The announced that Tijuana, Mexico will host the WBSC U15 Baseball World Cup from October 30 to November 8, 2020. Mexico is no newcomer in welcoming the WBSC U15 Baseball Cup as the country has hosted the international competiton three times in the history of the five-year tournament.
After placing fifth in the 2017 European Baseball Championship, Azzurrini U15 manager Roberto De Franceschi embarked on a two-year mission to scout over 300 players and assemble the best youth players for the Team Italy roster in the 2019 Euro Championship. The Italian skipper’s search paid off as the young and talented squad qualified for 2020 WBSC U15 Baseball World Cup by being one of the two top teams in the 2019 U15 European Baseball Championship.
Despite being the underdog when facing the previously undefeated Netherlands, Team Italy beat the Dutch 5-3 in the U15 European Baseball Championship semifinals at Steno Borghese Stadium in Nettuno on July 19, 2019. Germany, the other European representative in the 2020 U15 Baseball World Cup, defeated Team Italy 10-3 in the 2019 U15 European Baseball final on the following night. Team Italy and Germany are among the 12 countries battling for the World Champion title in the WBSC U15 Baseball Cup. Defending champion USA, host Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, Guam, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and South Africa round out the field of fierce competitors. USA defeated Panama in the 2018 WBSC U15 World Cup final while Chinese Taipei finished third. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
