World Baseball Classic: Do American sports enthusiasts care?

Do American sports enthusiasts really care about the World Baseball Classic?

We’ll find out Sunday when the USA meets Japan in the semifinals at Dodger Stadium.

It certainly seemed like Americans cared when their team rallied from two runs down to defeat Puerto Rico, 6-5, and advance to the semifinals. Yes, the crowd in Miami went wild.

But before that, apathy seemed to be the word of the day.

USA pitcher Heath Bell, among others, expressed bewilderment that the USA fans were outnumbered the first time they played Puerto Rico in the US city of Miami. (It appeared that way in the second game; but American fans rallied when their team did.)

During the first round in Canada, USA fans were obviously in a minority vs. the Canadians. Yet that doesn’t explain why Venezuela appeared to have as many (or more) fans than America when the teams met in Toronto.

Don’t be surprised if the Japanese have many more supporters than the Americans when they meet in LA.

After all, the WBC is a much bigger deal to them than USA backers.

Bonds in town: Dodgers host steroids awareness clinic

Good for the Dodgers!

They have partnered with the Professional Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society and the Taylor Hooton Foundation to host a steroids awareness clinic for local youth at Dodger Stadium today.

More than 100 kids from local little leagues and RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner City) are expected to participate. The children will receive instruction in nutrition, proper strength training, the medical implications of using steroids, and hitting. Also, a representative from the Drug Enforcement Agency will be on hand to discuss the legal repercussions of using steroids.

The Taylor Hooton Foundation was founded by his parents, family and friends. Hooton, a 17-year old high school athlete from Plano, Texas, took his own life on July 15, 2003, as a result of the abuse of anabolic steroids. Hooton was the nephew of former Dodger pitcher Burt “Hoot Owl” Hooton (1975-84).

The foundation serves to combat the illegal use and abuse of anabolic steroids which is a growing problem among high school athletes across the country. Participants of the clinic will range from age 12 to 15.

Oh, by the way, the San Francisco Giants and Barry Bonds just happen to be in town. The Dodgers say it is a “coincidence” they are hosting a steroids awareness clinic while Bonds is on the premises.

Right; and pro wrestling matches are on the up-and-up!

Peavy holding a winning hand?

Jake Peavy is turning up all aces.

Opponents’ aces, that is.

Peavy got a taste of it last Sunday when he was out-dueled by Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox, 4-2.

He’ll dive headfirst again when matched up Saturday night at Dodger Stadium against Brad Penny.

Beckett was 10-1 when he battled Peavy. Penny comes into Saturday with the same mark.

Of course, Peavy is no slouch at 9-2 for the Padres.

Last season, Peavy finished just 11-14 in his first go-round as staff ace. (Woody Williams, believe it or not, was the opening day starter in 2005.)

The difference in Peavy this year is that he’s healthy. He was never quite right in 2006 after overextending himself in the preseason World Baseball Classic.

If Peavy wants to be the elite in the National League … as opposed to one of the elite … a good way to start would be beating Penny, the NL starter in last year’s All-Star game.