Japan and Baseball

Japan won the first game of the World Baseball Classic this week. China and the U.S. were both also included in this tournament. China is also growing in its ablity to compete in baseball.
It looks like American is gaining worldwide competition in baseball.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/06/sports/baseball/06classic.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=japan&st=cse