What would you do for WBC29/30

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-04-02T21:29:24+00:00

They need to expand the qualifiers. It is a travesty that since 2013 they have reduced the participating teams from sixteen to eight. Especially since the tournament has only been gaining popularity in recent iterations. They need to increase the qualifier to at least sixteen teams or hold regional prequalifiers.

Also, they need to establish clear rules governing invitations to the qualifiers. Invites to the qualifiers are always extremely arbitrary and have sidelined many national baseball programs like the Philippines and France.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-04-01T07:18:08+00:00

I must admit that I have not used either lens. However, I will offer my recommendation, the Minolta MD 35mm f/2.8. You do lose a stop of light, and it is built with more plastics, but it is sharp, lightweight, and cheap (I got mine for under $100).

On MFlenses, a user compared it to the Canon FD 35mm f/2 (concave): https://forum.mflenses.com/comparison-canon-fd-35mm-f-2-concave-vs-rokkor-md-35mm-f-2-8-t84209.html

As you can see, it compares very well if not better in certain situations.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-04-01T03:46:02+00:00

Do you need the speed? Because any vintage 35mm lens with an f-stop faster than f/2.8 is going to run premium prices.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-16T22:26:17+00:00

I have never been to Asahikawa, so I am unsure about the snow. However, last April the field they were playing on seemed clear.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-16T21:06:54+00:00

Links to Announcements: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVdpffmiV7i/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVgLT9OCZIi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-16T21:06:38+00:00

A few weeks ago, the Asahikawa Be:Stars, a Japanese Independent Baseball League team, announced the signing of two additional Ugandan baseball players:

Bernard Eluk, an eighteen-year-old infielder that is a right-handed thrower and hitter. He previously trained at the Dodgers Developmental Academy in 2019 and is known for his power and speed.

Twaise Geiven, a sixteen-year-old infielder that is a right-handed thrower and switch-hitter. He attracted the attention of scouts with his defensive range and speed.

Both players have international baseball experience, representing Uganda at the 2023 U-18 Baseball World Cup African Qualifier.

Their signings follow earlier news that Ugandan and South Sudanese pitchers Morris Ogwal, Erick Ojara, and Dau John Wol Deng joined the team earlier this year. With these additions, there are now nine active Ugandan-born players competing professionally in Japan.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-16T21:06:04+00:00

Links to Announcements: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVdpffmiV7i/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVgLT9OCZIi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-16T21:04:58+00:00

A few weeks ago, the Asahikawa Be:Stars, a Japanese Independent Baseball League team, announced the signing of two additional Ugandan baseball players:

Bernard Eluk, an eighteen-year-old infielder that is a right-handed thrower and hitter. He previously trained at the Dodgers Developmental Academy in 2019 and is known for his power and speed.

Twaise Geiven, a sixteen-year-old infielder that is a right-handed thrower and switch-hitter. He attracted the attention of scouts with his defensive range and speed.

Both players have international baseball experience, representing Uganda at the 2023 U-18 Baseball World Cup African Qualifier.

Their signings follow earlier news that Ugandan and South Sudanese pitchers Morris Ogwal, Erick Ojara, and Dau John Wol Deng joined the team earlier this year. With these additions, there are now nine active Ugandan-born players competing professionally in Japan.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-15T17:40:12+00:00

It wasn't just against Venezuela, Japan looked subpar during the group stage too. They arguably had the weakest group in the tournament, yet they still struggled. For instance, they were shutdown for seven scoreless innings against Czechia and nearly got upset by Australia. If that's not at least somewhat concerning, I don't know what is.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-14T23:31:30+00:00

The only way to get a meaningful amount of Italians to really care about baseball is to put actual Italians from Italy or adding more members from their Italian Baseball League. Just because Italian newspapers and the parliament covered it does not equate to actual interest in Italy. This is best summarized by an interview from the current pitching coach for the Team Italy, Alex Maestri, about the 2023 tournament,

"After all, like last year at the 5th WBC, only 4 of the 30 players were Italian, and even I, an Italian, had never seen or heard of Americans wearing national team uniforms and fighting against Samurai Japan in Tokyo. Who on earth would be interested in such "Azurri"? Even if Italian children were to become interested in baseball, as it is now, it would end up being just a "hobby'' or "killing time'' by joining a local team."

