Feb. 28, 2017

Feb. 28, 2017

Nations, Groups announced for 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay

By Adam Morissette
OTTAWA - The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced today the 12-participating nations and groups for the 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup that will take place in Thunder Bay, Ontario from September 1-10.

Canada, who will participate as the host country, is in Group A along with Korea, Chinese Taipei, Australia, Italy and Nicaragua. Group B consists of defending champion USA along with Japan, Cuba, Mexico, Netherlands and South Africa.

Of the 12 participating nations, nine — No. 1 Japan, No. 2 USA, No. 3 Korea, No. 4 Chinese Taipei, No. 5 Cuba, No. 6 Mexico, No. 8 Canada, No. 9 Netherlands and No. 10 Australia — are currently ranked in the Top 10 of the WBSC Baseball World Rankings.

The top three teams of each group will advance to the Super Round and play crossover games before bronze and gold medal match-ups are decided.

Australia, Japan, Netherlands, South Africa and United States won their respective U-18 continental championships; Chinese Taipei and Korea finished second and third in Asia; Cuba, Mexico and Nicaragua placed second, third and fourth in the Americas; Italy was the runner-up in Europe. Host nation Canada was given an automatic berth. 

Canada is coming off a sixth place finish at the 2015 WBSC U-18 World Cup in Osaka, Japan after finishing 7th in 2013, 2nd in 2012 and 4th in 2010 when the event was last held in Thunder Bay.

In 27 all-time U-18 Baseball World Cup events, Canada has won six medals including one gold (1991), one silver (2012) and four bronze (’83, ’87, ’97, 06).

Canada will begin preparations for the 2017 WBSC U-18 baseball World Cup March 24th to April 2nd at the annual Spring Training Camp in St. Petersburg, Florida. Subsequent camps will take place in April (Extended Spring Training, Orlando) and May (Dominican Summer League Camp) before the final selection camp in August where 20 athletes will be selected to represent Canada in Thunder Bay.

For more information including how to purchase tickets, please visit thunderbay2017.com.