Baseball at the Olympics
A history of baseball at the Olympic Games, from demonstration games to five medal tournaments, the 2005 vote that removed it, the Tokyo return and the plans for 2028, with the uncertainties noted.
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Baseball in Australia
Baseball in Australia dates from the 1800s, and 35 Australian-born players have reached the major leagues. This history covers the early games, the Claxton Shield, two professional leagues, the Olympics and the MLB players.
Baseball in Canada: From the Early Game to the Expos and Blue Jays
A history of baseball in Canada, from the reported Beachville game of 1838 and Jackie Robinson in Montreal to the Expos, the Blue Jays' two titles and the Canadian-born players in the historical record.
Baseball in Cuba: History and the Players Who Left
How baseball reached Cuba in the 1860s, how the 1961 end of professional play split the island's game from the major leagues, and what the historical record shows about Cuban-born players from Bellan to the present.
Baseball in Italy: Its History, Leagues and Place in Europe
How baseball took root in Italy, where it is played, how the leagues and national team fit into European baseball, and which Italian-born players the historical record lists in the major leagues.
Baseball in Puerto Rico
A history of baseball in Puerto Rico, from the winter league and Roberto Clemente to the 53 Puerto Rico-born players who appeared in 2001, with career leaders from the historical record and the island's World Baseball Classic runs.
Baseball in the Dominican Republic: Academies and Stars
How a Caribbean country of about eleven million people became the largest foreign source of major leaguers: the game's arrival, the winter league, the academy system and the stars, with the historical data on Dominican-born players.
Baseball in the Netherlands and Curacao
How baseball became a strong sport in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, from the Dutch leagues and Haarlem to the Caribbean islands of Curacao and Aruba and the major leaguers the islands have sent to the United States.
Baseball in Venezuela
How baseball became Venezuela's game: the winter league, the shortstop tradition from Aparicio to Vizquel, the stars from Cabrera to Acuña, the numbers in the historical record and the pressures on the pipeline.
How International Prospects Sign with MLB Clubs
How a teenager from the Dominican Republic or Venezuela, or a professional from Japan or Korea, ends up on an MLB contract: signing periods, bonus pools, trainers, the posting system and the paperwork.
Koshien and Japanese High School Baseball
How the two national high school tournaments at Koshien Stadium work, why they hold such a place in Japanese life, how they feed the pro game and what the debate over pitcher workloads has changed.
The Caribbean Series and Winter Ball
Winter leagues in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico and elsewhere crown champions who meet in the Caribbean Series each February. This guide covers the leagues, the tournament's history and where the players come from.
Baseball in Taiwan: The CPBL
The history of baseball in Taiwan and the Chinese Professional Baseball League, from the Japanese colonial era and the Little League years to the 1990 founding, the scandals and the Taiwanese players who reached the majors.
The History of Baseball in Japan and Nippon Professional Baseball
How baseball reached Japan in the 1870s, grew through school tournaments and the 1934 tour, became Nippon Professional Baseball, and sent Nomo, Ichiro and Ohtani to the majors, with the league structure explained.
The International Draft Debate
Why Major League Baseball has argued for years over drafting teenage players from outside the United States, what each side says, and what the historical birthplace data show about how many big leaguers come from abroad.
The Korean Baseball Organization: History and Style
The KBO League from its 1982 start to its ten clubs today: the season and postseason, the corporate teams, the bat flips and cheering sections, and the players who have crossed to and from MLB.
Mexican Baseball: The Liga Mexicana and the Pacific League
How baseball took root in Mexico: the summer Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, the winter Pacific League, the 1946 raid on major-league rosters, and the 152 Mexican-born players in the historical record.
The Posting System for Japanese Players
How the posting system lets Japanese stars move from Nippon Professional Baseball to the majors: why it exists, how blind bids became a fee formula, the players it brought over and where its limits lie.
The Premier12 and Other International Tournaments
The Premier12 is a November tournament for the world's top 12 national teams. This guide covers its three editions, how it differs from the World Baseball Classic and the Olympics, and what the results mean.
The World Baseball Classic: Its History
A history of the World Baseball Classic from the first tournament in 2006 through 2023, with the champions, the format, the rules that make it different and the stories of each edition.
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