Major League Baseball announced Wednesday that the semifinals and final of the 2013 World Baseball Classic will be played at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
The WBC is an international event that will include 28 teams, many of them filled with major league stars. It will take place next March, although exact dates have not been announced.
Jonathan Sanchez was the only member of the Giants' active roster to play in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, but several Giants likely will appear on the rosters in 2013. Buster Posey, Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner are among those who could represent the United States. Melky Cabrera would seem to be a lock for the Dominican Republic roster, and Pablo Sandoval is a likely choice for Venezuela.
Javier Lopez represented Puerto Rico in 2009, and Gregor Blanco was part of the Venezuelan team. Sergio Romo has in the past expressed interest in playing for Mexico.
"For me, it was something I really wanted to do last time," Romo said earlier this season. "I'd be extremely proud to do it next year. I would assume that they would ask me.
"If they ask me, they ask me. If not, I still root for Mexico."
Outfielder Nate Schierholtz represented the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and said he so enjoyed the experience that he plans on wearing his suit from the Opening Ceremony on the next Giants trip, which coincides with the London Olympics.
Schierholtz said the World Baseball Classic will bring an entirely different feel to AT&T Park.
"International events are always crazier because you've got every country and different flags, and it kind of brings a feel that's different than a normal baseball game," Schierholtz said. "People root for their country, so it's a little bit different and it's about pride more than about just winning a baseball game."
First-round games will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., MLB said. Second-round games will take place at Marlins Park in Miami.
Japan, which won the first two Classics in 2006 and 2009, has threatened not to participate in 2013 because its demand for a larger share of revenue hasn't been met.
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