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Welcome to this daily summary of the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, giving you the latest news and key updates on baseball's official world championship in the age bracket.
BRADENTON & SARASOTA, Florida, USA -- The United States defeated Chinese Taipei in the final, 5-1, to win the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. It's their 10th World Title in the age bracket making the World No. 5 the second best programme at the U-18 level after Cuba, who have earned 11 World Titles.
It's also the third WBSC world title for USA Baseball this year and fourth for USA after claiming U-12, U-15 World Titles and the Women's Softball World Championship trophy at the World Games previously.
"The WBSC is a different brand of baseball," said USA manager Denny Hocking at the end of the game. "It's about what you can do for your country. I think this group became a family on its way to this World Championship game."
"I think the big moment for us came last night. We returned to the hotel, and captain Dylan Cupp called a team meeting. He texted me when the meeting was over and said I didn't need to worry; we had it."
Bryce Eldridge was named the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Most Valuable Player after a magnificent performance during the entire tournament, capped with a monster game in the World Championship Final. The WBSC also named the All-World Team and introduced the individual awards during the Closing Ceremony.
Japan defeated Korea in the Bronze Medal Game, 6-2, to earn a spot in the podium.
Final Day Results
Final Day - As it Happened
Final Standings
A pair of two-RBI singles from Shino Matsuo and Kai Watabe in the top of the second inning propelled Japan to a 6-2 win over Korea in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Bronze Medal Game, giving the Japanese team a second bronze medal in history after finishing third in the 2017 edition having previously won two silver medals back-to-back.
Earlier in the day, USA clinched a place in the final after having their final Super Round game against Japan put on hold overnight due to bad weather on Saturday with Japan leading 3-2. They returned to the field Sunday morning with USA coming-from-behind to win 4-3.
Tournament Highlights
The United States win over Chinese Taipei in the final moves them to 10 U-18 World Titles (one behind leaders Cuba with 11) and reversed the defeat to Chinese Taipei in the 2019 final. It's also USA's fifth U-18 Baseball World Cup in six editions.
Chinese Taipei claimed their 18th U-18 Baseball World Cup medal, equal with Cuba and second behind USA's total of 27.
It was the first time Japan and Korea played off for bronze at a U-18 Baseball World Cup. For Japan, it's the fourth podium finish in five editions (two silver and two bronze) while Korea missed out on the podium for the first time since 2013 (two bronze in 2019 and 2015 and a silver in 2017).
It also marks the first time USA, Chinese Taipei and Japan are on the U-18 Baseball World Cup podium together.
The Netherlands, in fifth, recorded their best ever finish while Mexico finished sixth for the sixth time in 16 editions to record their best result since finishing fourth in 2006.
Brazil's seventh place is their best placement since 1997 while Panama, in eighth, recorded their best result since finishing seventh in 2012.
Australia finished their campaign in ninth for the first time since 2012, matching their lowest finish at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup which they've now achieved three times.
Italy finished 10th for the fifth time in 18 participations while Canada recorded their lowest ranking of 11th having played in 26 of the 30 editions of the tournament and South Africa finished 12th for the third edition in a row.
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