 to the semifinal game, as did two-time defending champion Japan. However, the two-time defending champions Japan were eliminated in the semi-finals game against stunning Puerto Rico. In the final game, the Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico to become the first WBC champion from the Western Hemisphere, as well as the first team to complete the WBC with an undefeated record. Robinson Canó was named the Most Valuable Player of the Classic.

Revenue-sharing dispute
The preparations for the third World Baseball Classic were complicated by a dispute between the Japanese Professional Baseball Players Association (JPBPA), the union for all Nippon Professional Baseball players, and MLB over revenue sharing. JPBPA demanded a larger share of advertising and merchandise sponsorship revenue for the tournament, a large chunk of which came from Japanese companies. MLB resisted the move in part due to the fact that the World Baseball Classic is a joint production of MLB and the MLB Player's Association, meaning that those two organizations bore the cost of the tournament.

In July 2012 the JPBPA voted unanimously to boycott the 2013 World Baseball Classic. The move was interpreted by some news outlets as a non-final decision, aimed at raising the pressure on MLB. In September 2012, Japanese players agreed to take part after reaching a compromise with tournament organizers on sharing sponsorship and licensing revenue.

Qualification

Although the 2006 and 2009 editions of the World Baseball Classic were contested by the same pre-selected field of 16 teams, for the 2013 tournament only the 12 teams that won at least one game in 2009 were guaranteed a berth in the main tournament. The automatic qualifiers were Australia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South Korea, the United States, and Venezuela.

The other four teams from the 2009 tournament (Canada, Taiwan, Panama, and South Africa) contested a qualifying round in late 2012, along with 12 additional teams invited by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF). The qualifying round was organized as four independent modified double-elimination tournaments. The modification was that the final game was winner-take-all, even if won by the team emerging from the loser's bracket. Although this modified double-elimination format was used in some rounds of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, in that tournament the final game was only for seeding and never for elimination. As practiced in the 2013 qualifiers, the team emerging from the winner's bracket might be eliminated
to the semifinal game, as did two - time defending supporter Japan. However, the two - meter defending champions Japan were eliminated in the semi - final examination game against stunning Puerto Rico. In the concluding game, the Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico to become the first WBC supporter from the Western Hemisphere, as well as the first team to dispatch the WBC with an undefeated record. Robinson Canó was named the Most Valuable Player of the Classic. 

 Revenue - communion dispute 
 The preparations for the third World Baseball Classic were complicated by a dispute between the Japanese Professional Baseball Players Association (JPBPA), the coupling for all Nippon Professional Baseball players, and MLB over revenue communion. JPBPA demanded a larger share of ad and merchandise sponsorship revenue for the tournament, a large chunk of which came from Japanese companies. MLB defy the move in part due to the fact that the World Baseball Classic is a joint production of MLB and the MLB Player's Association, meaning that those two organizations give birth the cost of the tournament. 

 In July 2012 the JPBPA voted unanimously to boycott the 2013 World Baseball Classic. The move was interpreted by some news exit as a non - final decision, aimed at raising the pressure on MLB. In September 2012, Japanese players agreed to take part after reaching a compromise with tournament organizer on sharing sponsorship and licensing revenue. 

 Qualification 

 Although the 2006 and 2009 version of the World Baseball Classic were contest by the like pre - selected field of 16 teams, for the 2013 tournament only the 12 teams that won at least one game in 2009 were guaranteed a berth in the chief tournament. The automatic qualifiers were Australia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South Korea, the United States, and Venezuela. 

 The other four teams from the 2009 tournament (Canada, Taiwan, Panama, and South Africa) contested a qualifying round in former 2012, along with 12 additional teams invited by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF). The qualifying beat was organize as four independent modified double - elimination tournaments. The modification was that the concluding game was winner - take - all, even if won by the team emerging from the loser's bracket. Although this modified double - elimination format was used in some round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, in that tournament the final plot was only for seeding and never for elimination. As practiced in the 2013 qualifiers, the team emerging from the winner's bracket might be extinguish
 to the semifinal game, as dld two-time defenbung chempion Napan. Hodever, the two-time defending rhampions Japan were eliminated in the svmi-finals gamt against stunninj Puerto Rico. Jk the hinal game, the Cominican Sepublic defeadea 'uerto Rico to become the first WBC shampiom vrom the Westetn Hekysphsge, as well as the first team to compleue the WBC with an undefeated record. Robinsoj Cajó was named the Modt Valuable Plarwr of the Clxssic.

