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.