Step inside the 2009 World Baseball Classic lines, another international sporting event where teams play for national pride. Let me know when I should start caring. Better yet, let the players know that they should start caring. Without further ado, here are the five dumbest things about the World Baseball Classic:

1. Americans Don’t Care

Mark Teixeira doesn’t show up, other players are busy doing yard work, and at the end of the day, the Americans just don’t care about the World Baseball Classic as much as anyone else. Interestingly enough, they are still the second-favored team on the World Baseball Classic odds.

There is no history here for Americans. This isn’t hockey, where the US team beat Russia during the Cold War. This isn’t the Dream Team, which would sign autographs for their opponents after beating them. This is just a tournament that Bud Selig threw together to make some money. Unfortunately, the players have bigger prizes in mind.

2. Everyone Is More Focused On The Upcoming MLB Season

Think about this before you bet on the World Baseball Classic: If you’re a Major League Baseball player, would you rather save your body for the regular season or burn yourself out in the World Baseball Classic?

Hmm…on one hand, if you play well in the regular season, you can work towards a prestigious World Series ring and go down in the history books. And more importantly, you can get a huge pay-day with a big season. Or you can play well in the World Baseball Classic and win…what do you win?

3. The Prize Sucks

Without using Google, Wikipedia or Pornhub – or just the first two – tell me what is the World Baseball Classic prize? Before you make your WBC picks, shouldn’t you think about what is up for grabs? What are these players trying to accomplish? For the Americans, there’s very little national pride on the line, which means the prize better be damn good.

It’s a trophy. How wonderful. I’m sure most baseball players haven’t touched a trophy before, so this one is special. Give them some cash or they won’t care. Wait, they don’t care already.

4. The Tournament Is Confusing

Let’s do a tournament, but instead of having it hosted in one place with one easy format, let’s have different rounds hosted Tokyo, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, Los Angeles, Miami and San Diego. Four teams per city, but they’ll play at different times, that way whoever finishes first is more rested. Great.

Anyone ever notice that the best sports to watch are the ones that are easiest to follow? The March Madness betting tournament is simple. 64 teams, one round is played on Thursday, one on Friday, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Each round, the field narrows. That’s also why the NFL is so popular. Games are on Sunday all day. Tune in, follow, then enjoy the rest of your week.

This tournament is messy. When you figure it out, let me know.

5. It’s a Glorified All-Star Game

The World Baseball Classic is supposed to be about repping your own country, and pride, and gumdrops and rainbows. Unfortunately, it’s not. Right now it’s a glorified All-Star game where some people/teams care and try, while others just don’t feel like it. Pitchers are limited to pitch counts, managers who have MLB players are pressured to go easy on them and instead of this just being a fun tournament for the fans, it’s really just a dog and pony show where every half-tries to win and everyone half-tries not to get hurt.

If you are examining the World Baseball Classic odds, bet on a team that cares more about winning than the American team.