Santo Domingo.– The Dominican Republic won't participate in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
unless the Latin American nation that is home to a plethora of Major League
stars is considered as one of the venues.
"If we do not receive any of the phases, we will not play in the 2009 World
Classic," Leonardo Matos Berrido, general director of the Dominican team, told the press. "We sent a formal request to the organizing
committee of the World Classic last November, and they didn't even have the
courtesy to respond in either way."
The committee that determines the makeup of the Dominican team called a press
conference on Monday in Orlando to announce its decision and lodge its
complaint.
Hector Pereyra, president of the Dominican Baseball Federation, said his
country deserves the recognition because of its rich baseball history. Countless
great players, including Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Albert
Pujols and Vladimir Guerrero, were born and raised in the Dominican Republic,
where they learned to play baseball on many of its barren sandlots.
"We believe that the Dominican Republic deserves this kind of opportunity, to
present events of this magnitude," Pereyra said. "Over the past 30 years, our
country has produced the largest number of foreign players in the Major
Leagues."
From: United States
The Dominican Republic IS baseball and should be recognized by being alloted key venue spots in the baseball classic. It certainly deserves the respect and courtesy of the organization running this event.
Written by: Edward, 7 Mar 2008 12:04 PM
From: United States, Leominster, Massachusetts
MLB is ungrateful. The reason why they snubbed DR is probably because of the misconception that Quisqueya and Cibao Stadiums are not modern enough and that DR is not developed enough. Well they are mistaken. DR has great stadiums and the good enough infrastructure for a WBC! I hope they change their minds!
From: United States
Canada is being considered. W/ all due respect to Canadians but they had the Expo's there and had to be taken out of the country due to lack of fans/interest. Puerto Rico is being considered (again) and they didn't even play in the caribbean series due to lack of fans as well. There largest stadium has just about the same capacity of the Dominicans largest stadium. They must think DR is too "third world." I'm not sure if they should protest about, but we definately deserve it.
Written by: ny4life, 7 Mar 2008 1:00 PM
From: United States, New York, NY
The DR definitely deserves the WBC to be play in the country. THe MLB has to give them the respect for developing and intoducing so many great players to the Dominican Republic. DR has the infrastucture to hold the WBC!
Written by: lovingit, 7 Mar 2008 1:21 PM
From: United States, Delaware
Well, Canada still has the very popular Toronto Blue Jays... but still the DR has hosted various venues recently such as the Caribbean Series, the Pan-American games a little while back. Their stadiums are defenitely up to par to host portion of the Classic event. Even if there a few things to fix, there is plenty of time to get those done by 2009.
From: Dominican Republic
Hopefully MLB will come to their senses and lest us dominicans host the WBC!
Written by: LRespect, 7 Mar 2008 2:09 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Well I actually live here in the dominican republic and I have gone to all baseball parks here and in my opinion DR is not ready for an event of this magnitude, the stadiums here are not organized sometimes there are more people standing up than actually sitting. DR should not be consider even if we have the best players in the world, what we really for this event is the best facilities in the WORLD. SORRY DR NOT AN OPTION!
Written by: Edward, 7 Mar 2008 2:38 PM
From: United States, Leominster, Massachusetts
Well i guess it's boycott time. I won't even watch that stupid tournament anyway! :-(
From: United States
I don't suppose the classic will be booking Fenway Park or Camden Yards any time soon, so in the abence of any of the top tier parks of MLB, I imagine that some of better parks in the DR will do just fine.
Written by: lovingit, 7 Mar 2008 6:00 PM
From: United States, Delaware
LRespect is too pessimistic, but in a way, yes, the DR could benefit from two new stadiums or so in the most popular regions.
From: United States
wow.. i agree somewhat that on hosting some kind of baseball opportunity would be nice, i think it is totally assinne to boycott the games because of such arrogance. (spell check)
Written by: raulm, 8 Mar 2008 1:00 AM
From: United States
people you have to understand that if the united states have to do anything with this and most of the world as if find out when i travel, that they don't like people of color(brown, black as they will put it). i respect the dominican player, but please understand that they are there because u.s. will have any body. any other country make money but brown americans(brown because they are not really black in color). they now beleive that they can control the dominican players, while the brown born american won't take there stuff and talk back to them. there are alot of good brown players in the u.s but they will never be given the opporunity. lets not for get jackie robinson, hank, just to name a few. don't be brain washed by the u.s. please. know the facts and think for yourself.
