It's Fun Until Someone Snaps a Ligament

In an unsurprising move last week, the powers that be at the World Baseball Classic announced that pitchers would be on a strict pitch count throughout the tournament. They also announced a mercy rule, which evidently will also help protect the pitchers from unnecessary abuse.

These actions were offered as a compromise to those who believe that players will be joining the DL in droves because of the WBC. You've heard their argument: it's too early in the year for pitchers (and players) to play in meaningful games. It's all fun and games until someone snaps a ligament.

Other people have made the logical counter-argument, but it's worth repeating: players get hurt in spring training, too. It doesn't matter if it's a meaningless Cactus League game or an allegedly meaningful game in the WBC, injuries happen.

That's not to say that the officials of the WBC should not try to prevent injuries as much as they can. Until we can get CGI ballplayers controlled telepathically by real players, there will always be risks anytime real players take the field.