15/02/2024 1 Minute Read

Schedule announced for Women's Baseball World Cup Finals; USA v Venezuela opening game

The WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals in Thunder Bay, Canada will open on Sunday, 28 July with USA playing Venezuela at 10 am. Defending champions Japan take on Chinese Taipei at 2 pm before the Opening Ceremony takes place at 6 pm and Canada play Mexico in the last game of the day, starting at 7.30 pm. All times are local.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and Baseball Canada revealed the schedule for the IX Women's Baseball World Cup Finals, presented by CARNEXT, to be played in Thunder Bay, Canada, from 28 July to 3 August.

World No. 1 Japan, No. 2 Chinese Taipei, No. 3 Venezuela, No. 4 USA, No. 5 Mexico, and No. 7 Canada will compete in a round-robin through Thursday, 1 August.

"The ninth edition of the premier event in international women's baseball will reach its climax this year in Thunder Bay and we look forward to seeing the best teams in international women's baseball contest for the honour of becoming world champion," WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said. "It will be the first ever Finals stage for the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup and after last year's successful Group stage at Thunder Bay, I expect another successful event, celebrating the best of our sport and our wonderful athletes."

“We are very pleased to be able to welcome back Team Canada, Mexico, and USA to Thunder Bay. We also welcome for the first time Team Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Venezuela," said Nick Melchiore, head of the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA). "This will mark the third time Thunder Bay has hosted a Baseball World Cup and the first time being a women’s event. We look forward to showcasing Thunder Bay’s natural beauty and hospitality to the world."

The tournament will open on Sunday, 28 July with USA playing Venezuela at 10 am. Japan v Chinese Taipei will follow at 2 pm before the Opening Ceremony takes place at 6 pm and then the last game of the day Canada v Mexico, starting at 7.30 pm. All times are local.

After a rest day, the top two finishers will compete for the World Title and the number three and four seeds will play for a bronze medal on Saturday, 3 August.

The IX Women's Baseball World Cup became the first edition played under the WBSC two-stage format. USA, Mexico and Canada qualified through Group A, played in Thunder Bay, while Japan, Chinese Taipei and Venezuela earned their right through Group B, played in Miyoshi City, Japan.