Written by: lovingit, 8 Mar 2008 1:19 AM
From: United States, Delaware
raulm,
Dude what are you talking about!!!?
I am sorry, but your comment is full of run-on and incomplete sentences and is hard to follow, but from what I was able to decipher? you are way off the topic, this has nothing to do with race. Come on man, you did not have anything better to write that than blaming the "white" man for not considering the DR for the event? Please!!!
From: United States
Lovingit asks a legitimate question. What the heck are you talking about, raulm? Not only is this not about race, if it were even remotely connected you would still be so far off base you could pass for the mascot. Do you have any idea how many black players are now in MLB? Brother, next you'll be telling us the NBA discrminates against blacks as well. You sound like you're a little iffy with the facts. Take a deep breath and get a grip, big guy.
Written by: , 8 Mar 2008 1:36 AM
From:
This is not an issue of anybody "deserving" anything. To be a host for the W.B.C. is not a right, it is a priviledge. For any country to say "do what I want or else" is contrary to the message and ideals that international sports should hope to achieve. In the last tournament, Puerto Rico threatened to boycott the games because the United States did not grant visas to the Cuban team and Puerto Rico was a host site. They were willing to lose millions of dollars in profits from the games to do the right thing for another country. Brazil has the best soccer stars in the world, do they demand the world cup be held in Brazil or else? DR will only alienate themselves if they choose not to play.
From: United States
having been to puerto rico and san juan.. the stadium at "Carolina" is so much better than Santo Domingo or Santiago.. the country and government needs to get it together before even thinking about hosting a baseball venue.. i love dominican baseball but lets face reality, get control on your crime and drugs, education, politics.. corruption, your 50 years behind the rest of the world, you can't stand up to the world stage in your country.... if the dominican is not in orlando.. i will still go to the games.. and i will boycott games in the dominican republic when i visit there also.. lol
Written by: Edward, 8 Mar 2008 10:41 AM
From: United States, Leominster, Massachusetts
FYI Ross the DR is not 50 years behind the rest of the world. DR has a GDP PPP per capita of about $10,400 which is pretty high for a developing country. The Human Development Index is .809 and puts the DR in 62nd place out of 192 countries. It means that 130 countries are less developed! So get your facts straight!
Written by: , 8 Mar 2008 1:28 PM
From:
FYI Leominster, PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) is a theory that uses exchange rates of different currencies to determine the law of one price in identical goods. It is not an indicator of per capita income as you described. The per capita income in 2007 for the Dominican Republic is $9,200 not $10,400. The Human Development Index is 0.779 not 0.809. The PPP puts the Dominican Republic behind Sri Lanka, Sudan and even Ethiopia. The Human Development Index has the Dominican Republic trailing such countries as Samoa, Ukraine and even Kazakhstan. Obviously, there is a lot of work to be done. These things make the baseball issue a lot less important. Leominster, you are proud of your country and you should be. I am pleased that you take interest in the really important things about your country. Maybe, you will one day be instrumental in helping to change the economic and development indicators for the good.
Written by: Edward, 8 Mar 2008 2:26 PM
From: United States, Leominster, Massachusetts
Sorry if I sounded upset... The .779 is based on 2005 data, but I did the calculations and when the next UN HD report for 2007 comes out in 2009 DR should be around .800 to .810. I did the calculations taking into consideration the increase in PPP per capita, increase in life expectancy, improvements in literacy and enrollment of the last 2 years. Ethiopia's PPP is only $800
From: United States
Since there is no indication of who is actually writing these insightful postings, I will refer to the author as Mr. X.
Mr. X, you are obviously well educated and knowledgeabe. I also think your point about threatening a boycott is quite valid. But I have to wonder what your real interests are. Do you live in the DR? Do you have business interests here? Why is it you care so much?
The reason I ask is that it is easier to understand a person's position if the motivation for concern is readily apparent. Because you remain anonomous, and it is unclear if youhave previous postings or not, your motives seem somewhat suspect. Obviously, you are not compelled to identify yourself or to answer my questions, but if your going to offer opinions and present facts you should be willing to join in on an equal footing, and not pesent yourself as "the man behind the curtain." For all we know, you could be the marketing agent for a ball-park construction company, or a MLB representative.
