L.A. might stage Classic final

Dodger Stadium is close to being selected as host of the championship game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, according to a baseball source.

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said that while he knew Dodger Stadium was a finalist to host the final, he hadn’t received word that its bid had been accepted. He added that he expected a decision early next month. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said that a final decision hadn’t been made.

Dodger Stadium, which underwent an $80-million renovation of its field level this winter, wasn’t among the four American sites used in the WBC’s inaugural tournament in 2006. Angel Stadium hosted six second-round contests.

MLB announced last week that the four sites outside of the United States would be used for the tournament’s first round: Tokyo; Mexico City; Toronto; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

-- Dylan Hernandez