The Trolley Dodger

It won’t be happening until 2013, but the next World Baseball Classic will be significantly larger than the previous editions. Twelve countries larger, in fact.

Here’s the new teams:

• Brazil
• Colombia
• Czech Republic
• France
• Germany
• Great Britain
• Israel
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• Philippines
• Spain
• Thailand

They join the existing countries to form a 28-team field. Previously:

• Australia
• Canada
• China
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Panama
• Puerto Rico
• South Africa
• Taiwan (AKA Chinese Taipei)
• USA
• Venezuela

Should be interesting! On a personal note, I’m hoping there’s a Team Ireland some day. If Mike Piazza can play for Team Italy, it seems like there should be enough Irish guys around to put something together. ;)

AP: World Baseball Classic expands

DODGER STADIUM TO HOST TSUNAMI RELIEF EVENT TOMORROW

Donors will receive tickets to exhibition game at Dodger Stadium

WHAT: The Dodgers and NBC LA will hold a "drive-through" relief event at Dodger Stadium tomorrow to help raise money for the American Red Cross Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.

WHO: Dodger alumni Bobby Castillo, Kenny Landreaux, Rudy Law, Al Ferrara, Jimmy Campanis and Derrel Thomas and NBC LA on-air personalities will be on hand to take donations.

Donors who give $20 or more will each receive two tickets to an upcoming Spring Training exhibition game at Dodger Stadium.

WHEN: TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 15 - 5:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Dodger Stadium Parking Lot 1

Media should enter the stadium through Gate A at Sunset and Elysian Park Ave. Parking Lot 1 is directly to the left of Gate A.

MISC: Monetary donations of cash and checks will be accepted. Checks should be made out to American Red Cross with "Japan Tsunami Fund" in the memo line.

The Dodgers have a long-standing history with Japan dating back to the 1950s. Current Dodgers from Japan include pitcher Hiroki Kuroda and three minor league players. Nine members of the front office are also originally from Japan.

Media planning to cover the event should contact the Dodgers' Public Relations department at (323) 224-1301.

Via Jordon Bastian on Twitter:

@MLBastian: Ichiro ejected after drawing a line in the dirt to show home-plate ump Brian Runge exactly where that “strike” was.

@MLBastian: Drawing a line in the sand earns Ichiro 1st career tossing – MLB or Japan. Also 1st Mariner (coach or player) ejected in 2009

UPDATE:

Video is up!

Hiroki Kuroda vs Hideki Matsui Carp vs Giants, September 7, 2002.

2007 NPB All Star Game July 20, 2007