XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup: The numbers tell the story why Japan and Chinese Taipei were the best teams

The XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup was not a hitters' tournament.

The only medal-round team with an over .300 batting average (.303) was Japan, with Korea (.265) and Chinese Taipei (.263) on the same level while the defending champions United States were hitting at .211.

Winners Japan had two standouts - designated hitter and pitcher Riku Takeda (batting average .417) and the tournament MVP Ren Ogata (.593). Only All-World-Teamer Perry Morland (.409) performed at that level for the US.

Korea showed more power. They didn't record home runs, but hit 14 doubles and combined 74 total bases. The United States recorded eight doubles and 61 total bases, while Chinese Taipei had four home runs, 75 total bases and 74 total bases.

Pitching is the main reason why Chinese Taipei and Japan made the World Championship Final. Japan had a 1.10 earned run average (ERA). Chinese Taipei did even better: 0.80. The difference with Korea (1.98) and the United States (2.44) was clear.

Japan had also the best control, since their pitchers only allowed 12 walks. Chinese Taipei scored close (17), but the difference with Korea (20) and the US (32) was again clear.

Korea had the most strike outs (86), followed by Japan (68), Chinese Taipei (65) and the United States (52).

Japan had also the best defence. They committed as few as three defensive errors. Korea followed with five, Chinese Taipei had six and the United States 14.

During the Closing Ceremony the WBSC honoured the Individual Award recipients:

• Leading hitter Ren Ogata (Japan) .571 batting average
• Pitcher with the best Earned Run Average Kelvin Contreras (Panama), 0.47
• Pitcher with the best win-loss ratio Wei Che Tseng (Chinese Taipei), 2-0
• Most Runs Batted In Chao Hung Chao (Chinese Taipei), 9
• Most Home Runs Chao Hung Chang (Chinese Taipei), 3
• Most Stolen Bases Derek Curiel (USA), 6
• Most Runs Scored Ren Ogata (Japan), 10
• Best Defensive Player Ching Hsien Ko (Chinese Taipei)

• WBSC Announced XXXI U-18 Baseball World Cup MVP and All-Star Team
• Japan win their first U-18 Baseball World Cup
• On Day 11: Korea earn bronze medal
• On Day 10: Korea and United States will play for a bronze medal
• On Day 9: Chinese Taipei and Japan head to World Championship Final
• On Day 8: Chinese Taipei shut out USA, remain only undefeated team
• On Day 7: Chinese Taipei finish undefeated, two games postponed
• On Day 6: USA, JPN, NED tied, KOR to Super Round, TPE-PUR postponed
• On Day 5: Chinese Taipei, Japan, USA, Netherlands and Puerto Rico advance to Super Round
• On Day 4: Chinese Taipei and Japan lead respective groups undefeated
• On Day 3: Chinese Taipei, Japan, USA earn second win
• On Day 2: USA, Panama and Japan win, two games postponed
• On Day 1: Chinese Taipei shut out Australia