Sites Set for 2nd World Baseball Classic

Mexico City, San Juan, Tokyo and Toronto were selected Monday to host first-round games during the second World Baseball Classic in 2009.

The tournament, with the same 16 countries that played in the first WBC in 2006, will switch from a round-robin to a double-elimination format during the first two rounds. Japan won the initial event, beating Cuba 10-6 in the final at San Diego.

Officials think the selection of four venues outside the continental United States to host the first round provides an opportunity to show baseball's global appeal and help return the sport to the Olympics after it is eliminated following the 2008 Games in Beijing.

''Absolutely, it will help,'' said Paul J. Archey, senior vice president of international business operations for Major League Baseball. ''I don't think there's any doubt that the success of the WBC in 2006 and again in 2009 demonstrates the interest in the game.''

Sites for the later rounds have not yet been announced. Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is the leading candidate to host the semifinals and final.

''The 2009 World Baseball Classic will further demonstrate the remarkable global growth of our game,'' baseball commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. ''There has been incredible demand to host the games of the second World Baseball Classic.''

The lineup:

—China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan will play in Group A at the Tokyo Dome from March 5-9.

—Australia, Cuba, Mexico and South Africa will play in Group B at Mexico City's Foro Sol Stadium from March 8-12.

—Canada, Italy, United States and Venezuela will play in Group C at Toronto's Rogers Centre from March 8-12.

—Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico will play in Group D at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium from March 7-11.

Unlike 2006, teams that advance from the second round will cross over for the semifinals and face opponents from the other side of the bracket.

In the first WBC, Daisuke Matsuzaka was chosen MVP before spending his final season with the Seibu Lions. He joined the Boston Red Sox in 2007, went 15-12 with a 4.40 ERA and is scheduled to start the opening game of the regular season Tuesday night against the Oakland Athletics and starter Joe Blanton. The teams play again Wednesday night with Boston's Jon Lester facing Rich Harden.

Harden, a Canadian, missed the last WBC after undergoing surgery.

''It's every kid's dream growing up to represent your country,'' he said at a news conference where the sites and teams were announced. ''I'm very excited.''

The tournament could present some interesting matchups between major league teammates. Matsuzaka could end up trying to strike out Jason Varitek, his batterymate with Boston. The catcher joked that he would bunt and try to steal second.

For Red Sox utility infielder Alex Cora, having a first-round pool in Puerto Rico provides a chance to spur interest in baseball in his homeland.

''Baseball in Puerto Rico has been fading,'' he said. ''We didn't have a winter ball league this year for the first time in 70 years.''

Some players thought the 2006 tournament was held too early in spring training, leaving them physically unprepared to play at full strength. Boston reliever Mike Timlin has said physical problems later that season stemmed from that.

But many players who participated were enthusiastic.

''The coolest part for me was just to see how baseball has gone worldwide,'' Oakland closer Huston Street said.

Harvey W. Schiller, president of the International Baseball Federation, said efforts are being made to restore baseball to the Olympics. The sport can apply to the IOC in 2009 for readmission to the 2016 games.

Varitek played in the first Olympic baseball tournament in 1992.

''I'd hate to have it taken away from other people,'' he said.