Facts and figures: XXIX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019

4-time defending World Champions USA take 16-game win-streak into Gijang, last loss was in 2015 to Japan

GIJANG, Korea — This is the 29th edition of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup and the second time the junior baseball world championship is being held in Korea. It is also the second time that a World Cup is being played at Gijang-Hyundai Dream Ballpark (WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup 2016).

Cuba (11), USA (9) and Korea (5) have won the most U-18 Baseball World Cups.

USA enters Gijang having won their last 16 games in the U-18 World Cup. USA’s last loss was in the opening round of the 2015 edition, a 3-0 loss to Japan. USA and Japan will meet on Day 3 (Monday, 1 September).

USA has won the last four U-18 World Cups (2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017) can become the first team in history to win five consecutive U-18 world titles. Cuba won four U-18 World Cups in a row from 1984 to 1987.

USA has medalled in 26 of 28 editions of the U-18 World Cup, only missing out on a medal in 2004 (4th Place) and 2010 (5th Place).

Chinese Taipei has won the U-18 world title two times (1983, 2010), while Canada has won the pinnacle youth baseball event once (1991).

Netherlands and Spain are both hoping to become the first European team in history to win a medal in the U-18 Baseball World Cup.

Other facts of the XXIX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019:

• Total Games: 50 (30 Opening Round, 9 Super Round, 9 Consolation, 1 Bronze Medal Match and 1 Final)
• Dates: 30 August – 8 September
• Official ball: SSK
• Game length: 9 innings
• Replay challenge: Yes