WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 10 days to go: A young tournament providing lots of excitement
The WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup, which started in 2014 as a U-21 tournament before changing to the U-23 age category in its second edition in 2016, is the youngest of the WBSC’s baseball properties but arguably one of the most exciting.
Eight teams (Japan, Mexico, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei, Panama, Australia, Korea and Colombia) have medalled and four (Japan, Mexico and Venezuela as well as Chinese Taipei in the inaugural U-21 edition) have claimed the title of World Champion. Japan is the only two-time U-23 World Champion and the defending champion. Mexico is the only former U-23 World Champion not qualifying for the 2024 edition.
The WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024, which takes place in Shaoxing, China from 6-15 September, will become the first-ever Baseball World Cup played in mainland China.
Here's an historical look at each team participating in the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024 including two debutants - China and Great Britain (data includes the WBSC U-21 Baseball World Cup):
GROUP A
Japan
- U-23 BWC Appearances: 4
- Highest Finish: World Champion (2016, 2022)
- 2022 Finish: World Champion
- World Ranking: 1
Australia
- U-23 BWC Appearances: 4
- Highest Finish: 3rd (2016)
- 2022 Finish: 6th
- World Ranking: 11
Puerto Rico
- U-23 BWC Appearances: 2
- Highest Finish: 8th (2018)
- 2022 Finish: 9th
- World Ranking: 12
Colombia
- U-23 BWC Appearances: 3
- Highest Finish: 3rd (2021)
- 2022 Finish: 5th
- World Ranking: 13
Great Britain
- U-23 BWC Appearances: debut
- Highest Finish: -
- 2022 Finish: -
- World Ranking: 18
China
- U-23 BWC Appearances: debut
- Highest Finish: -
- 2022 Finish: -
- World Ranking: 24
GROUP B
Korea
- U-23 BWC Appearances: 5
- Highest Finish: 2nd (2022)
- 2022 Finish: 2nd
- World Ranking: 4
Chinese Taipei
- U-23 BWC Appearances: 5
- Highest Finish: U-21 World Champion (2014)
- 2022 Finish: 3rd
- World Ranking: 5
Venezuela
- U-23 BWC Appearances: 5
- Highest Finish: World Champion (2021)
- 2022 Finish: 7th
- World Ranking: 6
Netherlands
- U-23 BWC Appearances: 4
- Highest Finish: 8th (2022)
- 2022 Finish: 8th
- World Ranking: 7
Nicaragua
- U-23 BWC Appearances: 3
- Highest Finish: 4th (U-21 BWC 2014)
- 2022 Finish: -
- World Ranking: 20
South Africa
- U-23 BWC Appearances: 3
- Highest Finish: 11th (2016, 2018)
- 2022 Finish: 12th
- World Ranking: 34
Media registration is open until Saturday, August 31.