very excited for this...

NEW YORK -- Baseball's long wait for a World Cup-style international tournament, with the game's best players representing their countries, is over.

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association jointly announced Wednesday that the "World Baseball Classic," a 16-nation tournament featuring the world's best players competing for their home countries, will be played in March 2006.

here are some roster projections:

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

C—Miguel Olivo (Mariners)
1B—Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
2B—Alfonso Soriano (Rangers)
3B—Aramis Ramirez (Cubs)
SS— Miguel Tejada (Orioles)
LF—Manny Ramirez (Red Sox)
CF—Jose Guillen (Nationals)
RF—Vladimir Guerrero (Angels)
DH—David Ortiz (Red Sox)
SP—Pedro Martinez (Mets)
SP—Bartolo Colon (Angels)
SP—Odalis Perez (Dodgers)
SP—Daniel Cabrera (Orioles)
RP—Francisco Cordero (Rangers)
Manager: Felipe Alou (Giants)

PUERTO RICO
C—Ivan Rodriguez (Tigers)
1B—Carlos Delgado (Marlins)
2B—Jose Vidro (Nationals)
3B—Mike Lowell (Marlins)
SS—Alex Cora (Indians)
LF—Alexis Rios (Blue Jays)
CF—Carlos Beltran (Mets)
RF—Jose Cruz Jr. (Diamondbacks)
DH—Javy Lopez (Orioles)
SP—Javier Vazquez (Diamondbacks)
SP—Joel Pineiro (Mariners)
SP—J.C. Romero (Twins)
SP—Kiko Calero (Athletics)
RP—Roberto Hernandez (Mets)
Manager: Jose Cruz Sr. (Astros)

U.S.A.
C—Jason Varitek (Red Sox)
1B—Todd Helton (Rockies)
2B—Jeff Kent (Dodgers)
3B—Scott Rolen (Cardinals)
SS—Alex Rodriguez (Yankees)
LF—Lance Berkman (Astros)
CF—Jim Edmonds (Cardinals)
RF—Gary Sheffield (Yankees)
DH—Barry Bonds (Giants)
SP—Roger Clemens (Astros)
SP—Mark Prior (Cubs)
SP—Ben Sheets (Brewers)
SP—Mark Mulder (Cardinals)
RP—Billy Wagner (Phillies)
Manager: Bobby Cox (Braves)