The DR hosting a WBC anytime soon? Why?
Let's cut to the grain here:
The WBC was the brainchild of MLB to export the franchise to other countries and gain new would be spenders to the label. The DR is beisbol crazy already and I doubt it can get any hotter than that.
Santiago or Santo Domingo as a host to an initial phase of the elimination is not something we're ready for yet as cities. Santiago lacks too much in that field to accommodate a heavy influx of foreigners for such event (if in fact it was to be a commercial success) in any category as of now...
Santo Domingo is way too congested to have any better luck as well; I think that the DR can still play great baseball and export our image to other countries more effectively than hosting and becoming a disaster.
Down the road? A rotund "Aye" will be expected to serve as hosts, but for now we're not in any shape to host yet.
As expected MLB will "consider" the DR as a host for the 2013 classic, if we can shape up until then. Better get that new metro line to nick the Quisqueya stadium and have Santiago's Estadio Cibao on par to a MLB field and seating. Much work needs to be completed to get there...
Btw: The local beisbol big shots representing the DR to MLB already gave their OK to attend the 2009 classic...
Let's cut to the grain here:
The WBC was the brainchild of MLB to export the franchise to other countries and gain new would be spenders to the label. The DR is beisbol crazy already and I doubt it can get any hotter than that.
Santiago or Santo Domingo as a host to an initial phase of the elimination is not something we're ready for yet as cities. Santiago lacks too much in that field to accommodate a heavy influx of foreigners for such event (if in fact it was to be a commercial success) in any category as of now...
Santo Domingo is way too congested to have any better luck as well; I think that the DR can still play great baseball and export our image to other countries more effectively than hosting and becoming a disaster.
Down the road? A rotund "Aye" will be expected to serve as hosts, but for now we're not in any shape to host yet.
As expected MLB will "consider" the DR as a host for the 2013 classic, if we can shape up until then. Better get that new metro line to nick the Quisqueya stadium and have Santiago's Estadio Cibao on par to a MLB field and seating. Much work needs to be completed to get there...
Btw: The local beisbol big shots representing the DR to MLB already gave their OK to attend the 2009 classic...