World Cup of Baseball
Encyclopedia
The Baseball World Cup is an international tournament in which national baseball
teams from around the world compete. It is sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation
(IBAF). Along with the World Baseball Classic
, it is one of two active tournaments considered by the IBAF to be a major world championship. (The baseball tournament
at the Summer Olympic Games
was also considered a major world championship, but baseball is no longer an Olympic sport.)
in Panama
. The first tournament, held in 1938
, featured only two teams, but the last tournament included 22 participants; the previous two featured 16 and 18 teams (in 2007
and 2005
, respectively). The World Cup was originally called the Amateur World Series, until the tournament in 1988
. Until 1988, the Amateur World Series was held in intervals of one to four years, except for the eight-year period from 1953–61. From 1988 to 2001, the Baseball World Cup was held in intervals of two to four years. Since 2001, the tournament has been held every two years. The tournament generally receives relatively little publicity and does not begin to approach the popularity of the FIFA World Cup
, cricket World Cup
, or rugby World Cup
.
Until 1998 the competition was limited to amateur players. Since 1998
, professional minor league
players have competed, but Major League Baseball
has not allowed its players to participate. In the months leading up to the high-profile first World Baseball Classic
in 2006
, many commentators heralded it as a "Baseball World Cup", perhaps not realizing that a tournament of that description already exists and has for almost seventy years. However, the 2006 World Baseball Classic
was the first international baseball tournament to include players from the major leagues, making it a closer equivalent to the other world cups—which include players from the most prestigious professional leagues—than the Baseball World Cup.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
teams from around the world compete. It is sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation
International Baseball Federation
The International Baseball Federation is the worldwide governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee as overseeing, deciding and executing the policy of the bat-and-ball sport of baseball at the international level...
(IBAF). Along with the World Baseball Classic
World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world...
, it is one of two active tournaments considered by the IBAF to be a major world championship. (The baseball tournament
Baseball at the Summer Olympics
Baseball at the Summer Olympics had its unofficial debut at the 1904 Summer Games and its official sport at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Baseball has a long history as an exhibition/demonstration sport in the Olympics. However, for 1992 Barcelona the International Olympic Committee granted the sport...
at the Summer Olympic Games
Summer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
was also considered a major world championship, but baseball is no longer an Olympic sport.)
History
There have been 38 Baseball World Cups to date and the most recent World Cup was held in 20112011 Baseball World Cup
The 2011 Baseball World Cup was an international baseball tournament held from October 1 to October 15, 2011. It was the 39th Baseball World Cup. The International Baseball Federation selected Panama to host the tournament, turning down bids from Chinese Taipei and Venezuela...
in Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. The first tournament, held in 1938
1938 Amateur World Series
The 1938 Amateur World Series was the inaugural tournament in what is known today as the Baseball World Cup. It was contested by Great Britain and the United States over a series of five games from August 13 through August 18 in England...
, featured only two teams, but the last tournament included 22 participants; the previous two featured 16 and 18 teams (in 2007
2007 Baseball World Cup
The XXXVII International Baseball Federation Baseball World Cup was held in the Republic of China from November 6 through November 18, 2007. Four stadiums hosted...
and 2005
2005 Baseball World Cup
The XXXVI Baseball World Cup took place in the Netherlands cities of Rotterdam, Haarlem, Almere, Amsterdam and Eindhoven September 2–17, 2005. Countries were split into two groups of nine, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals....
, respectively). The World Cup was originally called the Amateur World Series, until the tournament in 1988
1988 Baseball World Cup
The 1988 Baseball World Cup took place in Italy from August 23 to September 7. Cuba defeated USA in the final to win the tournament.- Final standings :-External links:*...
. Until 1988, the Amateur World Series was held in intervals of one to four years, except for the eight-year period from 1953–61. From 1988 to 2001, the Baseball World Cup was held in intervals of two to four years. Since 2001, the tournament has been held every two years. The tournament generally receives relatively little publicity and does not begin to approach the popularity of the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, cricket World Cup
Cricket World Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of men's One Day International cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council , with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament which is held every four years...
, or rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
.
