Puerto Rico to warm up for WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Summer Collegiate League

World No. 9 Puerto Rico will warm up for the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS in the inaugural Summer Collegiate League.

The Puerto Rican Baseball Federation (FBPR) opened the preparation camp on June 9 with 36 players, split into two teams at the Francisco Negron Stadium in Las Piedras.

Players considered for the expanded roster competed in inter-squad games in Humacao and Salinas in May.

The defending U-18 World Champions Japan will host the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS from September 5 to 14 in Okinawa.

Puerto Rico will compete in Group A and face No. 1 Japan, No. 6 Korea, No. 10 Cuba, No. 14 Italy and No. 31 South Africa.

Group B includes No. 2 Chinese Taipei, No. 5 USA, No. 8 Panama, No. 12 Australia, No. 17 Germany and No. 20 China.

The Collegiate Summer League is FBPR's new initiative to provide U-23 prospects with new playing opportunities and increased visibility.

"We created the Summer Collegiate League to provide development opportunities and exposure to young talents on the island. It's a real opportunity for growth and visibility," commented Executive Director Efraín Williams González.

Seven teams will participate in the first edition: The U-18 National Team will face Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, Canóvanas, Carolina Cobayas, Carolina Sembradores, UPR-Humacao, and Canóvanas. Each team will play ten games through July 12. The best four finishers will advance to the semifinals.

Caguas, Las Piedras and Humacao will host the opening games on Saturday, June 15.