With the 2022 World Series set to begin, Fox Sports announced they secured exclusive broadcasting rights to the 2023 World Baseball Classic that is set to begin on March 7 from Japan, Taiwain and in the United States.
After being delayed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WBC in conjunction with agreements from both Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, qualifiers began in September of this year, leading up to the tournament.
Four additional spots were added to the original field of 16, which will now stand at 20 national teams from around the world.
Fox Sports will air all 47 WBC games across all of their networks, including FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes, Tubi, and the FOX Sports app in the U.S. Locations for the games range from the Tokyo Dome (Japan), Taichung Intercontinental Stadium (Taiwan), Chase Field (Phoenix) and loanDepot park (Miami).
The WBC is headed by MLB and the MLBPA and sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, with the U.S. roster to be managed by Mark DeRosa, member of the 2009 WBC roster. His staff is set to include Hall of Famer Ken Griffy Jr(hitting coach), Andy Pettitte(pitching coach), Dino Ebel(third base coach), Dave Righetti(bullpen coach), Lou Collier(first base coach), and Jerry Manuel(bench coach).
Opening rounds will take place in Tokyo, Taiwan, Miami and Phoenix, and wraps up with semifinal games at loanDepot park from March 19-20 and the championship game in Miami on Tuesday, March 21.
Shohei Ohtani’s role in World Baseball Classic
With the WBC set to begin in March, just before the start of the 2023 MLB regular season, Los Angeles Angels two-way star, Shohei Ohtani has received the okay from his current team to be apart of team Japan.
To keep his ramp-up for the MLB season intact, a likely role for Ohtani would be to serve as the team’s closer, which would be most optimal to limit his usage heading into the year. His presence at the plate will undoubtebly be a factor on their roster, but as much of a competitor as Ohtani is, he should be expected to play at his highest level in any way he can.
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