Written by: devin11, 8 Mar 2008 2:52 PM
From: United States
Please refer to the International Monetary Fund 2007 GDP (PPP) in $m.
Ethiopia $95,583 / Rank 64
Sri Lanka $116,350 / Rank 58
Sudan $114,929 / Rank 59
Dominican Republic $89,870 / Rank 65
You are refering to the per capita income which is actually $700 in Ethiopia, that is not the same thing as the PPP which is the purchasing parity power. The PPP is by far a more realistic and accurate measure of economic differences of living standards between nations.
Written by: , 8 Mar 2008 3:15 PM
From:
David, my name is Devin Cruz and I live in New York City. I am a Bio-Chemical engineer for a major pharmaceutical company, not a marketing agent or a baseball representative. I never intended to hide my identity in anyway, I logged on under my user name and made the posts. I don't know why my user name did not register. I was offering a non-biased view and opinion regarding a news article that I read in the website for this newspaper. My other posts were in response to the posts that I read in this thread. I have vacationed in the Dominican Republic many times and have many friends of Dominican descent here in New York.
Deepest Regards,
Devin
From: United States
Thank you. That makes sense and answers my questions. You have added much to these postings, and I appreciate it.
Written by: , 8 Mar 2008 6:31 PM
From:
I travel to PR to see the classic and La serie del Caribe last year, there is no way to compare the stadium in Carolinas with estadio Quisqueya, if MLB is going to set PR us one of the site, no problem, is cheaper then going to any of the other site but first some issues need to be address like lodging and the organization, if anybody in this forum have plans to go to PR, get there early and buy your ticket in person, do not use the E-ticket (ticket pop) I use the system and I stay in line for hours and went I finally got in the stadium it was the 6th inning, luckily the game lasted eighteen inning (DR vs VEN), and be ready to pay around 75 dollars for a place to sleep. Got no idea about Canada but will go there to. VIVA el BEISBOL como se dice por estos lado.
Written by: santanar, 8 Mar 2008 6:32 PM
From: United States
I travel to PR to see the classic and La serie del Caribe last year, there is no way to compare the stadium in Carolinas with estadio Quisqueya, if MLB is going to set PR as one of the site; no problem, is cheaper then going to any of the other site but some issues need to be address like lodging and organization, if anybody in this forum is planning to go to PR, get there early and buy your ticket in person, do not use the E-ticket (ticket pop); I use the system and stay in line for hours and went I finally got in the stadium it was the 6th inning, luckily the game lasted eighteen inning (DR vs VEN), be ready to pay around 75 dollars for the most inexpensive place to sleep. Got no idea about Canada but i'm planning to see the serie. VIVA el BEISBOL como se dice por estos lado.
From: United States
it is amazing how offensive dominicans are... all i said was you are 50 years behind in the world.. ecomonically, policialy, education, the list goes on.. every form of government is corrupt. go back home to your country new yorken dominicans and see for yourself.. thats why you don't reside in your own country.. if not.. then go back home and make the improvements and get the baseball allstar game in your country... it shouldn't be so difficult .. give me a break.. grow up dominicans, get a grip on what's happening to your country.. what a joke
From: United States
why can't we just play baseball and have some fun
Written by: lovingit, 9 Mar 2008 5:24 AM
From: United States, Delaware
rossbuildersinc I guess you don't get out of the surburbs much with the exception when you go out on vacation to a developing country to critize it.
Why don't you take a trip to West Side of Newark, NJ? To the east and west districts from downtown Wilmingont Delaware, go to dumps of Buffalo, heck, visit of those trailer parks that span across the US... have you ever been hillbilly settlements in the Carolinas? Virginia?, should I go on?
Dude, you are the one who needs to get a freaking grip!!! The DR has a road to travel, but for you to say 50 years behind in a list that goes on is simply idiotic and ignorant of you.
(Cont)
Written by: lovingit, 9 Mar 2008 5:39 AM
From: United States, Delaware
(Cont)
rossbuildersinc
"get control on your crime and drugs, education, politics.. corruption" you say?
Crime:There are sections of those US cities I mentioned that you won't get out unscattered or alive for that matter.
Drugs? I challenge you to take reseach stadistics of junkies and drug crimes per capita on the US and the DR
Education? Take a tour of city high schools and see how many teens are illiterate. In HS and can't even READ!!!!!
