Korea's 1B, Kim Tae-kyun celebates after kicking Japan into 2nd place in Pool A. (AP Photo)
In case you haven’t given up your school/work/social life to follow the World Baseball Classic, here’s what’s up. Remember that it’s double elimination, so all you Dutchmen (and women) still have hope.
POOL A
China: OUT. Lost 4-0 to Japan and 14-0 to Korea, but beat Chinese Taipei once.
Chinese Taipei: OUT. Lost 9-0 to Korea and 4-1 to China.
Japan: IN. Beat China 4-0, beat Korea 14-2, lost to Korea 1-0
Korea: IN. Beat China 14-0, beat Chinese Taipei 9-0, Lost to Japan 14-2, beat Japan 1-0.
Farewell, South Africa. It was fun while it lasted, wasn't it?
POOL B
Australia: STILL ALIVE. Upset Mexico 17-7. Next game is tonight at 10:00 ET vs. Cuba
Cuba: STILL ALIVE. Beat South Africa 8-1. Next game is tonight at 10:00 ET vs. Australia.
Mexico: STILL ALIVE. Lost to Australia 17-7, beat South Africa 14-3. Next game is Wednesday vs. tonight’s loser
South Africa: OUT. Lost to Cuba 8-1 and to Mexico 14-3.
Sorry Candadians...but how cute is this celebration?
POOL C
United States: STILL ALIVE. Beat Canada 6-5 and Venezuela 15-6. Next game is Wednesday vs. tonight’s winner.
Canada: OUT. Lost to USA 6-5 and Italy (wtf?) 6-2.
Italy: STILL ALIVE. Lost to Venezuela 7-0 and beat Canada 6-2. Next game is today at 5:00 ET vs. Venezuela.
Venezuela: STILL ALIVE. Lost to USA 15-6, beat Italy 7-0. Next game is today at 5:00 ET vs. Italy
Mike Aviles' bat helps PR win, and his smile could end the recession.
POOL D
Dominican Republic: STILL ALIVE. Upset by the Netherlands 3-2, beat Panama 9-0. Next game is today at 6:30 ET vs. The Netherlands.
The Netherlands: STILL ALIVE. Beat DR (wtf?) 3-2, lost to Puerto Rico 3-1. Next game is today at 6:30 ET vs. DR
Puerto Rico: STILL ALIVE. Beat Panama 7-0 and the Netherlands 3-1. Next game is Wednesday vs. tonight’s winner.
Panama: OUT. Lost to DR 9-0 and PR 7-0.
We’ll keep you posted on future goings-on of the WBC. I didn’t think I’d really be into it at all, but…I am.
Ladies... 
Italy (wtf)? is right. Was happy Australia won until I watched us lose to Italy. A painful game, right up there with the Jays/Detroit game the last day of the season in 1989.
I would like to apologize to the Dominican and Canada for apparently firing up the European teams with the dismissive tone of my preview. Although it does make things a lot more exciting. I wish more of the games were on channels I get on my TV.
Ololo! I like what is written here!!