So in all internation play, if a game reaches the 11th inning, bith teams will start their half of the inning with runners on first and second base with no outs. Now you might think this rule is stupid, which I believe it is, but probably not for the same reason. The reason why this rule is in effect is due to pitch limits for pitchers. They're not allowed to throw over a certain amount of pitches, so this is done to try and shorten the game by creating runs. Now I believe the reason for this rule is perfectly justified, but it's unfair to certain teams. I bring this rule up because Sunday, in WBC play, for the first time this rule was put into effect. During a second round game between Japan and the Netherlands, the rule was used, and as it was intended to, it ended the game. This is why I find it stupid, how it ended the game. Japan's team is a very by the books small ball team, and with their success in the tournament, it clearly works. Japan has a lot of speedy guys, and almost everyone on that team can but successfully. This causes the problem for the Netherlands which caused them to lose. The Netherlands has a lot of big bats that get big hits. They're not as fast of a team, and have less skill when it comes to playing small ball. Neither strategy is bad, but the extra innings rules heavily favor Japan's strategy, and that was very evident in the game. Japan bunted both runners over, then got a hit to score the winning run. The rules heavily favor a small ball team like Japan, and I feel they should have an alternative, fairer system. I believe the rule should be: A runner chosen by the hitting team should be placed on second, but the inning would start with one out. I know neither of these are perfect, but I feel they fit multiple play styles better. Japan could still play small ball and either bunt and go for a hit/ infield single, have the runner steal third and then bunt/ hit, or just hit straight up, and the Netherlands could do what they do and just swing away. Again this rule does have flaws but I feel it's more fair than the current set of rules in place for extra innings in international play.