‘09 World Baseball Classic sites announced

O sure, there was the posting about how a strong team USA would help the event in the states, but what of the actual announcement itself?

• China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan will play in Group A at Tokyo from March 5-9.

• Australia, Cuba, Mexico and South Africa will play in Group B at Mexico City from March 8-12.

• Canada, Italy, United States and Venezuela will play in Group C at Toronto from March 8-12.

• Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico will play in Group D at San Juan from March 7-11.

Wonder if they will use a Humidor for Mexico City games?
O, and remember the DR’s threat of not playing?

While Dominican Republic team officials told ESPNDeportes.com earlier this month that the country would not participate if it was not considered among the sites for one of the three rounds of the tournament, Gene Orza, general counsel for the players’ association, said the country accepted the invitation.