Why Isn't Ireland in the World Baseball Classic? The question is being asked on this side of the Atlantic by the Irish American Baseball Society.
The Classic is well underway with a range of teams from around the world. some, like Italy, have surprised fans. Italy beat the star-laden U.S. side though this defeat did not actually eliminate the U.S. from the tournament.
But if Italy could pull off a shock win why not Ireland?
That's because the Irish are absent from the Classic
This has irked the IABC which is asking questions of the game's governing body in Ireland, Baseball Ireland.
In a statement the Irish American Baseball Society has called for the removal "of a controversial quota policy that prevents Irish American dual citizens from playing on Ireland's National Baseball Team — a policy the group says is costing Ireland a shot at the World Baseball Classic."
Added the statement: "America's pastime has struggled to gain a foothold on the Emerald Isle despite several attempts to establish it over the past 150 years. The IABS argues that Baseball Ireland's quota policies are making that uphill climb steeper by unnecessarily sidelining dozens of qualified players who want a chance to represent Ireland.
"To qualify for the Irish national team, a player must hold Irish dual citizenship, which requires having a parent or grandparent born in Ireland. Despite a large pool of eligible Irish American players at the college and professional levels, Baseball Ireland has imposed limits on how many dual citizens can compete for the national team. Over the past 12 months, the IABS says more than 50 such players have been denied the opportunity to try out.
"The stakes are significant: Should Ireland reach the World Baseball Classic, Major League Baseball is expected to invest approximately $300,000 in youth baseball development in the country — a commitment MLB has already made to other European nations, including Great Britain."
Great Britain is competing in the Classic.
Continued the IABS statement: "Ireland's path to the 2029 WBC begins this summer, when the team must win the European B-Pool Qualifying Tournament to advance to the A-Pool tournament in 2027. A top-half finish there would earn Ireland a spot in the 2028 WBC Qualifiers.
Opening the door to more potential players would improve Ireland's chances of qualifying.
"In addition to the benefit of an investment by Major League Baseball, a successful Irish National Team would inspire kids across Ireland to play baseball," said IABS VP of Cultural Affairs and Outreach Patrick Smith.
"There is a real opportunity for youth baseball to grow organically throughout Ireland, and there are dozens of college and pro baseball players who want to help turn that opportunity into a reality."
The Irish American Baseball Society said it has launched a petition calling on Baseball Ireland to adopt a fair, merit-based selection process.
The petition reads: "Over the past 12 months, Baseball Ireland has prevented dozens of players at the college, minor league, and MLB levels from trying out for Ireland's National Team. Baseball Ireland has also stopped providing guidance to qualified players on how they can obtain Irish citizenship, leaving eligible athletes without clear direction on pursuing their rightful pathway to become Irish citizens."
The petition is open to baseball fans of all nationalities and backgrounds and has already drawn signatures from former Major Leaguers and members of the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame, such as Steve Garvey, Mike Sweeney, and Joe McEwing.
For more information and to read the petition, visit IRLWBC.com.
The Irish American Baseball Society, according to the statement, "celebrates the Irish impact on the game of baseball and supports the development of youth baseball programs in Ireland and America. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in baseball and Ireland, regardless of their ancestral heritage." More at IrishBaseball.org.
The Irish American Baseball Society is a non-profit subsidiary of Emerald Diamond International. More at EmeraldDiamond.org.
Meanwhile, the final of the classic is on....Saint Patrick's Day!
