TORONTO, March 6 (UPI) -- The United States will play its first game in the World Baseball Classic Saturday, hoping to improve upon its performance in the inaugural event.
The American team lost back-to-back games to South Korea and Mexico in 2007 and was knocked out of the tournament without reaching the semifinals.
This time, in a new format, Team USA will meet Canada, Venezuela and Italy in one of the four double-elimination tourneys being held around the world.
The top two teams from each pool will advance into one of two other double-elimination tournaments and the best two from each of those will meet in the semifinals.
In their first outing, the Americans will take on Canada at 2 p.m. EST Saturday in Toronto.
New York Yankees star Derek Jeter will be one of four U.S. players who participated for the United States two years ago.
"You have to play well right from the start," Jeter said. "If you don't, then you're going home."
If the United States wins Saturday, its next game will be Monday against the winner of Saturday's Italy-Venezuela matchup. If the Americans lose to Canada, they will face possible instant elimination Monday against the Italy-Venezuela loser.
