lasted the full nine innings in a respectable 6-0 loss to the Netherlands.

"This is the first time we have been entered in this tournament. I'm glad that the boys can join the game," team manager Eladio Baradas said. "We want to have some friends here and from all over the world. I don't mind if we lose. I'm seeing that we are improving."

What did Baradas tell his squad before facing the mighty Cubans?

"Play just the same as you have been playing before. Don't mind that they are so good, just play naturally."

Was his team intimidated?

"What is there to be afraid of? We had already played Japan."

Is there a chance that the Philippines could go home with a victory?

"We are hoping to win against Russia."

Dutch Volunteer to Treat

The Netherlands submitted a bid to host the 2005 Baseball World Cup on Monday.

If successful, it would be the second time the country has hosted the tournament. The first time was in 1986.

No other country has yet announced a bid for 2005. The winning bidder is expected to be announced in August next year.

The next Baseball World Cup will be held in Cuba in 2003.

Arms Control

Pitching may be the weakness of the tournament as some Major League organizations refused to allow some of their minor league pitchers under contract to join their respective national teams.

The teams were concerned about the young pitchers getting too much work by extending their seasons into November.

Australian manager John Deeble said that he has to limit the innings of John Stephens, the Pitcher of the Year this season in the Double-A Eastern League.

"We have a responsibility to him, and we have a responsibility to the Baltimore Orioles. He is going to pitch in the Major Leagues very soon," said Deeble, after Stephens threw eight shutout innings against Canada on Thursday.

Team USA manager Terry Francona agreed that coaches are under pressure not to overwork their pitching staffs.

"What's too much work, what's enough and how much would the experience benefit as opposed to harm the pitchers? Those are tough questions," Francona told Baseball America before the tournament. "I totally respect that from the organizations' point of view. We have to do what's right for the players."
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