VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup: Meet the 12 managers
27/07/2023 2 Minute Read

VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup: Meet the 12 managers

In Group A, Japan's Hirokazu Ibata, Mexico's Juan Morales, and the host Ming-Jen Chen made no hidling of the fact they aim to win the world title. In Group B, the defending champions USA look like the favourites. "Everybody came here with the ultimate goal to win," said manager Troy Gerlach.

The VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup is scheduled to open on Friday, 28 July with the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) and the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association (CTBA) strictly monitoring the Doksuri Typhoon's progress in the Southern China Sea. The rain coming with the typhoon's tail may affect the first days of the tournament.

Inclement weather forced the cancellation of practice on Thursday, 27 July. The WBSC spoke to the 12 managers at the end of the pre-tournament technical meeting.

U-12 Baseball World Cup Graphics

Group A

"[World No. 1] Japan is the Olympic Champion and the World Champion," said manager and former Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) All-Star Hirokazu Ibata, who served as a coach during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. "We want to follow in those steps, but for now, we aim to reach the Super Round."

No. 3 Mexico travelled to Taiwan with the aim to win. "We have excellent talent in our pitchers, as well as our defence and lineup," commented manager Juan Morales, who has managed Mexico in three previous U-12 World Cups.

Ming-Jen Chen will manage No. 4 and two-time U-12 World Champions Chinese Taipei on home soil. "I'd be lying if I said there is no pressure," he said during a press conference.

No. 6 Venezuela finished second in the VI U-12 Baseball World Cup. "We may not have a World Champion type of team," commented manager Rafael Herde, "but I'm confident we can compete against everybody. We have excellent offence and defence and consistent pitching."

Philip Hemmer will manage No. 10 Australia. "We have a young team made of great kids, and we are looking to compete, possibly shocking some people."

Former National Team player Dominik Buder has led No. 19 Germany to two consecutive U-12 European titles. "I participated also in 2017, and I know the competition is very good. We have certain teams we match up well with, but others are out of reach. We are trying to make the best of it."

Tournament Pass U-12 BWC

Group B

World No. 2 and defending U-12 World Champions USA are the favourites. "Winning is the ultimate goal for everybody in this room," commented manager Troy Gerlach. "We're still trying to figure out everybody since we have been together for a week now. We have a great group of kids and will see how they respond to adversities. We will compete and hopefully win gold."

Duckhyun Ryu manages No. 5 Korea and believes, "We have a talented team and get here very well prepared. I believe we will be able to showcase the level of Korean baseball."

No. 10 Dominican Republic is also seeking a Super Round spot. "We have a lot of talent, commented manager Cristobal Bonilla. "We worked hard during preparation. I'm confident we can compete. Participating in the U-12 World Cup will help our players' development."

Former international pitcher Elpidio Pinto has worked hard to prepare No. 14 Panama.
"We are ready. We have been together for weeks and cannot wait to begin."

No. 16 Czechia and No. 45 New Zealand are seen as the underdogs.

Czechia's first-year manager Jan Zlabek has participated in the U-12 World Cup as a coach and is confident his team will "make the strongest effort to compete.".

New Zealand's Andrew Marck has competed as a player in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier and the Australian Baseball League. "Our baseball has been on the rise for a while now. My goal is making these kids as good as we can."

VII U-12 Baseball World Cup Schedule