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U.S. Squad Seeks Fan Support

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 22, 2009

LOS ANGELES - After opening in Toronto and then feeling like the visiting team in Miami, the United States hopes its first appearance in the World Baseball Classic's final four gets the attention of Americans.

"In Miami, there were more U.S. fans than there were in Canada," Derek Jeter said Friday. "The Latin fans were louder; they brought their drums, singing songs, jumping up and down, so you probably heard them a little bit more."

The WBC concludes with the semifinals and final at Dodger Stadium at the same time much of the country is caught up in the early rounds of the NCAA men's and women's college basketball tournaments.

"We expect to have more fan support come this round," infielder David Wright said, "because I think just the general baseball fan is seeing the kind of intensity and focus and desire that we have to win and hopefully that catches on."

U.S. manager Davey Johnson said Roy Oswalt will start for the Americans in their semifinal against Japan tonight. Oswalt pitched four scoreless innings when the United States avoided elimination by beating the Netherlands 9-3 last Sunday.

Japan manager Tatsunori Hara declined to announce his starter, although it will be Daisuke Matsuzaka's turn in the rotation.

"No comment," Hara said in English before resuming Japanese. "I guess the media and the fans are probably most interested in that, but what's most important to us right now is to win. So I would like to just keep within the rules and fight on."

Matsuzaka hasn't pitched since throwing six brilliant innings in a 6-0 win against Cuba last Sunday. The Boston Red Sox ace is 5-0 in five appearances during two WBCs.

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