Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 14 March 2017

Team USA do, Nelson Cruz and Ster-
ling Marte homered in the
comeback against Team
USA.
Continued fromPage 17 “The Dominican is a top-to-
bottom fearsome lineup,”
At this point in my career, U.S. manager Jim Leyland
this is the fun stuff you get a said. “They have stars all
chance to take part in. over the field. We’ve got a
“Honestly, I never would lot of stars all over the field.
have thought a couple of There’s a mutual respect
years ago I would have there, I think.
had an opportunity to It wasn’t like we were in-
make a roster like this. It’s timidated or embarrassed.
a special thing you get to We had our shot, and
participate in. I wish I had we just didn’t quite get it
performed better, and I done.”
hope I get some chances After losing to the Domini-
to atone for it.” cans, Team USA recovered
He will. The Americans Sunday and eliminated
bounced back from their Canada.
deflating loss Saturday to The Canadians finished
the defending champion United States’ Buster Posey (28) rounds third base after hitting a solo home run as third base coach 0-3, but manager Ernie
Dominicans, and both Willie Randolph prepares to congratulate Posey in the seventh inning in a first-round game of the Whitt nonetheless joined
teams advanced to the World Baseball Classic against Canada, Sunday, March 12, 2017, in Miami. The United States won other participants in prais-
second round in San Diego 8-0. ing the WBC.
beginning Tuesday. Associated Press Whitt noted the enthusias-
Team USA, a perennial bined for 12 2/3 scoreless the loudest I’ve ever heard out on a wild pitch against tic crowds and said he’s
World Baseball Classic un- innings as Team USA went any place ever.” Colombia. He laughed dumbfounded” some ma-
derachiever, believes this 2-1 in round one. Brandon Enthusiastic fan support by when asked how eager the jor league players are re-
year will be different. The Crawford and Christian other countries is one rea- Americans are for break- luctant to take part.
Americans have never Yelich had five hits each, son Duffy, Miller and other through WBC success. “You have to get the gen-
reached the finals, much and Nolan Arenado and American players are glad “There’s no doubt we’re eral managers and the
less won the tournament, Buster Posey homered. they’re taking part. taking it real serious,” he ownership to buy into it
and participation has been The Dominicans, mean- But can the U.S. team get said. and encourage their play-
only so-so because of tep- while, went 3-0 and are spectators in San Diego ex- I’m diving headfirst into first. ers to go,” said Whitt, a
id support by major league 11-0 in the past two WBCs. cited? I mean, I don’t know how former All-Star catcher.
teams fearful of injuries to Their comeback win over “If we keep playing our serious I can take it other “I understand their point.
players unaccustomed to the U.S. team rocked Mar- game and keep doing than that.” They have a vested inter-
going all-out in March. lins Park, packed with spec- our thing, I think we’re go- Maximum effort will be est in some of these play-
But this year’s roster might tators from the Caribbean ing to start drawing some needed to get past the ers with a lot of money.
be the Americans’ best nation. crowds,” Arenado said. Dominicans, who have But if they’re going to get
yet, even without many “That’s an atmosphere I’ve The Rockies All-Star made outscored opponents 62- this to go, they’re going to
top pitchers. Starters Dan- never been a part of,” said headlines back in Denver 24 in the past two WBCs. have to go all out and en-
ny Duffy, Chris Archer and Duffy, who pitched in the when he slid headfirst to They batted .342 in the first courage their players to go
Marcus Stroman com- 2015 World Series. “It was reach first base after striking round, and Manny Macha- play for their countries.”q

Game, set, match: Billie Jean King sells World TeamTennis

BETH HARRIS year. franchise won its first title
AP Sports Writer An advocate for gender last year.
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — equality, King co-founded “This is the easiest giving up
Billie Jean King said Mon- the league in 1973 with her for me that I’ve ever been
day she is selling World former husband, Larry King, through,” King said. “We
TeamTennis 42 years after who supports the changes. know we’re passing the
the sports icon co-founded Ein and Luddy plan to add torch to someone who can
the league that features four teams in major-market make it much bigger and
men and women compet- cities in 2018, which would better than we can.”
ing together. bring the league to 10 As part of the deal, Lion-
King sold her majority inter- teams. Tree Partners has invested
est in the league to Mark Now 73, King said she and in the league along with
Ein and Fred Luddy. Ein is Kloss have been talking Ein and Luddy. LionTree is
the founder and owner of for years about what the expected to help attract
the Washington Kastles, league’s next step would new team owners, new
and Luddy owns the San be. media partnerships and
Diego Aviators. “It’s always been about sponsorships. Ein is founder
King will retain a minority getting the right people,” and CEO of Venturehouse
stake in WTT and continue King said. “The timing was Group LLC, and Luddy
as majority owner of the right. This is perfect.” founded the enterprise
Philadelphia Freedoms Since Ein founded the cloud company Service-
franchise. Washington franchise in Now.The WTT season runs
Ein will become chairman 2008, the Kastles have won In this Oct. 10, 2016, file photo, Billie Jean King instructs her July 16-Aug. 5. Team line-
of WTT and Ilana Kloss will a league-best six cham- team during a World Team Tennis exhibition to benefit the Elton ups will be finalized at the
remain CEO and league pionships, including five in John AIDS Foundation in Las Vegas. roster draft on Tuesday in
commissioner through this a row. Luddy’s San Diego Associated Press Indian Wells.q