WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup Trophy unveiled during press conference in Sonora, Mexico

The WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup press conference was held today at the Hector Espino Stadium in Hermosillo, Sonora, on the eve of the global event’s Opening Day. During the press conference, the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup Trophy was revealed.

The trophy is 53 cms tall and weighs 8,5 kgs. Most parts of the trophy are made by metal brass, with details in 24 K gold or silver plated. The parts of the trophy are assembled by hand, with a special extreme care as in the most rigorous Italian artisan tradition.

Cuba and USA have lifted the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup trophy the most number of times (six times each), including either one of them in the last 11 editions. Korea, in 1996, was the last time a team other than Cuba or USA claimed the title. Japan has lifted the trophy twice - at the first two editions of this tournament in 1989 and 1990 - while Chinese Taipei, Brazil and Venezuela are the other past winners.

During the press conference the Director of the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE), Ana Gabriela Guevara; former the Director of the Sonora Sports Commission, Erubiel Durazo; and WBSC Events Manager Joan Garcia addressed the media in attendance.

Durazo, a seven-season MLB former player, welcomed everyone to Sonora state. “I’m very happy to receive the 13 countries that will participate in this U-15 Baseball World Cup. Welcome to Sonora,” he said. “I want to thank Ana Gabriela for her support, thank you WBSC and thank you all for being here.” 

On behalf of WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari, Garcia thanked and congratulated Sonora State Government, CONADE and the Local Organising Committee for the effort made in the organization of the event. “Thanks to their work and dedication, everything is ready to live a baseball celebration.”

“For the WBSC it is a pleasure to be back in Sonora, after the successful U-23 Baseball World Cup organized last year in Hermosillo and Ciudad Obregon,” added Garcia. “We really feel at home in Sonora, thanks for hosting us again.”

Meanwhile, Guevara said this event is a great opportunity for all those who want to grow and go far in this discipline. “The U-15 Baseball World Cup is a great event not only for the young players, but also for fans to witness first hand the future of baseball,” she said.

The WBSC Golden Diamond Award recipient also highlighted the legacy of the tournament for Hermosillo and the country. “For our Government, this event allows us to further boost baseball in Mexico. This stadium, which was the home of the Naranjeros the Hermosillo professional team for many years, will become a baseball academy in the next few months,” she said.