The III WBSC U12 Baseball World Cup commences on Friday in Tainan City, Taiwan. 12 countries battle for the lone world championship at this age category in all of sports. Team USA is the defending champion, having defeated 2011 title holder Chinese Taipei in the finals in Taipei City two years ago.
The tournament for players age 11 and 12 will be played from July 24 to August 2. The Czech Republic and France represent European Baseball at the 12U Baseball World Cup. Favorites are the teams from the US, Cuba, Chinese Taipei, Mexico and Venezuela. A dark horse could be Nicaragua as Americas continental champion.
A round robin will be played in the first round with the top three advancing to the so-called super round robin of the top six. The top two of the super round robin will play in the Gold Medal Game on August 2. Tainan City has acquired the rights to host the U12 Baseball World Cups in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Games will be played at Tainan Stadium, Kuei-Jen Stadium and Shang-Hwan Stadium.
Videoland is going to broadcast all games played at Tainan Stadium. Snoopy and his friends from Peanuts are the official global ambassadors and are featured on all promotional items and venues of the U12 Baseball World Cup.
Live play by play is available through www.ibaf.org
