World Baseball Classic Cancelled: Moved to 2023

As COVID-19 continues to shut down sports, they are not done yet, as the World Baseball Classic has been suspended until at least 2023.  

The qualifying event was initially scheduled for March 2020 in Tuscon, Arizona, but was already cancelled due to the pandemic, according to ESPN. That event is now pushed back to 2021.  

Those who qualified were scheduled to take place in venues in Japan, Phoenix and Miami in 2021, but the World Baseball Classic tournament is now shut down until 2023.  

Chase Grabowski is a diehard baseball fan and he was not too pleased when he found out that he has to wait for three years to watch One of the most exciting events in baseball.  

“I was surprised because the fact that it’s not until March of 2021,” said Grabowski. “But, I get it because the respective leagues need to be working efficiently for everything to happen. That is the most important need. For example, MLB and KBO.”   

Michael Erb is another baseball fanatic that was not too surprised by the announcement.  

“I wasn’t that shocked by it,” said Erb. “The Olympics is already postponed. It’s hard when you bring together so many people from different countries.  

This announcement came prior to the decision of the MLB regarding their 2020 season. The MLB has been discussing alternative plans to still hold a season of only 82 games in certain locations, according to ESPN.  

Even though Grabowski understands the decision of the World Baseball Classic, he does think they could have waited a while longer until other decisions were made on sports.  

“I think they could have waited until the MLB made a decision about their season,” said Grabowski. “It was a little bit premature.” 

However, Erb is someone who thinks they made the right decision by cancelling the World Baseball Classic.  

“I believe it was,” said Erb. “There are so many countries involved, and when you bring the pandemic to a global level, there are a lot more factors than just the game of baseball.”    

Erb went on to say how each country has battled this pandemic differently and the progression of each country is different.  

The World Baseball Classic was founded in 2006, and many believe the event is big enough to be affiliated with the Olympics.  

“The World Baseball Classic is a substitute for the Olympics and they needed something to showcase the world’s best talent,” said Grabowski. “However, I do think it should be a part of the Olympics.”    

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper discussed the World Baseball Classic on “Starting 9”, a podcast affiliated with Barstool Sports. In one of the episodes, Harper said there is no need for the World Baseball Classic if players can compete in the Olympics.  

“I think it’s much smaller than the Olympics,” said Erb. “I believe as soon as baseball becomes a part of the Olympics and U.S. athletes are allowed to compete, it will make the World Baseball Classic much less interesting.”   

Several sports fans have been struggling to get by without anything to watch.  

“The only thing getting me through is this Madden league and socializing with friends about sports,” said Grabowski. “Otherwise, this stinks.”   

Erb has begun to look at the upside of things and looks forward to seeing the return of sports.  

“It has been an adjustment for sure,” said Erb. “I think it has become easier but it will definitely be exciting to have sports back.”     

As COVID-19 continues to shut down sports, baseball fans around the world await to see the first pitch thrown in 2020.  For now, they sit patiently at home for any sport to start up again.