USA 8, Cuba 5. USA improves to 3-0 in Venezuela. Next up is Mexico, the only other remaining undefeated team.

Hey WillieBobo, now you can get off their backs!

Amen, Midlo, Amen.

Woohoo! One of our local boys is on that team. He's quite an inspiration to our younger boys since many know him>

This isn't the medal round.

If they throw Weber against them in the finals or semis, they should take gold.

I'm not on the kids' backs, I'm keeping USA Baseball's feet to the fire.

They're very sensitive. They react harshly when criticized. Usually they cut off their noses to spite their faces.

So . . . it's not the medal round. It IS the first time USA YNT has beaten Cuba since the Gold Medal game of 2000. How about a couple of attaboys from you for the players AND the USA Baseball folks. And if they lose to Cuba later, they still beat them yesterday. Even you can't take that away. I'm not sure Mexico will be an easy win either. And the USA team has lots of pitching left. Weber (not Webber), yes, but they have 5 other good pitchers that haven't seen the field yet. Come on Willie, give it up for the good ole US of A. I know, it's a long step down off that soapbox, but you can do it!

I'm all for the USA.

I'm all for the kids playing.

I'll still try my best to keep USA Baseball's feet to the fire.

I've come to expect great things from our teams and our nation.

Until the gold is around their necks, the pressure is on.

Athletes cannot rest on their laurels until they stop playing.

WB - I agree with you about not stopping until the job is done. Believe me, they are not stopping. I assure you, they feel the pressure and know that "it's on." I don't think a little applause will lead to them "resting on their laurels." You are digging a deeper hole, WB. When and if the Gold is around their necks, no one is going to want your congratulations. Your cynicism has made any future accolades from you seem hollow and meaningless. Just what do you think you are doing to "keep USA Baseball's feet to the fire."? Do you think your grousing is responsible for any of the improvements that may or may not have taken place at USA Baseball or that may or may not take place in the future? I doubt it. You will not be able to claim any credit for any medal they win, just as you don't have to be responsible for any medals not won. I find myself wondering if you are secretly hoping the the USA loses just to support all your hooey about how baseball in the USA is going to hell in a handbasket. If they win Gold, it sure is inconvenient for your theory, now isn't it? Please say it ain't so, Willie. Just say, "Congratulations, guys."

p.s. USA 8, Mexico 0 in the 8th inning.

Final: USA 8, Mexico 1

WillieBoBo - I recommend jellied cranberry sauce - and some stuffed mushrooms - to go with the crow you are eating.

Rubber bisquits always bounce back LOL

I'm not eating crow or downing US ballplayers. The boys know that winning in pool play is not winning the ring or trophy.

As I have stated quite often, it isn't me who has the MLB with 27% foreign ball players and the minors 46% foreign ball players, it is the MLB.

As far as USA Baseball is concerned, they know that they are doing a poor job in recent years. They know they have squandered their existence since 1978. They should be a well known organization, but they aren't.

Maybe next year, they'll manage to include more ball players from across the nation in the tournaments for the YNT. Maybe they'll even scout some ball players from the named organizations who sponsor teams in the Tournament of Stars.

They have been very lax in their efforts.

And maybe, BOBO , you will realize what there is a world is outside of your BIASED MIND!!!!!


Now that I think about it you never answered my questions--can you?

The USA will keep getting better every year. There are very, very talented kids in this nation and we'll compeate at a high level every year.

USA 8, Mexico 1. USA is the lone undefeated team at 4-0. Cuba has two losses and will probably need to win out just to make the playoffs.

Where is the BOBO!!!!!

My grousing has already had effect in this era of the blog and message board. Many people have come to be aware of USA Baseball and the poor job that they have done in their stated goals since 1978.

The problems with baseball were made glaringly obvious in the World Baseball Clasic when the foreign players left to play for their home countries.

Again, while I am always rooting for the USA, I don't celebrate in pool play.

I have met and talked to four of the boys on the team from this area and they are well aware of this fact.

I gave them the age old baseball advice. To the fielders, catch it before you throw it. To the pitchers, stay ahead in the count and keep the ball in the park. When batting, only swing at strikes.

They seem to have a beter grasp of my viewpoint than many adults on the board.

But that does not make your viewpoint correct !!!

I have this mental image of someone sitting at a keyboard, delusionally thinking his rants are changing the world, when really all he is accomplishing is to annoy a handful of people.

Life in the internet age ....

MLB gives the numbers on foreign ball players.

USA Baseball gives the data on their abysmal record of capturing gold against tiny island nations.

There are none so blind as those who will not see.

quote:

Originally posted by WillieBobo:
USA Baseball gives the data on their abysmal record of capturing gold against tiny island nations.

Don't some of the better baseball players come from those "tiny island nations"?

I thought I was the one being accused of saying that foreign ballplayers are better than our kids playing ball.

I'd bet that if as much money was spent in finding these top notch foreign players, you could find five American players to each one just as good.