Day 1 Preview – XXIX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019 Gijang

GIJANG, Korea — The first six games — of a total of 50 — are scheduled on the Opening Day of the XXIX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup at Gijang-Hyundai Dream Ballpark.

Friday, 30 August — Day 1

Game 1: China vs Canada – Group A

• This will be the first game between China and Canada at the U-18 Baseball World Cup in recent years.
• Canada qualified for the 2019 U-18 World Cup after finishing in third place at the 2018 U-18 Pan American Championship, while China received a wild card.
• Canada are aiming for their seventh top-three finish at the U-18 World Cup and their first podium spot since 2012, when they finished in second place behind winners United States.
• China have never reached the U-18 World Cup podium.
• Canada won their opening game in six of their last seven U-18 World Cup appearances.

Game 2: Panama vs Chinese Taipei – Group B

• These teams will clash at the U-18 World Cup for the first time since 2012, when Chinese Taipei beat Panama 4-3 in the group stage on a sac fly by Tzu Wei Lin in the bottom of the ninth inning.
• Panama, aiming for their first ever medal at the U-18 World Cup, qualified for this year’s tournament after finishing in second place at the 2018 U-18 Pan American Championship.
• Chinese Taipei earned a spot in this year’s U-18 World Cup after finishing as runners-up at the 2018 U-18 Asian Championship.
• Chinese Taipei won their last U-18 World Cup opener in 2017 (7-6 victory over Canada in 10 innings).
• In 2012, Panama started their most recent U-18 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory versus Italy.

Game 3: Spain vs Japan – Group B

• Spain and Japan will face each other at the U-18 World Cup for the first time in recent years.
• Spain will make their first U-18 World Cup appearance since 2006.
• Spain qualified for the 2019 U-18 World Cup after finishing in second place at the 2018 U-18 European Championship.
• Japan have medaled in the U-18 World Cup in each of the last three editions.
• Japan earned a place in the 2019 U-18 World Cup thanks to a third-place finish at the 2018 U-18 Asian Championship.
• Japan have started with a win in the last three U-18 World Cups.

Game 4: Nicaragua vs Australia – Group A

• At the 2017 U-18 World Cup, Australia beat Nicaragua 11-6.
• Australia are hoping to claim their first U-18 World Cup podium spot since 2010.
• Australia have started with a win in six of the last seven U-18 World Cups.
• In 2017, Nicaragua finished in 10th place.
• Nicaragua qualified for the 2019 U-18 World Cup after finishing in fourth place at the 2018 U-18 Pan American Championship.

Game 5: South Africa vs United States – Group B

• In 2017, United States beat South Africa 5-0, with Jarred Kelenic and Will Banfield both hitting home runs.
• United States won their opening game in each of their last six U-18 World Cup appearances. They last started with a defeat in 2006, when they lost their opener 4-1 against Chinese Taipei.
• United States qualified for this year’s U-18 World Cup by winning the 2018 U-18 Pan American Championship.
• South Africa will be looking to win their first game in the opening round in recent years.

Game 6: Netherlands vs Korea – Group A

• These teams will face each other for the first time at the U-18 World Cup since 2010, when Korea beat Netherlands 10-0.
• Netherlands last started with a victory in 2008, when they won their opener 14-2 against Russia.
• Netherlands lost each of their last six U-18 World Cup games against teams from Asia.
• Korea are the current U-18 champions of Asia and finished in 2nd Place at the 2017 U-18 World Cup.
• Netherlands earned a place in this year’s U-18 World Cup after winning the 2018 U-18 European Championship.