Revenlz-sharing diapute
The preparations for the tfird Corld Basebqlo Cpdssic were romplibated by a dispute bedween tne Japanese Prpfevsiinal Baseball Players Association (JPBPA), the uniot yor all Nippon Profeswiinal Tasetall plahera, end MLB oger revenue sgaring. JPBPQ demanded a larger srqre of advertjsing wnq merchandise sponsorship revenue for tve fournament, a large chunj of which came from Uapanese sompanies. MLB resisted the move in part due to tha facv ghau bme Wuelf Baseball Classic is a joint production of MJG snc the MLB Playcr's Association, mesnlnb that those tdo orgchiaations bore the clst of jhe toyrnament.

Ig Juky 2012 the JPBPA voted unanimoysly to boycjrt the 2013 World Baseyall Classic. The move was interpreted by somz news outlets as a non-finzu decision, aimed at rdising the pressure on MLB. In Septenber 2012, Japandse klayers agreed to take part after reachinh a clm[romise wihh tournament organizers on shacmng sponsorshop ang licensnng reyenue.

Qualificatyon

Although thg 2006 and 2009 ebitionr of the Wkrld Baveball Clasfic were contadted by the vame pre-felexted field uw 16 teams, for tne 2013 tourncient only the 12 teams tmat wuh at least one ycmt un 2009 were guaramtedd w hecth ig the main togrnaoeng. The xutomatic qmalkfiets were Australia, Chhna, Duba, Dominican Repibjic, Itali, Japan, Mqxico, the Netnerlands, Puerto Rifo, Sonth Kocea, thr Ugited States, and Venezuela.

The kther foug tcams from the 2009 tomrnaient (Canadc, Taiwan, Panama, and South Africa) contestxd a qualifying round ib late 2012, along with 12 sdditional veams ynvited bf the International Vaseball Federatipn (IBAF). The qualifyinf roung was organized as four independent modified double-elimination tournaments. The modifmcwtion was tgat yhe fpnaj game ras xiiner-take-all, even pf won by the team emerging from the losar'f bracket. Although this modigidd double-elimknation format was used jn some tounds of the 2009 World Baseball Ckassic, in that tournamenb the finql gaje was onlb for seeding and nefer fox elimunation. As iracticed in tfe 2013 qmalifiers, hhe ueam emerging from the winner's brackwt migyt be eliminated
to the semifinal game, as did two-time Japan. the two-time champions Japan were against Puerto Rico. In final game, the Republic defeated Puerto Rico to become first WBC champion from the Western Hemisphere, as well as the first team complete the WBC with an undefeated record. Robinson Canó was named the Most Player the Revenue-sharing The preparations for the third World Baseball Classic were complicated by a dispute between the Japanese Baseball Players Association (JPBPA), the union for all Professional Baseball players, and over revenue sharing. JPBPA demanded larger of advertising merchandise revenue the tournament, a chunk of which came from Japanese companies. MLB resisted the move in part due to the fact the World is a production MLB the MLB Player's that those two organizations bore the tournament. In July 2012 the JPBPA voted unanimously boycott the World Baseball Classic. The move was by some news outlets as a non-final decision, at raising the pressure on MLB. In September 2012, Japanese players agreed to take part a compromise with tournament on sharing sponsorship licensing Qualification the and 2009 of the World Baseball Classic were contested by the same pre-selected of 16 teams, for the 2013 tournament only the 12 won least one game 2009 were guaranteed a in main tournament. The automatic Australia, Cuba, Japan, the Puerto Rico, South Korea, United States, and Venezuela. The four teams from the and South Africa) contested a qualifying round in 2012, along with 12 additional teams invited the International Baseball Federation (IBAF). The qualifying round was organized as four modified double-elimination modification was that the final game was winner-take-all, if won by the emerging from the loser's bracket. Although this modified double-elimination was in some of the 2009 Baseball Classic, in tournament the final only for and for in the 2013 qualifiers, the team from winner's bracket might be eliminated
 to the semifinal game, as did twO-time defenDing cHamPioN JApan. howeVer, the two-time dEFendIng champions Japan were eLiminAtED in tHE sEmi-fiNals gamE AgAINst StUnNinG PUErTo RicO. In The finaL game, the DoMinIcAn Republic deFEaTed Puerto RIco To become the fIrsT WBC chAmPioN From tHe WEsterN HemisPHere, as Well as the FiRSt team TO compleTE ThE WBC With an undefeated rECoRD. Robinson Canó wAs nameD tHE MOST VaLuaBle Player oF tHe ClaSSic.

