Tales and Topics from the Panhandle to the Keys – World Baseball Classic Spans the Globe
World Baseball Classic Spans the Globe – Volume 1, Edition 9
By Nick Gandy
In the last few years, Major League Baseball has made some significant changes to the game. There’s the pitch clock, the runner starting on second base in the 10th inning of regular season games and the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System.
All have been met with differing opinions.
Here’s one Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred should consider for the future of Major League Baseball. It’s one that will be universally accepted.
Musical instruments at Major League Baseball games.
It’s encouraged at World Baseball Classic Games in Miami’s loanDepot Park.
I kid you not. It’s in the “Know Before You Go,” email received by ticket purchasers.
“At loanDepot park, approved musical instruments are not only permitted, but are encouraged throughout the ballpark! Fans are asked to follow the below guidelines in accordance with ballpark and World Baseball Classic policies.”
- Instrument cases are not permitted upon entry.
- Instruments may only be played in seating areas during the game.
- Instruments can only be played on the concourses during pregame and postgame.
- Instrument use may not interfere with gameplay or other guests’ enjoyment of the game.
- The cowbell percussion instrument is permitted, but additional cowbell styles may be denied entry.
Ok, there are some guidelines. But if you want to blow your horn, or bang on the drum all day, or insist on more cowbell, bring it on. There’s still a week of World Baseball Classic games, in Miami, through March 17. That’s the date of the Championship Game to be played with some serious rhythm, depending on the finalists.
“Miami Marlins games and World Baseball Classic games are definitely not the same,” said Mat Ratner, the Senior Director, Sports & Entertainment for Greater Miami and Miami Beach. “It’s a much different atmosphere celebrating the culture of the team’s fans and their place of birth. Miami is a very international city, but these games bring it to the nth degree.”
Floridians love their March baseball and have flocked to Florida Spring Training Games for more than 100 years. For the 2026 season, a 13th host community, Miami, has been added for spring baseball with a 15-game World Baseball Classic schedule.
This is the fifth time World Baseball Classic games have been played in Miami and 2026 will mark the second time loanDepot Park will host the championship game.
We love our spring training baseball in Florida, but this international tournament adds another level of excitement to America’s Pastime.
Several of the team rosters read like an All-Star Game lineup.
Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes lead the U.S. team. Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. are in the lineup for the Dominican Republic. Shohei Otani and Seiya Suzuki look to lead Japan to its fourth World Baseball Classic title. Each team has MLB talent dotted throughout their rosters.
MLB Hall of Famer, John Smoltz, commented during the U.S./Italy game on Tuesday night, “It’s a playoff game being played in March, when most players are getting their timing down.”
Through eight pool-play round games at loanDepot Park, more than 200,000 fans have cheered on the Pool D teams, the Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua, the Netherlands and Venezuela.
Games featuring the Dominican Republic team have averaged over 32,000 fans per game. More than 28,000 were in attendance on Monday’s 12 Noon start game against Israel.
The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau calculated the economic impact of the 2023 World Baseball Classic to be approximately $267 million. The championship game between the U.S. and Japan drew 5.2 million viewers in the U.S. and 62 million in Japan.
“International baseball just brings a different kind of energy,” said Gillian Constable, a sports event manager for the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, who attended the March 6 game between the Netherlands and Venezuela.
“Fans proudly representing their countries, flags waving throughout the ballpark, and some of the best players in the world competing on the same field. It’s the kind of environment that reminds you how powerful the game can be on a global stage.”
For Wednesday’s game between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, the final game of pool play, only upper level seats remain.
The same can be said for the Semifinal rounds (March 15 and 16) and the Championship game to be played on Tuesday, March 17.
two teams from Pool C, Korea and Japan, have already advanced to the quarterfinal round at loanDepot Park. Their opponents will be decided by Wednesday night’s showdown. The winner advances to play Korea, while the loser moves into the bracket with Japan.
Two very different cultures. Asia and Latin America. Both avid followers of baseball and both agree on having MLB add another aspect to the traditional nine inning game seen in the U.S. between April and November.
Oh, and one more thing for Commissioner Manfred. I attended a Savannah Banana Ball Game in Tallahassee recently and thought the idea of players roaming through the stands was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve witnessed at a baseball game. Maybe something to consider for spring training games?
Players come out of the games after the middle innings and walk down the foul line to the clubhouse. Maybe have them make their way through the concourse. I tell ya, the kids at the Banana Ball game loved it. The players seemed to be enjoying themselves as well.
That’s it for now. Musical instruments at games and players roaming the stands.
Nick Gandy is a 40-year sports communications professional who has worked with the Florida Sports Foundation, the state of Florida’s lead sports promotion and development organization, since 1998.