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Japan set to defend crown in 2009

Japan will have a chance to defend their World Baseball Classic crown in 2009.

World Baseball Classic Incorporated announced on Thursday that it would again hold the 16-team global baseball tournament in March 2009, three years after Japan won the inaugural edition.

The WBCI also announced its intention to extend initial invitations for the 2009 World Baseball Classic to eight of the 16 teams. The remaining eight teams will be invited in December this year.

The teams that advanced to the second round in the last year's World Baseball Classic -- Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the US and Venezuela -- will receive the eight initial tournament invitations.

"We are extremely pleased with the impressive results of the 2006 World Baseball Classic and excited about the momentum and anticipation it has generated for the upcoming 2009 event," Major League Baseball President Bob DuPuy said.

"As international baseball continues to develop and thrive, and the supply of quality baseball nations grows, the task of selecting the 16 deserving teams has become increasingly difficult," he said.

The remaining eight invitations will be determined following a period of evaluation and consultation.

"Numerous countries, far more than we currently can invite, are clamoring to get in," chief operating officer of the MLB Players Association Gene Orza said.

"Given the limitations on the size of the field that we face at this date, we want to make sure that the widespread interest in participation gets the attention it deserves," he said.

The WBCI also announced the distribution of more than US$8 million in proceeds from the inaugural tournament to the participating countries and territories and the International Baseball Federation.

Japan beat Cuba 10-6 in last year's tournament final, the first such global competition to feature Major League Baseball talent.

Ironically, Japan won with a squad featuring just two major league players.
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