Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

Here's a look at the following dates in the World of baseball. April 1: Last day to request unconditional release waivers on a player without having to pay his full 2008 salary. April 5: Opening Day, active rosters reduced to 25 players. June 9-10: Amateur Draft. July 14: All-Star Game, St. Louis. July 26: Hall of Fame inductions, Cooperstown, N.Y. July 31: Last day to trade a player without securing waivers. Until then, see ya at the park!

WBC Ratings With the World Baseball Classic over and Japan the winners again for a second time, the viewer ratings came out. 1.3 average rating for the WBC on ESPN up to the semifinals. A 37.8 rating in Japan for their first-round games. Interesting. November is Better One thing that must be pointed, and as I said in the past, November is much better for the World Baseball Classic . I wrote about this back in January and again, with the platform of MLBLogs , reiterate that the timing of this was not good. My mind was put to rest when Chipper Jones Long Island Newsday that the "Classic should be moved to the fall." His main concern, as is mine, is that the players are in "game-shape" and "injuries will probably be minimal. " All I ask is that the Classic is kept alive and going, but just move it to November after the World Series . It will be a homerun for everyone. Until then, see ya at the park!

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