2 Asian, 4 Americas nations qualify for WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup 2019

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Nine of 12 National Teams are now confirmed for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup® 2019 in Tainan, Taiwan, following continental championships in the Americas and Asia.

In the Americas, the United States, Mexico, Cuba and Venezuela — the top four finishers on the continent — have qualified for the U-12 Baseball World Cup 2019. In Aguascalientes, Mexico, world No. 1 USA captured its first-ever U-12 Pan-Am Baseball Championship, defeating No. 5 Mexico, 10-2, in the Final, while No. 4 Cuba earned the bronze with a 12-5 victory over No. 11 Venezuela.

U-12 Baseball World Cup host No. 6 Chinese Taipei claimed the Asian youth baseball title in Taipei City, defeating No. 3 Korea, 3-2, in the Final. In the bronze medal match, No. 2 Japan beat No. 28 Pakistan, 10-0. The Republic of Korea and Japan — the top two finishers at the Asian championship, not including already qualified Chinese Taipei — will advance to the biennial youth baseball world championship next year in Tainan.

“Congratulations to USA Baseball and the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association for putting together the best youth teams on their respective continents,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. “And congratulations to Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, Korea and Japan for earning a place in the fifth edition of the U-12 Baseball World Cup, which is shaping into the most globally competitive and exciting one in its young history.”

Three spots remain open for the U-12 Baseball World Cup, with the African and Oceania qualifiers as well as the wild card to be determined.

European champions Italy and runners-up Czech Republic were the first nations to qualify into the youth baseball 12-nation global battle For the Title of World Champion in Tainan.

USA Baseball has assembled the best youth team and players on the planet for the past three editions, claiming three consecutive World Championships at the U-12 Baseball World Cup (2013, 2015 and 2017).

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