Venezuela reveals South America’s ‘best-ever’ roster for Women’s Baseball World Cup

CARACAS – The Venezuelan Baseball Federation (FEVEBE) is looking to improve upon the nation’s historic bronze medal at the last Women’s Baseball World Cup (2016), revealing the South America’s “best-ever” roster of female baseball players.

Venezuela is expected to be among the favourites in the VIII WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup, which will be played from 22-31 August at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera, Florida, marking the first time the biggest stage in women’s baseball is played in the U.S.

Venezuela’s 2016 race to the Finals set off a media buzz across the nation, which prompted Venezuelan President Nicolas Madura to honour the team with a hero’s welcome back home.

“Following the success and bronze medal of our Women’s National Team in 2016, a new women’s baseball league was formed, and this has increased the number and quality of female players in Venezuela, where baseball is already the national sport,” said President Mrs. Aracelis Leon. “Venezuela has some of the best baseball players in the world, and the team that we are taking to Florida represents the best women’s baseball team ever from South America. Our goal is to be in the Finals.”

Smooth-fielding shortstop Sor Mary Brito has been named captain of Venezuela’s World Cup squad, which will be managed again by Carlos Torres.

😮😮😮😮😮😮😮 !!!!! Sor. Malis. Brito. #WomensBaseball #WorldCup @fevebeisbol https://t.co/SwS6VZrSYh

— ⚾ WBSC (@WBSC) September 7, 2016

Venezuela’s roster includes 13 players with past National Team experience, while 7 players will wear their country’s jersey for the first time.

PITCHERS: Giddelys Cumana, Milanyela Cortez, Linibeth Aguilarte, María Rincón, Kisbel Vizcaya, Patricia Segovia and Nelsy Rubio.

CATCHERS: Osmari García and Yudtgreis Betancourt.

INFIELDERS: Sor Mary Brito, Astrid Rodríguez, Freimar Suniaga, Ingrid Escobar and Yohelis Colina and Maigleth Torres.

OUTFIELDERS: Leonela Reyes, Migrilys Ángulo, Marianne Pérez, Yusneiby Acacio and Esquía Rengel.

Venezuela will open the Women’s Baseball World Cup in Group A, along with No. 4 United States, No. 6 Chinese Taipei, No. 7 Korea, No. 8 Netherlands and unranked Puerto Rico. The top three from the group will advance to the Super Round.

For updates on Venezuela’s Women’s National Baseball Team, follow @FeveBeisbol on Twitter.