World Baseball Classic

Hey there sports fans and welcome to another exciting edition of the Wide World of Wildcats. It's a big weekend for sports lovers in the state of Arizona as the Cardinals are headed to their first Super Bowl and the Phoenix Open is underway. To add in to this mix of sports, let's take a look at baseball and the World Baseball Classic.

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) premiered in March 2006 and is put on by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world. The WBC is the first international baseball tournament for national teams to feature professional players from the major leagues. It was created to promote baseball globally and for baseballs best players to be able to compete against one another. The WBC features teams from 16 different countries including China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea, Australia, Cuba, Mexico, South Africa, Canada, Italy, USA, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico and Japan is the defending champions. The first two rounds are double elimination and the semi-finals and finals are both single elimination. The WBC will kick off Thursday, March 5th and first round games will be in Tokyo, Mexico City, Toronto and San Juan. Second round games are in San Diego and Miami, and the semi-finals and finals will be in Los Angeles.

This year the rivalries are out in full force. Of course there are the obvious rivalries such as Japan and China, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and the USA and Canada. But what about the rivalry that is rarely spoken of, yet everyone knows exists? That is, the rivalry between Mexicans and the Mexican-Americans. The rivalry goes back to heritage and pride, birth place and what is considered a "true Mexican." Some believe that to be Mexican you must have been born in Mexico, while others believe if you are born in the U.S. and have Mexican parents then you are also considered to be Mexican. On the contrary, many believe that even if your family and parents are Mexican but you were born in the U.S., you are an American. The people on the latter raise the argument that Mexican-Americans are not proud of their heritage and thus should not be considered "true Mexicans." In 2006, Mexico went 3-3 and was unable to advance past the second round despite eliminating the U.S. On Mexico's 2006 roster, there was only one Mexican-American playing for the team in the WBC, but this year the roster includes nine Mexican-Americans. Although some Mexican fans are not so accepting, the Mexican Baseball Federation hopes that by Mexico winning the WBC the bogus rivalry will finally come to an end.

Tickets for the WBC are now on sale and can be purchased online and game schedules and the tournament bracket are also available. 

That concludes this weeks edition. Make sure to tune in next week for another exhilarating update. From the Cardinals home state, enjoy the Super Bowl and until next time, Bear Down!

Spotlight on Ravid Hazi

Hey there sports fans! With the UofA mens tennis team kicking off their first match of the new year over the weekend, I thought it would only be appropriate for our first spotlight to be on Ravid Hazi, a 21 year old UofA tennis player hailing from Israel. I was able to catch up with Ravid and here's what he had to say.

Serena Lewis: What is your name?

Ravid Hazi: Ravid Hazi

SL: Where are you from?

RH: Israel

SL: How old are you? What year are you at UA?

RH: I am 21 years old, turning 22 in a month, and a junior at the UofA

SL:What's your major?

RH: I am a finance major

SL: When and why did you come to the U.S.? Why did you choose UA?

RH: I came to the UofA two years ago in January 2007. The main reason why I came to the UofA is because I got a tennis scholarship and I really like the tennis coach. It was kind of hard for me to know much about any school in the U.S. while I was in Israel, I was in the army at the time I was looking for colleges. So I pretty much knew nothing about the UofA other than that there is warm weather, which is what I was looking for, and that the head coach offered me a good scholarship. However, I bless the day I chose UofA over other schools for 1000 of reasons. I like the University a lot, the athletic department, the tennis coaches and the players, Eller college [UofA business school], the people in the University and in Tucson in general, and more...

SL:When and why did you start playing tennis?

RH: I started playing tennis when i was 7 years old. The coach in my city visited my 2nd grade class and recommended playing tennis in his club. I tried it, liked it, apparently I was pretty good at it. So i started playing competitively since I was about 8 or 9 years old and ranked #1 in Israel for all junior ages.

SL: Do you have any pre-game rituals? If so, what?

RH: Before matches today, I don't have any superstitious things that I am doing, just trying to get myself both physically and mentally ready for the match. I do a good warm up, then depending on my anxiety level, I either pump myself up or find a corner to relax and focus.

SL: What is your proudest or most memorable moment in your athletic career?

RH: As a tennis player, I won the Israeli Championship a couple times, won bronze medal in the European Championship for doubles and made it to the semi-finals in professional event. However, the event that made me most proud is the opportunity to get a scholarship and represent the UofA tennis team while pursuing my degree.

SL:What are your goals for the season?

RH: To give my 100 percent day in and day out and contribute the maximum I can give to the team. I think if I focus on that, the other players can do the same, and if everyone will bring his full talent and ability to the table, outcomes like making the NCAA tournament and doing well in the tournament will be easily reachable.

SL: What is the biggest difference playing in the U.S. vs. playing in your hometown?

RH: Two main things are different playing n the U.S. rather than playing at home. First is the fact that I am playing in a team, which in Israel I always represented myself as an individual or my country but as an individual. It took me a little while to adjust but once I did, I think it is a lot more fun and rewarding. Second, the kind of pressure I feel is different. In Israel, the pressure I face was mainly playing in front of people that are close to me like my family or my friends, plus I knew all my competitors which are good friends of mine outside the court. Playing on the UofA tennis team, the pressure I feel is the desire to win for the team and for the coaches and representing the University in general. I think it is a positive pressure and adds a lot more fun and competitiveness into every dual match we play.

SL:Before you came to the U.S., what did you think it would be like? Have your views changed since?

RH: Before coming to the U.S., I didn't really know what to expect. I was worried that I will struggle with my English but other than that I was really excited to see what is it going to be. I think going to college is the best thing that ever happened to me. I remember how impressed I was when I saw the campus. I was impressed how professional people take care of business mainly in the athletic department and the tennis team, but in the University in general. I don't know if I changed since coming to college, but I definitely grow and keep growing as a person from this experience.

SL:What do you like or not like about Tucson and the Southwest?

RH: I can't really point anything I dislike about Tucson or the Southwest because I truly like and appreciate where I am right now and won't switch it for anything. Of course places like Southern California or New York are more appealing than Tucson, but being a college student in the UofA is one of the best places.

SL: Okay enough with the serious questions, time for the fun ones.  What is your favorite sports team?

RH: I really cheer for the UofA and Arizona teams in general, so I am really excited that the Cardinals WILL win the Superbowl.  Outside Arizona, the Lakers are my favorite.

SL: What is your favorite food?

RH: Strawberries with whipped cream and my moms food which I try to imitate but she is a lot better!

SL: What are your hobbies besides tennis?

RH: I like to go out and hang out, movies, books, music, travel and visit new places.

SL:What is your idea of the perfect first date?

RH: I think a nice quiet restaurant that gives a chance to talk and get to know each other is nice for a first date. Keep it short and sweet for a taste of more. All the romantic tricks can be pulled out after the first date.

After being rained out on Friday, the tennis team was able to take to the courts and defeat Nevada today, winning the match 6-1. Ravid and teammate Jay Goldman teamed up for doubles and won the match 8-3. The Cats next match will be the National Spring Kick-off in Gainesville, Florida where they will take on Florida on January 30th. For a full schedule, check out the Arizona Athletics website. And to see more on Ravid, click here.

That wraps it up for this week. Check back next week for another update. Until then, Bear Down!

 

Welcome Sports Fans

Hey there sports fans and welcome to Wide World of Wildcats where we will be taking an in-depth look at international athletes here at the University of Arizona and surrounding areas. Check in every week to learn about your favorite international athletes from near and far and get their perspective of athletics in the U.S.

Stay tuned and until next time, Bear Down!