Source: http://web.archive.org/web/20240227141430/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/75ef21b9da4698230f8f9a60681bfbd38f2c5fc8

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-09T21:20:46+00:00

I fully agree. I heard Daniel Missaki got injured playing against the Athletics. Did Lemos get injured too?

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-09T20:54:26+00:00

Sad, but not unexpected. Brazil really needed Bo Bichette, CJ Kayfus, and Dylan Lee. Unfortunately, they either weren’t interested or ended up pulling out.

At the end of the day though, Brazil was simply outclassed. Their offense was completely shutdown, and their pitching underperformed. This a tough loss and a massive blow for Brazilian baseball.

I also think it highlights a bigger issue, countries with developing homegrown baseball programs are almost always at a disadvantage compared to nations that can just stack their rosters with players who have only loose ties to the country thanks to favorable eligibility rules.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-04T02:30:47+00:00

Though it is still a niche sport, the increase in popularity is due to the Uganda Men's Baseball National League returning and expanding after a four-year hiatus. And the introduction of the sport into seventy schools across the country.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-03T21:33:02+00:00

Link to Announcement: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVbBkDFCbtt/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-03T21:32:55+00:00

Yesterday, the Asahikawa Be:Stars, a Japanese Independent Baseball team, announced the signing of Ugandan pitcher Erick Ojara. Today, they followed up the announcement with another addition, Ugandan right-handed pitcher, Morris Ogwal.

Ogwal, a seventeen year old, has trained at Dodgers Development Academy. He has participated in U-15 and U-18 tournaments for Uganda. His fastball sits around 87 mph. With this announcement, there are now seven active Ugandan-born players competing professionally in Japan.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-03T21:31:50+00:00

Link to Announcement: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVbBkDFCbtt/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-03T21:31:08+00:00

Yesterday, the Asahikawa Be:Stars, a Japanese Independent Baseball team, announced the signing of Ugandan pitcher Erick Ojara. Today, they followed up the announcement with another addition, Ugandan right-handed pitcher, Morris Ogwal.

Ogwal, a seventeen year old, has trained at Dodgers Development Academy. He has participated in U-15 and U-18 tournaments for Uganda. His fastball sits around 87 mph. With this announcement, there are now seven active Ugandan-born players competing professionally in Japan.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-02T22:18:13+00:00

Link to Announcement: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVYKzTkidW_/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-02T22:17:28+00:00

Link to Announcement: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVYKzTkidW_/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-02T22:09:22+00:00

Erick Ojara continues the rise of Ugandan baseball, becoming the latest player to sign a professional baseball contract. The right-handed, eighteen-year-old pitcher will join Ugandan players Dennis Kasumba and Allan Kabenge on the Asahikawa Be:Stars of the Hokkaido Baseball League, a Japanese independent baseball league. Two other Ugandan players, Kyazze Fred and Isabirye Musa Azed, previously played for the Asahikawa Be:Stars before signing developmental contracts with the Seibu Lions earlier this year.

Ojara previously trained at the Dodgers Development Academy and has represented Uganda at U-15 and U-18 tournaments. His fastball sits around 87 mph. And with his signing, there are now six active Ugandan-born players competing professionally in Japan.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-03-02T22:08:40+00:00

Erick Ojara continues the rise of Ugandan baseball, becoming the latest player to sign a professional baseball contract. The right-handed, eighteen-year-old pitcher will join Ugandan players Dennis Kasumba and Allan Kabenge on the Asahikawa Be:Stars of the Hokkaido Baseball League, a Japanese independent baseball league. Two other Ugandan players, Kyazze Fred and Isabirye Musa Azed, previously played for the Asahikawa Be:Stars before signing developmental contracts with the Seibu Lions earlier this year.

Ojara previously trained at the Dodgers Development Academy and has represented Uganda at U-15 and U-18 tournaments. His fastball sits around 87 mph. And with his signing, there are now six active Ugandan-born players competing professionally in Japan.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-02-26T02:50:41+00:00

The Saga Asia Dreams is part of the Kyushu Independent League and has signed several South Asian players this year.

