First Cuba, now Japan.
The world order is changing rapidly on the local baseball front now that another powerhouse team has agreed to enter the 2011 World Baseball Challenge this summer.
WBC organizers received official word this week from the Baseball Federation of Japan that it will send a team to Prince George for the WBC tournament, July 8-18 at Citizen Field.
"With Cuba and Japan fully confirmed, that gives us two of the top-three ranked teams in the International Baseball Federation ranking right there -- we are very excited, and so impressed with the resolve of the Japanese people in the wake of the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami," said WBC co-chair Jim Swanson. "This tournament just added a level of emotion you cannot imagine. It will certainly be spine-tingling to see our community embrace them the way they embraced Germany, Bahamas and USA in 2009."
Japan's involvement, for the first time ever in the history of the WBC, brings to six the number of teams confirmed. Canada, the United States, the Bahamas, the Beijing Tigers of China, and Cuba have also made commitments. Swanson expects a seventh team will likely be added.
The announcement earlier this month of Cuba's decision to come on board with the WBC weighed heavily in Japan's decision to enter the event.
"That was massive, we actually got an email from the Japanese and they said they had just finished talking to the Cubans and had asked them about their participation," Swanson said. "We've said all along that one would come with the other and this is proving it."
Having won five Olympic medals in baseball, Japan currently ranks third in the International Baseball Federation world rankings behind Cuba and the U.S. Against the top Major League players at the first two World Baseball Classic tournaments, Japan won that event in 2006 and 2009.
Based on their respective histories in international tournaments, Japan and Cuba will be the favourites to win the WBC in Prince George.
"I fully expect Japan is going to be the heartfelt favourite by the time this tournament is said and done," said Swanson. "Just the warmth and the way the Japanese people carry themselves with such grace and composure, even in the face of very difficult times, I've been so impressed in dealing with these people."
Tickets are now on sale at the CN Centre box office or through the website www.ticketmaster.ca, with tournament packages selling for $149 (bleacher seats) or $199 (reserved seats). Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Contact Shawn Rice, 250-612-9856.
