World No. 1 Japan will use again a digital challenge to open the selection process for the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup, scheduled from 28 July to 6 August in Tainan, Taiwan.
"The selection process aims at reaching as many kids as possible," announced the Samurai Japan official website.
Players born from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012 are eligible for the digital challenge. They will need to be registered with one of six organizations competing with a hardball:
Players must complete an application form and upload a video showcasing their pitching, hitting, fielding and throwing abilities, including a self-introduction, by Monday, 8 May.
Samurai Japan will consider only players who can:
- Run 50 metres in 7.3 seconds or less
- Pitch at 105 kilometres per hour or more
- Reach 70 metres or more through a long throw.
The players selected through the digital challenge will take the field for a final tryout on Sunday, 18 June.