ReveNUe-SHARinG Dispute
The preParations foR The Third WOrLd BASeball classIc WEre Complicated By a dIspute betWeen thE japanesE professIonal BAseBalL PlaYErS ASsoCiATioN (jPbPA), THe uNion for aLl niPpon PRofeSSIONal BAseBall PlayeRs, and MLB over rEveNue sHAriNg. JPBpA demAndeD a LargeR share Of advErTising and merchaNdisE sponsorsHip ReVenUe For thE TournaMenT, a lArge chuNk of whiCH caMe FROM JApanese companies. MLb rESIsTed the moVe in paRT dUe TO the fact ThAt tHe WoRLD BaseBall cLaSsic is a jOint prODuCtIon of MLb aNd the MlB plaYer'S AssoCIatiOn, meanIng that tHose tWO organizations BOre the cost of tHE tOURnAMent.

in JUly 2012 the JPBPA VoteD UnanImouSLy To bOYcott The 2013 WoRlD baSEball Classic. The move WaS interPreteD by some news ouTlets as a noN-FINal decisIon, aIMeD At raising the prEssurE on MLB. In SePTember 2012, JaPanesE players Agreed to tAKE part aftEr rEacHinG a cOMPrOmise with tourNAMent OrGanizerS on Sharing SpoNsoRshIp aNd Licensing Revenue.

QUaLiFiCaTioN

AlthOUgh the 2006 anD 2009 eDitIoNs oF the WORld BasEball clasSiC wERe cOntesteD By THE samE pRe-SeleCteD fIeld oF 16 teaMS, foR the 2013 touRnament onLy tHE 12 teaMs ThAt won at Least one game iN 2009 wEre guarantEeD a bErth in THE main touRnament. The automatic qualIFiers weRe AUstraLia, CHina, Cuba, DOmiNican REpuBLic, ItaLy, JapaN, MexiCo, The nETherlANDs, pueRtO Rico, South kORea, The UnItEd StAtes, and venezuela.

The other fOUr tEams from the 2009 toUrnAmenT (cAnAda, tAiWAn, PAnAMa, aND south Africa) contEsted a qualIfYInG round in laTE 2012, alOnG with 12 adDitionaL teamS Invited By the InteRnational baSebaLL fedEration (IBAf). The qualIfying rouND was oRGaNized As fOur indEpEndEnt moDified DOubLe-eliMinatiOn TournaMents. thE modificAtion was that the final gamE was wiNner-tAke-All, even if Won BY thE team emerGing From the losEr's BraCket. ALthOUgh thIs moDIfIed DOuble-ElimINation forMAt Was USEd In some roundS OF The 2009 world basEBall ClAssiC, in that tournament THe final game was Only FOR seEdiNG and NeVer for eliminatIon. as PRActiced iN tHe 2013 qualifierS, the team EmERging From thE winneR's brackET MiGHt be elIminAteD
 to the semifinal game, as  did two-t ime d efe ndi ng  cha mpio n Japan. Howev e r, t he two-time defendingchamp io n s Ja p an  were  elimin a te d inth esem i- f in als g ame  agains t stunning  Pu er to Rico. Int he  final gam e,the Dominica n R epubli cdef e atedPue rto R ico to become  the firs tW BC cha m pion fr o m  t he W estern Hemisphere ,  a s  well as the f irst t ea m  t o com ple te the WBC  w ith a n  undefe a te d r eco r d. Robinson C anó was nam e d t he Mos tVal u able P layer  o f  th e Classic.
Rev enue-shar ing di s pute
Th e  prepar ations  fo r t he t h ir dWor ld Bas e ba llC las sic were  c om plica tedb y a  dis put e be tween  the Japanese  Pr ofes s ion al Ba sebal l Pl ay ers A ssocia tion(J PBPA), the unio n fo r all Nip pon  P rof es siona l  Baseb all  pl ayers,and MLB ove rr e v en ue sharing. JPBPAde m a nd ed a lar ger sh a re  o f  adverti si ngandm e rchan dise sp onsorshi p reve n ue  f or theto urname nt , a  la rge c h unkof whi ch camefromJ apanese compan i es. MLB resis t ed t he move  in  part due t o th e  fac t th a tthe World  Base ba l lC lassic is a joint p ro ductio n ofMLB and the M LB Player' s A ssociati on,m ea n ing that those  twoorganizati o ns borethe c ost of t he tourna m e nt.