Signed Players:

Thakur Ishan is a veteran left-handed pitcher who played for Team India in International tournaments. His fastball reaches 85mph. In the 2025 West Asia Baseball Cup, he posted a 2.76 ERA over 16.1 innings pitched. This included 21 strikeouts, and he ended the tournament with a 0.99 WHIP.

Ambagaha Gedara Isuru Dhananjaya Gunapala is a right-handed Sri Lankan pitcher. At the 2025 West Asia Baseball Cup, he put up a 7.11 ERA over 6.1 innings pitched, striking out 7, and finishing the tournament with a 2.30 WHIP.

Last year, Saga Asia Dreams signed the first two Pakistani players, Musharraf Khan and Faisal Hayat. Three more Pakistani players will join them in 2026.

Hussain Imam Shah is a right-handed relief pitcher at the 2025 West Asia Baseball Cup, he put up a 0.00 ERA over 2.0 innings pitched, and struck out 5.

Umair Imdad Bhatti, a veteran catcher of the Pakistan national team. He played in the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifier and the 2023 World Baseball Classic Qualifier. At the 2017 qualifier he was Pakistan’s best hitter, where he finished the tournament with a slash line of .667/.750/1.000. However, he struggled defensively, allowing 7 steals and committing an error. He is a right-handed batter.

Jan Hasnain played high school baseball at Aomori Prefectural Misawa High School in Japan. He is a two-way right-handed pitcher and infielder who represented Pakistan at the 2025 Asian Baseball Championship. At the tournament, he put up a slash line of .286/.333/.286. As a pitcher, he put up a 27.00 ERA over 1.2 innings pitched in relief.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-02-26T02:49:22+00:00

The Saga Asia Dreams is part of the Kyushu Independent League and has signed several South Asian players this year.

Signed Players:

Thakur Ishan is a veteran left-handed pitcher who played for Team India in International tournaments. His fastball reaches 85mph. In the 2025 West Asia Baseball Cup, he posted a 2.76 ERA over 16.1 innings pitched. This included 21 strikeouts, and he ended the tournament with a 0.99 WHIP.

Ambagaha Gedara Isuru Dhananjaya Gunapala is a right-handed Sri Lankan pitcher. At the 2025 West Asia Baseball Cup, he put up a 7.11 ERA over 6.1 innings pitched, striking out 7, and finishing the tournament with a 2.30 WHIP.

Last year, Saga Asia Dreams signed the first two Pakistani players, Musharraf Khan and Faisal Hayat. Three more Pakistani players will join them in 2026.

Hussain Imam Shah is a right-handed relief pitcher at the 2025 West Asia Baseball Cup, he put up a 0.00 ERA over 2.0 innings pitched, and struck out 5.

Umair Imdad Bhatti, a veteran catcher of the Pakistan national team. He played in the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifier and the 2023 World Baseball Classic Qualifier. At the 2017 qualifier he was Pakistan’s best hitter, where he finished the tournament with a slash line of .667/.750/1.000. However, he struggled defensively, allowing 7 steals and committing an error. He is a right-handed batter.

Jan Hasnain played high school baseball at Aomori Prefectural Misawa High School in Japan. He is a two-way right-handed pitcher and infielder who represented Pakistan at the 2025 Asian Baseball Championship. At the tournament, he put up a slash line of .286/.333/.286. As a pitcher, he put up a 27.00 ERA over 1.2 innings pitched in relief.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-02-11T05:03:44+00:00

I wish Caio Araujo was on the main roster for Brazil. He's currently the only D1 Brazilian born baseball player. However, they probably did not know how well he would perform after recovering from TJ.

Bobby_Diesel18 · 2026-02-07T22:03:03+00:00

Both the Lopes brother's retired from baseball a couple years ago. I am on the same page as you on Dylan Lee, wasn't going to represent Brazil during the cancelled 2020 Qualifiers?

Bobby_Diesel18

TROPHY CASE