Corruption? Ask a NJ State Police officer to tell you some of the tales of how they own the state
Politics? Ask George W Bush were the weapons of mass destruction are? And Cheaney how his oil profits are coming along?
Look at yourself in the mirror first before you spit out some crap like and on your next vacation tour the US Dumps and tell me who is 50 years behind jerk.
From: United States
hit a nerve i guess
From: United States
west side of Newark must be full of dominicans
From: United States
ross, that last comment was disgusting. You have some nerve coming to a dominican forum and implying that if a location in the US has high crime rate it must be full of dominicans. Was this your intention of coming to this forum?
By the way, as far as your originial comment, PR has a higher drug use rate as well as crime. It always has. Mexico as well. (these aren't good enough reasons not to hold an event of this magnitude in the DR). You may be right about the stadiums; I wouldn't know, but you are wrong about the other crap you said.
Written by: GEMATOS, 9 Mar 2008 1:48 PM
From: United States
I am a sports journalist who has covered the Caribbean World Series and the World Baseball Classic.
Before I go any further, can we please keep the forum to a sports related conversation? Rossbuilders your comments are completely ignorant, but that is a topic for another forum.
Here are the facts. The CWS was held at Estadio Cibao, which was renovated recently and looked very good. It is, in my opinion, better than the Estadio Roberto Clemente in Carolina last year; which has this almost aqua carpet for turf.
So the infrastructure is in place in even a second city like Santiago. The capital obviously has more hotels, and is a more logical choice to host an event.
Now lets be realistic. The DR cannot host the semifinals or finals. The WBC is a MLB initiative, and it's primary purpose is, not only to spread the popularity of baseball world wide, but to also make $, and a lot of it. If you have any doubt about that, take a look at the $237 jerseys, and $35 hats that were on
Written by: GEMATOS, 9 Mar 2008 1:52 PM
From: United States
-sale at the event. The question that needs to be asked is- Are there enough Dominicans willing to pay up to $60 a ticket for the games?
If we base it on the turnout for the CWS this year, then I have to say the answer is "no." There were too many empty seats at Estadio CIbao, even for the Licey-Aguilas games, which usually pack the stadium for a Tuesday game in October between the rivals.
The tickets were supposedly all sold and not used. I don't buy that. Baseball crazed DR fans don't decide not to show up for Licey-Aguilas games, nevermind when they are set at teh CWS stage.
The tickets were priced way over what could be reasonably afforded in the country. I think MLB recognizes that DR may not be a suitable place to make $. The ticket prices are steep, and then we get into the merchandising issues which adds to the bottom line of the tournament.
Written by: lovingit, 9 Mar 2008 3:30 PM
From: United States, Delaware
GEMATOS, thanks for giving some facts there.
As for rossbuildersinc, obviously after his follow up comments, we should just ignore the bitter guy. His purpose is to stir sh^t and does not offer any type of value to this forum at all.
From: United States
GEMATOS,
Good points, and a very realistic appraisal of the situation. It comes down to money. If there is someone else who would sponsor this event without being concerned about turning a profit, they should talk with MLB, and work out a deal. Until that happens, the one paying the bills should make the decisions. Some of us went into this posting with emotions ahead of our thinking (myself included). I welcome those with the facts and pertinent information to convince me I was mistaken. That's how we learn.
Written by: santanar, 9 Mar 2008 5:20 PM
From: United States
"It comes down to money"
If this is the case, I'll agreed with the players; count us OUT/
From: United States
Gematos, good point. However, keep in mind that the tickets to this past series cost wayyy more than it ever has. I believe it started at about US$70 whereas last year in PR it started at US$20. Also keep in mind that an event of this magnitute would attract much more tourists than the caribbean brings.
Nonetheless, you do have a good point.
Santanar, yes it comes down to money bc they have to pay loads of money to the players, the logistics, hotels, publicity, employees, etc.
Written by: GEMATOS, 10 Mar 2008 7:53 AM
From: United States
Mayimbe- quick question- Fernandito or Anthony Santos? haha.
It's a good point, it would bring more $ to the area but that's a risk that MLB has to take in order to make it happen. The stadium this year was packed in the bleachers (they were selling for $3 a ticket) but the RF and LF lines were empty.