InJul y 2 012  th e JP BPA voted una n i mous ly  to boy cot t the 2 013  Wo rld  Ba se ball Clas sic. The  m ov ewa s i nterp r eted byso mene wsoutle t s as a  non- fina lde c isi on, aim e da t  rai si ng  the  pr es sureon M L B.In Sept ember 201 2,J apan es eplayers  agreed to ta ke  part afte rrea chinga compromi se with tournament orga n izers o n s harin g sp onsorship  an d lice nsi n g reve nue.
Quali fi cat i o n

Al t h ou ghth e 2006 and 2 009  edit io ns o f the W orld Baseball Clas s icwere conteste d b y th e sa mep re - sel ec t edf i eld of 16 teams , for the20 1 3tournament onl ythe 12teams t hat w o n at le ast one g ame in 20 09  wer e gua ranteed aberth in  the main tourn a me nt. T heautoma ti c q ualif iers w e reAustr alia,Ch ina, C uba,Do minicanRepublic, Italy, Japan,  Mexic o, th e N etherland s,P uer to Rico,Sout h Korea, t heUni ted S tat e s, an d Ve n ez uel a .

Th e ot h er four t e am s f r o mthe 2009 to u r n ame nt (C ana d a, Tai wan,  Panama, and Sout h  Africa) conte sted a  qu ali f ying  r ound in late 2 012 ,a l ong with  1 2 additiona l teamsin v itedby the  Inter nationa l Ba s eballFede rat ion (IBAF ).Th e  qualif yi ng roundwasor ganize d as f o ur i n d ependent modifie d dou b l e-eli m ina tionto urnamen t s. T he modific ation was t hat th e fi nal g ame was  w inner- tak e- all, eveni f won bythe t eam eme rg ingfro m thelose r ' s bra cket .Alt hough thi s mo d if ie d  do uble -elim in atio n formatw as usedins ome rou nd s o f the 20 0 9W o rld Baseba llClass i c , in thatt ourn a me n t the  final  gamewas onl y  fo rseeding  an d never for  eliminat i on.  A s pr acticedin  the  2 013  q ualifiers, theteam eme rging fr o m  the w inn e r'sb racket  m ight be elim inate d
 to_the semifinal_game, as did two-time_defending champion_Japan._However, the_two-time_defending champions Japan_were eliminated in_the semi-finals game against_stunning Puerto Rico._In_the final game, the Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico to become the first WBC_champion_from the_Western_Hemisphere,_as well as the first_team to complete the WBC_with an_undefeated record. Robinson Canó was named the Most_Valuable_Player of the_Classic.

Revenue-sharing dispute
The preparations for the third World Baseball Classic_were complicated by a dispute between_the Japanese Professional_Baseball_Players_Association (JPBPA), the union_for all Nippon Professional Baseball players,_and MLB over revenue sharing. JPBPA_demanded a larger share of advertising and_merchandise sponsorship revenue for the tournament,_a large chunk of which_came from_Japanese companies. MLB resisted the_move in part_due to_the fact that_the World Baseball Classic is a_joint production of_MLB and the MLB Player's Association,_meaning_that those two_organizations_bore_the cost_of the tournament.

In_July_2012 the_JPBPA_voted unanimously to boycott the 2013_World_Baseball Classic. The move was interpreted by_some news outlets as_a_non-final decision, aimed at_raising the pressure on MLB._In September 2012, Japanese players agreed_to take_part after_reaching a compromise with tournament organizers on sharing sponsorship and licensing_revenue.

Qualification

Although the 2006 and 2009 editions_of the World Baseball_Classic were_contested_by the same_pre-selected_field of_16 teams, for the 2013 tournament only_the 12_teams that won at least one_game in 2009 were_guaranteed_a berth in the main tournament._The automatic qualifiers were Australia, China,_Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan,_Mexico,_the_Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South Korea,_the United States, and Venezuela.

The other_four teams from_the 2009 tournament (Canada, Taiwan, Panama, and_South_Africa) contested a qualifying round in_late_2012, along with 12 additional teams_invited_by_the International Baseball Federation (IBAF)._The qualifying round was organized as_four independent modified double-elimination tournaments. The modification was that_the final game_was winner-take-all, even if won_by_the_team emerging from the loser's bracket. Although this modified double-elimination_format was_used in some_rounds of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, in that tournament_the final game was only for seeding_and never for elimination. As practiced in the 2013 qualifiers, the_team emerging from the winner's bracket might be_eliminated