Viewers the world over will be able to watch the 39 games of the inaugural World Baseball Classic on ESPN. ESPN, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reached an agreement to provide the company with exclusive US rights to the event scheduled for March. In the Dominican Republic, the Spanish division of ESPN, ESPN Deportes will offer all 39 games, highlighted by the semifinals and finals live on ESPN Deportes March 18 and March 20.
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) will match teams from 16 countries and territories playing in Tokyo, Puerto Rico and sites throughout the United States from 3 March to 20 March 2006.
The WBC will feature a bracket-style format with 16 teams competing in four groups; the 16 teams that have been invited to participate and potential pools follow: Pool A – China, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Japan, Korea; Pool B – Canada, Mexico, South Africa, United States; Pool C – Cuba, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico; Pool D – Australia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Venezuela. The winner of Pools A/B will meet the winner of Pools C/D in the final from Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.
WBC, Inc. has organized this first global baseball event in conjunction with the national organizing bodies of the 16 countries and territories.