$60 is too much money to ask Dominicans to pay. The WBC would add more luster than the CWS, which I think is in big trouble by the way, with bigger name players participating.
I love DR. My mom is from Santiago, but the baseball officials in charge of the national team have ot be careful what they wish for because it could close some doors and opportunities for them down the line if they burn bridges now.
I wrote an article title10 Reasons Why Watching Baseball in DR is better than U.S. I'd like to hear your opinions on it for sure. You can read it at
http://susdeportes.com/GilMatosSpanish.html From: United States
GEMATOS, that was a very good article. I particularly agree with reason #9. I live close to Boston and occasionally take in a game at Fenway. You have a very enviable job. Good for you.
Written by: GEMATOS, 10 Mar 2008 9:57 AM
From: United States
david- thanks for taking the time to read it. I appreciate the kind words.
I def can't complain about the job. It's fun, but I also miss just being able to be a fan.
I host a Spanish sports radio show here in Boston on M, W, F from 6-7. If you guys want to listen to it, you can listen to it live on www.susdeportes.com
I will be talking about this DR/WBC stuff tonight, so I welcome any of you to listen and definitely call in with your opinions.
Written by: DaniDr, 10 Mar 2008 10:36 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
Gematos, good comment. I think another problem is the level of standards and the running costs associated with it. As you say, I don't thin the DR people are willing to pay ticket prices of up to US$ 60, but I also think it's highly unlikely that you can provide the same level of stadards that any other MLB game provides by just chargin US$ 60 per ticket.
Written by: GEMATOS, 10 Mar 2008 1:43 PM
From: United States
The PR situation was a sad one this year. They didn't hav a Winter league because of lack of leadership and overall lack of interst from the fans. The stars don't play there anymore, and the teams fight with each other for advertising. This is why Licey played in the CWS, even though Aguilas beat them in the DR championship.
PR will be back this year though, and supposedly all 6 teams will be returning. There were definitely more Dominican fans in PR last year than PR fans. I don't mean to keep plugging stuff I do, but it's funny because it is all relevant to this forum. I taped somethign two weeks ago about the return of the PR league and the challenges the island faces in building baseball up again. Check it out
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UzkXUSQwyDU From what all the other preporters tell me, Mexico is the best place for the CWS because there is more $ there and they throw a great party. Mexicans always represent no matter what country they're in.
From: United States
I wrote something here but I guess it didn't go through. Anyway, great article and vidoe Matos.
First of all, 5 yrs ago I would've said Fernandito, but def. Anthony Santos now. hehe.
Anyway, question, if they had a lack of fans charging $20 per ticket, why would $60 bring in more fans??? I remember seeing more dominicans in the PR stadium last year than puertoricans.
In any case, I do think that in 2013, DR will be better prepared for this type of event w/ all the new stadiums that are being planned (ie. near Boca Chica).
Written by: , 10 Mar 2008 2:49 PM
From:
The assurance of the WBC in considering PR as a host site again for the 2009 games is that PR was a proven financial commodity. The games in PR for "Pool C" sold more tickets than the games played in Florida for "Pool D". That translates into lowest risk for maximum profit, the same formula used in any successful business model. The consideration for Mexico is not their ability to throw a good party but the opportunity to showcase a world event in a populace of over 108 million people.
If DR really wants to be serious about hosting the event, it should consider creating an organizational commitee that would be responsible for coordinating the relative logistics.
Including transportation, lodging, security and marketing. They can set up a tourism campaign promoting the games with all inclusive packages to the event. They can build or refurbish the game site and have a satisfactory proposal in place by 2112, how can they not be considered then? It's much better than my way or else.
Written by: devin11, 10 Mar 2008 2:52 PM
From: United States
----Devin Cruz
Written by: GEMATOS, 11 Mar 2008 11:00 AM
From: United States
Good points Devin. Low risk for maximum profit is the main influence here. The good party was a reference to what other reporters have told me, obviously it isn't a factor as to why Mexico is one of the host sites.
I think money is the biggest thing influencing this. From a ticket, mechandising, and advertising perspective
Will Domincans pay $60 or more for a ticket?
$35 for hats, and $260 for jerseys?
Will Pepsi, Fed Ex, McDonalds, etc advertise there knowing that they will not make the money of the Domincan population that they would in other locales such as Japan, Mexico, and Puerto Rico?
