World Cup Will Be Played in Spring 2006

Sixteen nations will compete in a World Cup-format baseball tournament beginning next year, the semifinals and finals for which could be played at Dodger Stadium or Angel Stadium.

The World Baseball Classic will be staged next spring, again in the spring of 2009, then every four years after that. The early rounds in next year’s tournament will be held in Asia, Latin America and the United States. Major league players are eligible for the tournament, which will overlap with about three weeks of spring training.

Owners approved the format in August and announced more details Wednesday after discussions with the Major League Baseball Players’ Assn., the International Baseball Federation and governing agencies in Japan and Korea. All sides agreed to abide by international drug testing principles for the tournament.

The field of 16 will be filled by teams from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

According to baseball officials, sites in Asia, Latin America and the U.S. will play host to first-round games, and Latin America and the U.S. will play host to second-round games. The last two rounds are expected to be held on the West Coast, with Dodger Stadium considered the favorite over Angel Stadium and Petco Park in San Diego.

The Dodgers issued a statement: “We look forward to learning more details and how we can get involved as an organization.”

More information will be announced at the All-Star game in July.

-- Tim Brown