Enough with this awful, terrible, horrible, no-good tournament known as the World Baseball Classic. Make it right and we’ll be all-in.

When international competition is cooking, nothing comes close. February of 2010 is a perfect case and point.

World class athletes skated for both Canada and the United States of America. The speed was insane, physicality maxed out and tension at all all-time high.

This is what we witnessed for three-plus grueling periods during the gold medal game that Sidney Crosby capped off in dramatic fashion.

Vancouver was “lit,” and “lit” is what hockey received for doing things the right way.

Seven years and one month later, Major League Baseball continues to be anything but “lit” when it comes to its international attitude. 

On Saturday night, the Dominican Republic stunned the United States of America with a 5-0 comeback victory in the 9th-inning. Former New York Yankees closer Andrew Miller turned out to be a major goat, blowing the save against, probably, the best lineup in the tournament.

It was a very exciting baseball game.

But who the hell cares?

The game means nothing and is further thrown down the toilet thanks to the ridiculous rules and circumstances put in place by the powers that be.

Join us as we examine why, despite tremendous potential, this tournament is a complete fraud. We’ll first bash it, point out the few positives it brings to the table during the current time and then provide Rob Manfred and baseball the keys to how to fix the damn thing and make it as good as the hockey Olympics.

Mar 5, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Minnesota Twins at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Reasons it’s Terrible

The Best Players don’t Play

How can any tournament be deemed incredibly important when the best players aren’t involved? It’s such a simple concept yet one defenders of the tournament always seem to wave aside.

The very essence of international play at the highest level brings a pride element to the table. In the game of football, this cannot be done as, obviously, it’s an American game. In basketball, while international play has increased in competition over the last few decades, the USA still dominates prompting calls for the pros to take a leave of absence.

This isn’t the case for hockey and baseball.

As seen throughout hockey’s success with the Olympics since 1998 and the World Cup two years prior to that, this international play enhances the NHL. The MLB could receive the same bump if done right.

Unfortunately, this bump will never come if the best players in the world could care less about winning for their native country.

No Mike Trout. No Bryce Harper. No Clayton Kershaw. No Max Scherzer. No Rick Porcello. No Kris Bryant. No Corey Seager.

Mar 1, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) signals during the first inning against the Texas Rangers during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Americans took home all six of the top awards from 2016, both MVPs, Cy Youngs and Rookie of the Years. Only one of those six, Michael Fulmer, is partaking in the World Baseball Classic.

What is this, amateur hour?

Limitations on Players

Equally as bad as the absence of the best players in the world is the idea that pitchers are limited. Again, how could international play come at a fiery rate when exhibition rules are ruling the atmosphere?

If countries are really out for blood in attempt to see who should be crowned the best in the world, under no circumstances should limitations be involved.

Obviously, we understand why this is the case. This doesn’t have to be the case.

Mar 11, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Dominican Republic celebrates after a game against the USA during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Marlins Park. Dominican Republic wins 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

The Couple Positives

It Gets the International Feel Involved

While many American-born baseball players decide to take the couple of weeks off from the WBC, the rest of the world is all-in.

Latino players crave this international competition. Just one glance at the party that commenced after the Dominican Republic came back on a devastated USA team on Saturday night is all the evidence one needs.

They were fired up. Just the thought of beating the United States of America allows most these countries many moments of giddiness.

Again, though … they aren’t beating the best America has to offer.

Why so giddy? Why are the American players providing these other countries a sense of baseball security and false hope? It’s really maddening, to say the least.

It’s Better Than the Long Spring Training

Even if you are completely opposed or bored with the World Baseball Classic, you’d have to admit one thing. It’s definitely better than regular Spring Training.

Getting to watch Buster Posey play a full nine-innings this early in March is a better option than Cactus League play that forces slow deaths on a daily basis.

Mar 11, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; United States outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits into a double play in the second inning against the Dominican Republic during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

The Solution

Come on now, guys, this cannot keep happening every four years. At first, you were nuts when looking to play this awful tournament every three years. Sure, you may have gotten me to look the first time — as all curious eyes should — but at this point, that’s all over and done with.

No real tournament can commence during the exhibition phase of the professional sports’ regular season. Period.

These players are tuning up for the real thing. Spring training, unlike preseason in the NHL or NBA, is a slow, momentum-building possess aimed to cure the 162-game ill. These guys simply aren’t ready to play. What’s worse is no owner (in his/her right mind) would ever want the organization’s star player to partake. Why would they risk an injury prior to the season — prior to the gates opening up on day one?

Run the Tourney During the All-Star Break

It’s really simple. Rob Manfred and Major League Baseball should either move all-in or fold pathetically. If Gary Bettman can get it done, so can baseball. 

Every four years, simply name an MLB All-Star team and play the World Baseball Classic in its place. Sure, the league would be shut down for two weeks. Yes, the schedule would have to be altered once every four years.

It’s a very small price to pay for, perhaps, something so fantastic that it would spark further international interest in the game.

Start the season one week early and end it one week later. My goodness … it’s not rocket science.

This would be the only way to actually promote pride among players. The season is already in motion. Some teams will already find themselves out of the pennant race. Players will be in perfect baseball shape during the absolute best time to play. Why would they not play? Most would feel the need to play rather than being away from the game completely for two weeks. The thought of losing an edge during that time would scare the best to compete.

Make it real, baseball. For once, do something the NHL executes wonderfully in conjunction with the Olympics. (But don’t copy hockey’s World Cup of Hockey. As predicted, because they played the tournament prior to the season, it stunk in a major way.)

Do it the right way and shut down the sport for two weeks. It forces participation and, therefore, injects pride into the equation over time.