Estadio Cibao is as nice, if not nicer than the Roberto Clemente in Carolina. It has a state of the art HD scoreboard, sound system, great playing surface, and seats 18,000+
But I don't think if DR had Camden Yards it would make a difference. Money is the factor.
Written by: devin11, 11 Mar 2008 1:25 PM
From: United States
Thank you Matos, there is an old saying that if you want to know what happened "follow the money". Do you think DR would help it's position if the country subsidized the cost of putting on the event by making financial guarantees to MLB and the advertisers. The country would in effect be taking the same financial risks that they are asking the event organizers to take. Perhaps the DR players can rally around this concept and play without pay in a show of national unity and reverence for a common goal. Progressive times need progressive minds, what do you think?
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Dude what are you talking about!!!?
I am sorry, but your comment is full of run-on and incomplete sentences and is hard to follow, but from what I was able to decipher? you are way off the topic, this has nothing to do with race. Come on man, you did not have anything better to write that than blaming the "white" man for not considering the DR for the event? Please!!!
Mr. X, you are obviously well educated and knowledgeabe. I also think your point about threatening a boycott is quite valid. But I have to wonder what your real interests are. Do you live in the DR? Do you have business interests here? Why is it you care so much?
The reason I ask is that it is easier to understand a person's position if the motivation for concern is readily apparent. Because you remain anonomous, and it is unclear if youhave previous postings or not, your motives seem somewhat suspect. Obviously, you are not compelled to identify yourself or to answer my questions, but if your going to offer opinions and present facts you should be willing to join in on an equal footing, and not pesent yourself as "the man behind the curtain." For all we know, you could be the marketing agent for a ball-park construction company, or a MLB representative.
Ethiopia $95,583 / Rank 64
Sri Lanka $116,350 / Rank 58
Sudan $114,929 / Rank 59
Dominican Republic $89,870 / Rank 65
You are refering to the per capita income which is actually $700 in Ethiopia, that is not the same thing as the PPP which is the purchasing parity power. The PPP is by far a more realistic and accurate measure of economic differences of living standards between nations.
Deepest Regards,
Devin
Why don't you take a trip to West Side of Newark, NJ? To the east and west districts from downtown Wilmingont Delaware, go to dumps of Buffalo, heck, visit of those trailer parks that span across the US... have you ever been hillbilly settlements in the Carolinas? Virginia?, should I go on?
Dude, you are the one who needs to get a freaking grip!!! The DR has a road to travel, but for you to say 50 years behind in a list that goes on is simply idiotic and ignorant of you.
(Cont)
rossbuildersinc
"get control on your crime and drugs, education, politics.. corruption" you say?
Crime:There are sections of those US cities I mentioned that you won't get out unscattered or alive for that matter.
Drugs? I challenge you to take reseach stadistics of junkies and drug crimes per capita on the US and the DR
Education? Take a tour of city high schools and see how many teens are illiterate. In HS and can't even READ!!!!!
Corruption? Ask a NJ State Police officer to tell you some of the tales of how they own the state
Politics? Ask George W Bush were the weapons of mass destruction are? And Cheaney how his oil profits are coming along?
Look at yourself in the mirror first before you spit out some crap like and on your next vacation tour the US Dumps and tell me who is 50 years behind jerk.
By the way, as far as your originial comment, PR has a higher drug use rate as well as crime. It always has. Mexico as well. (these aren't good enough reasons not to hold an event of this magnitude in the DR). You may be right about the stadiums; I wouldn't know, but you are wrong about the other crap you said.
Before I go any further, can we please keep the forum to a sports related conversation? Rossbuilders your comments are completely ignorant, but that is a topic for another forum.
Here are the facts. The CWS was held at Estadio Cibao, which was renovated recently and looked very good. It is, in my opinion, better than the Estadio Roberto Clemente in Carolina last year; which has this almost aqua carpet for turf.
So the infrastructure is in place in even a second city like Santiago. The capital obviously has more hotels, and is a more logical choice to host an event.
Now lets be realistic. The DR cannot host the semifinals or finals. The WBC is a MLB initiative, and it's primary purpose is, not only to spread the popularity of baseball world wide, but to also make $, and a lot of it. If you have any doubt about that, take a look at the $237 jerseys, and $35 hats that were on
If we base it on the turnout for the CWS this year, then I have to say the answer is "no." There were too many empty seats at Estadio CIbao, even for the Licey-Aguilas games, which usually pack the stadium for a Tuesday game in October between the rivals.
