The rumors floated the internet for quite some time. Now the IBAF confirms it in an announcement on Friday afternoon on their website. Pool D at the upcoming Baseball World Cup in September will be relocated from Moscow, Russia to Zagreb, Croatia. Additionally Croatia replaces Russia in this preliminary round group and is going to compete against Japan, Nicaragua and Great Britain for a spot in the second round. Apparently France also was in consideration to be the new host, but the federation couldn’t make the necessary financial adjustments.
Announcement from www.ibaf.org:
IBAF Announces Relocation of One of the 2009 Baseball World Cup First Round Sites from Russia to Croatia
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Games featuring Japan, Great Britain, Nicarauga and Croatia to be held in Zagreb from September 9-12.
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The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) today announced that one of the five first round sites for the 2009 IBAF Baseball World Cup will be relocated from Moscow, Russia to Zagreb, Croatia. The round’s Pool D pool, which features Japan, Great Britain, Nicaragua, and Croatia (replacing Russia).
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“We are very appreciative of the Russian Federation for stepping aside and allowing the Croatian Baseball Federation to move in and take over as host of Pool D, which will include two European nations, one of the most competitive teams in Central America, and traditional international baseball power Japan,” said IBAF Secretary General John Ostermeyer. The response to the move has been very positive and we continue to look forward to a great event.”
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Preparations and ticket sales for the other first round World Cup games in Regensburg, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic; Stockholm, Sweden; and Barcelona, Spain continue to go very well, with all games scheduled from 9-12 September. The second round will be split between Italy and the Netherlands, while the final round will be held in Italy on 27 September. In total, 22 nations will compete for the coveted world championship. Television and digital coverage for the World Cup will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Baseball is an emerging sport in Croatia, with teams ranging from youth programs to 13 senior clubs. It is the first time Zagreb will host an international baseball event of this size. Croatia has had a baseball federation since 1986.