Our neighbors don't seem to like each other very much

Canada vs Mexico Brawl (World Baseball Classic 2013)

This is what happens when you lose to Italy. Both team were looking to get their ticket home punched and came out punching. So much for the argument that the players aren't taking these games seriously.  

This is what happens when you have tournament rules like the mercy rule, run differential rules deciding who advances, etc. All the usual "unwritten rules" get tossed out the window, then someone says something about somebody's momma and IT'S ON!!!

Issues discussed here in Yahoo Sports article:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/fierce-brawl-mars-canadas-10-234242057--mlb.html

Canada is trying to get to +10 to save some pitching, so they bunt or steal when normally that would be unseemly and the opponent decides to deliver a message. The Canadian hitter almost dipped into the second pitch, then took the 3rd message pitch square in the back without moving an inch, so it looks like these guys were just itching to brawl. 

I could say the Canadians were taking their hockey heritage onto the diamond, but that would be too easy.  

Now the U.S. takes the neighborhood rivalry north to decide who advances into the second round. The Italians would have to be happy just making it to the Elite 8. If they can manage to win their first game there, things could get really, really interesting. 

Credete nei miracoli? Sì!

H/T to slavieboy for the WBC video. (I can't find them all by myself)