The tickets were supposedly all sold and not used. I don't buy that. Baseball crazed DR fans don't decide not to show up for Licey-Aguilas games, nevermind when they are set at teh CWS stage.
The tickets were priced way over what could be reasonably afforded in the country. I think MLB recognizes that DR may not be a suitable place to make $. The ticket prices are steep, and then we get into the merchandising issues which adds to the bottom line of the tournament.
As for rossbuildersinc, obviously after his follow up comments, we should just ignore the bitter guy. His purpose is to stir sh^t and does not offer any type of value to this forum at all.
Good points, and a very realistic appraisal of the situation. It comes down to money. If there is someone else who would sponsor this event without being concerned about turning a profit, they should talk with MLB, and work out a deal. Until that happens, the one paying the bills should make the decisions. Some of us went into this posting with emotions ahead of our thinking (myself included). I welcome those with the facts and pertinent information to convince me I was mistaken. That's how we learn.
If this is the case, I'll agreed with the players; count us OUT/
Nonetheless, you do have a good point.
Santanar, yes it comes down to money bc they have to pay loads of money to the players, the logistics, hotels, publicity, employees, etc.
It's a good point, it would bring more $ to the area but that's a risk that MLB has to take in order to make it happen. The stadium this year was packed in the bleachers (they were selling for $3 a ticket) but the RF and LF lines were empty.
$60 is too much money to ask Dominicans to pay. The WBC would add more luster than the CWS, which I think is in big trouble by the way, with bigger name players participating.
I love DR. My mom is from Santiago, but the baseball officials in charge of the national team have ot be careful what they wish for because it could close some doors and opportunities for them down the line if they burn bridges now.
I wrote an article title10 Reasons Why Watching Baseball in DR is better than U.S. I'd like to hear your opinions on it for sure. You can read it at
http://susdeportes.com/GilMatosSpanish.html
I def can't complain about the job. It's fun, but I also miss just being able to be a fan.
I host a Spanish sports radio show here in Boston on M, W, F from 6-7. If you guys want to listen to it, you can listen to it live on www.susdeportes.com
I will be talking about this DR/WBC stuff tonight, so I welcome any of you to listen and definitely call in with your opinions.
PR will be back this year though, and supposedly all 6 teams will be returning. There were definitely more Dominican fans in PR last year than PR fans. I don't mean to keep plugging stuff I do, but it's funny because it is all relevant to this forum. I taped somethign two weeks ago about the return of the PR league and the challenges the island faces in building baseball up again. Check it out http://youtube.com/watch?v=UzkXUSQwyDU
From what all the other preporters tell me, Mexico is the best place for the CWS because there is more $ there and they throw a great party. Mexicans always represent no matter what country they're in.
First of all, 5 yrs ago I would've said Fernandito, but def. Anthony Santos now. hehe.
Anyway, question, if they had a lack of fans charging $20 per ticket, why would $60 bring in more fans??? I remember seeing more dominicans in the PR stadium last year than puertoricans.
In any case, I do think that in 2013, DR will be better prepared for this type of event w/ all the new stadiums that are being planned (ie. near Boca Chica).
If DR really wants to be serious about hosting the event, it should consider creating an organizational commitee that would be responsible for coordinating the relative logistics.
Including transportation, lodging, security and marketing. They can set up a tourism campaign promoting the games with all inclusive packages to the event. They can build or refurbish the game site and have a satisfactory proposal in place by 2112, how can they not be considered then? It's much better than my way or else.
I think money is the biggest thing influencing this. From a ticket, mechandising, and advertising perspective
Will Domincans pay $60 or more for a ticket?
$35 for hats, and $260 for jerseys?
Will Pepsi, Fed Ex, McDonalds, etc advertise there knowing that they will not make the money of the Domincan population that they would in other locales such as Japan, Mexico, and Puerto Rico?
Estadio Cibao is as nice, if not nicer than the Roberto Clemente in Carolina. It has a state of the art HD scoreboard, sound system, great playing surface, and seats 18,000+
But I don't think if DR had Camden Yards it would make a difference. Money is the factor.