Baseball is a global game with players from all over the world playing in many different leagues. It wasn’t until the past 20 years that the game advanced to international tournaments. Let’s look at how the game has grown.
Baseball became an official sport in the Olympics in 1992 and was played until 2008. Thankfully, it was picked up again in the 2020 Japan Games and will be featured in the 2028 Summer Games in LA.
2006 is when the game started to grow internationally further, and the Olympics were not the only international tournament anymore. The World Baseball Classic made its debut in 2006. The tournament took several international teams, and they all battled for the trophy.
Since its inception, the WBC has been a massive hit among baseball fans. It gives fans the perfect opportunity to watch players compete from other leagues that you may not get to see during the regular season. The WBC has also become a massive showcase for international players to get a chance in the MLB.
After his incredible performance, Daisuke Matsuzaka won MVP in the 2006 WBC. That was all MLB teams needed to see, as he was signed for a record 51.1 million by the Red Sox over the winter.
The WBC has hosted some of the best moments in international baseball. Some highlights for interested fans are Adam Jones home run robbery, the Japan and Mexico Semi Finals 2023, and Puerto Rico vs Netherlands 2017.
The WBC is not the only international tournament that has helped bridge the gap between the Olympics. In 2015, Premier12 debuted. The Premier12 is the same as the WBC, but the selection of players Is different. Unlike the WBC, the Premier12 only allows players not on a 40-man roster from the MLB.
Premier12 has become a great showcase for the younger generation of international players. With baseball returning to the Olympics, it is great to look at what has filled in the gap.
With the rise of non-Olympic international baseball tournaments, more and more players want to represent their team. The WBC in 2026 is shaping up to be the most star-studded event in its history.
