So there are people who love it because it beats the hell out of split-squad B-games from Bradenton. There are people who love it because of the whole national pride thing. There are people who hate it for precisely the same reason, or who decry it for being a pointless exhibition/money grab, or whatever.
I think, largely, they're missing the point.
For me, the WBC is really the spiritual heir to the old barnstorming tours that Gehrig and Ruth used to take their teams on, occasionally bouncing off Satchel Paige and squads of Negro League All-Stars or local all-star teams or whatever. Play "what if", put a couple of lineups born out of sports bar bullshit sessions - and let's face it, lots of us were playing "which country would win?" for ages before this thing got off the ground - and turn it loose.
That's all I want from it, that's all I need from it, and that's sufficient to provide me with plenty of enjoyment. I think the round system's screwy, the pitch count setup is goofy, and the pool setup's a little weird, but what the hell. It's fun to watch. After a winter without baseball, that's more than enough.
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And then there are people who love it because a country (the Netherlands) that has sent about 2 players total to MLB in its entire history can beat a country (the DR) that practically needs its own wing in the HOF. Twice.
What, have you forgotten the immortal Win Riemerswaal?
Not only that, it's been some really, really good baseball. It's been a long time since I had that 'butterflies in the stomach', edge of my seat feeling like in the 11th inning of DR vs Netherlands last night. What a great game.
Amen. Though I'm horrified that the D.R. couldn't come up with an actual first baseman.
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