The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About The World Baseball Classic
Break out your Team U.S.A. shirt because the World Baseball Classic is here and it features Olympic-like excitement.
There will be peanuts and Cracker Jacks,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – Do you have burning questions about the NCAA March Madness tournament that you were too shy to ask or are simply curious about the craziness that is the bracket? We want to answer your questions in our March Madness 101. Submit them via email, Twitter or Facebook.
Five Things to Know About the World Baseball Classic
- The World Baseball Classic (WBC) consists of teams from all over the world playing in a global baseball tournament. The tournament essentially acts as a replacement for the Olympics since baseball was dropped in 2012. There are 16 countries represented in the tournament, which runs March 6 – 22.
- Major League Baseball (MLB) found a new revenue stream with the Classic, which takes place every four years in March during spring training for MLB teams. (Spring training is the period where teams prepare for the upcoming season).
- Players do not have to play in MLB to participate but they must have been born in or have one parent born in the country they’re representing. Due to the grueling 162 game MLB season, many of the top players for Team U.S.A. have opted not to play.
- Israel is fast becoming the Cinderella team of the tournament, beating teams ranked much higher than them. The team has been wearing shirts proclaiming themselves as the “Jew Crew” and their mascot is “Mensch on the Bench.” (You might remember the doll came on the market as a take on Elf on the Shelf). During their national anthem the team removes their caps but still don yarmulkes.
- Japan has taken home two WBC Championships and the Dominican Republic has claimed one.
Overtime
- This Sunday is Selection Sunday, the big day where the NCAA March Madness bracket is released. Be the first to sign up to play in our March Madness Bracket Challenge. This is a no pressure challenge, novices are encouraged. Did we mention there are prizes?
Sideline stat
- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is still a specimen of health after 17 seasons in the NFL (National Football League). He attributes that to his diet and now you can eat like the Super Bowl MVP with his new plant-based meal delivery company. For $78 a week, you can have Brady-like meals delivered to your door. Gisele would approve.
Coaches’ corner
- NFL free agency begins on Thursday at 4 pm. This is a chance for the free agents (i.e. players without a commitment to a team/players who are “in between jobs”) to sign with a new team. Why such a specific time? That’s when the NFL year officially starts (kind of like their own their fiscal year) and players can be released from their teams and picked up by other teams. Curious which free agents are going where? Click here.
The Rundown: Speed Demon
A new record was set this weekend - 4.22 seconds. We investigated what else happens in less than five seconds? Well, McDonald's sells 365 burgers, 205,000 Facebook posts are posted and 21 babies are born.
It happens in a flash,
The Last Night's Game Team
Soccer
- All rise. U.S.A. soccer has adopted a new policy stating that players must stand for the national anthem. Some players previously took a knee during the song to protest social injustice.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- Global games. The World Baseball Classic started this morning with Israel taking on Korea in Seoul, South Korea. The Classic is essentially the Olympics for baseball. Teams representing their respective countries compete every four years. Stay tuned for more on the World Baseball Classic in Wednesday’s Five Things to Know.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- Slow down speedy. In the second race of the season, Kevin Harvick led the majority of the race but was penalized for speeding on pit row (that’s where the cars receive new tires, gas and/or quick maintenance). The added time from the penalty caused Harvick to lose to Brad Keselowski.
Overtime
- If you thought the Kardashians had family drama, wait until you hear this story. Jim Buss was the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers until he died and then the team went his kids. Daughter Jeanie Buss fired her brother Jim as the team’s head of basketball operations two weeks ago. Her two brothers then called a meeting to elect a new board of directors that didn’t include Jeanie. A restraining order followed. Something tells us this is just heating up.
Sideline stat
- At the NFL (National Football League) Combine John Ross from Washington broke the 40-yard dash record, which stood for nine years, running it in 4.22 seconds. Although, Ross missed out on the option of a private island or a $1 million prize offered by Adidas because he was wearing Nike cleats. No island for you. (Missed out on what the NFL Combine is? Here’s our Five Things to Know).
Coaches’ corner
- There is no police radar gun in NASCAR and the cars do not have speedometers. So how do the authorities know how fast the car is going to hand out a speeding penalty? Speed is determined by sensors that calculate how fast the car moves through zones.
The Rundown: Best Enjoyed With Friends
We haven’t been this excited about Friday since last Friday. It’s a great weekend to put your newfound sports knowledge to the test.
Show them what you’ve got,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLS (Major League Soccer)
- Here we go. The MLS season begins today and runs through December. (MLS is the league David Beckham played for when he played in the U.S.). Here are a few MLS pointers for your Friday night happy hour.
- There are two new teams this season. Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC bringing the total to 22 teams in the league.
- Unlike most professional sports, MLS teams are only allowed four charter flights in a season. That means you’ll see them standing in line with their A-17 boarding pass just like you and me.
- Many of the teams have “FC” in their name which stands for football club. Yes, the U.S. is the only place that doesn’t call the game of soccer “football.”
NFL (National Football League)
- Take a knee. Controversial quarterback Colin Kaepernick has opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers, becoming a free agent. Kaepernick also announced that he will now stand for the national anthem, citing major progress in the issues he took a knee for.
Overtime
- Northwestern has never made the NCAA March Madness tournament but a last second win over Michigan all but guaranteed their first tournament appearance. Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ son plays for Northwestern and her reaction to the dramatic win is priceless.
Sideline stat
- Get your sequins and spray tans because it’s time for another season of Dancing with the Stars. Season 24 premieres on March 20th and will feature some of America’s favorite faces in sports.
- Olympic gold medal gymnast, Simone Biles
- Retired Chicago Cubs catcher and the first baseball player ever on the show, David Ross
- Free agent football player, Rashad Jennings
- Former Olympic ice skater, Nancy Kerrigan
Coaches’ corner
- What is a free agent in sports? A free agent means that the player is on the market and available, they do not have ties to a team. Free agent is the sports word for “being in between jobs.”