Until 1998 the competition was limited to amateur players. Since 1998
1998 Baseball World Cup
The 1998 Baseball World Cup took place in Italy from July 21 to August 2.Participating countries were split in two groups, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals...
, professional minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
players have competed, but Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
has not allowed its players to participate. In the months leading up to the high-profile first World Baseball Classic
World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world...
in 2006
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
, many commentators heralded it as a "Baseball World Cup", perhaps not realizing that a tournament of that description already exists and has for almost seventy years. However, the 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
was the first international baseball tournament to include players from the major leagues, making it a closer equivalent to the other world cups—which include players from the most prestigious professional leagues—than the Baseball World Cup.
Tournament Results
| Year | Final Host | Final four | Number of teams | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champions | Runners-up | 3rd place | 4th place | |||
| 1938 Details 1938 Amateur World Series The 1938 Amateur World Series was the inaugural tournament in what is known today as the Baseball World Cup. It was contested by Great Britain and the United States over a series of five games from August 13 through August 18 in England... |
 Great Britain Great Britain Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles... |
– | – | 2 | ||
| 1939 Details 1939 Amateur World Series The 1939 Amateur World Series was the second Amateur World Series, presently known as the Baseball World Cup. It was contested by Cuba, Nicaragua and the United States playing six games each from August 12 through August 26 in Cuba, who won the tournament.... |
 Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... |
– | 3 | |||
| 1940 Details 1940 Amateur World Series The 1940 Amateur World Series was the third Amateur World Series, presently known as the Baseball World Cup. It was contested by seven different teams playing twelve games each from September 14 through October 6 in Cuba, who won the tournament for the second consecutive time.-Final results:... |
Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... |
7 | ||||
| 1941 Details 1941 Amateur World Series The 1941 Amateur World Series was the fourth Amateur World Series, presently known as the Baseball World Cup. It was contested by nine different teams playing eight games each from September 27 through October 22 in Havana, Cuba. Venezuela won the tournament for the first time.-Final results: won... |
Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... |
9 | ||||
| 1942 Details 1942 Amateur World Series The 1942 Amateur World Series was the fifth Amateur World Series, presently known as the Baseball World Cup. It was contested by five different teams playing twelve games each from September 26 through October 20 in Havana, Cuba, who reclaimed their title for their third championship.There was a... |
Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... |
5 | ||||
| 1943 Details 1943 Amateur World Series The 1943 Amateur World Series was the sixth Amateur World Series, presently known as the Baseball World Cup. It was contested by four different teams playing twelve games each from September 25 through October 19 in Havana, Cuba, who won a consecutive title and fourth overall.-Final results:... |
Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... |
4 | ||||
| 1944 Details 1944 Amateur World Series The 1944 Amateur World Series was the seventh Amateur World Series, presently known as the Baseball World Cup. It was contested by four different teams playing twelve games each from September 25 through October 19 in Caracas, Venezuela, who won a controversial second title.Controversy surrounded... |
 Caracas Caracas Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range... |
8 | ||||
| 1945 | Caracas Caracas Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range... |
6 | ||||
| 1947 |  Cartagena de Indias |
9 | ||||
| 1948 |  Managua Managua Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in... |
8 | ||||
| 1950 Details |
Managua Managua Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in... |
12 | ||||
| 1951 Details 1951 Amateur World Series The 1951 Amateur World Series was the 9th Amateur World Series and was unusual in several ways. First off, it was the only Amateur World Series ever held in Mexico, taking place in Mexico City. Secondly, it was the last time the Cuba national baseball team participated in and did not win an Amateur... |
 Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... |
11 | ||||
| 1952 | Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... |
13 | ||||
| 1953 | Caracas Caracas Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range... |
11 | ||||
| 1961 |  San José San José, Costa Rica San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San... |
10 | ||||
| 1965 | Cartagena de Indias |
9 | ||||
| 1969 |  Santo Domingo Santo Domingo Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River... |
11 | ||||
| 1970 | Bogotá Bogotá Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district... |
12 | ||||
| 1971 | Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... |
10 | ||||
| 1972 | Managua Managua Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in... |
16 | ||||
| 1973 | Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... |
8 | ||||
| 1973 | Managua Managua Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in... |
11 | ||||
| 1974 |  New York New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... |
9 | ||||
| 1976 | Bogotá Bogotá Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district... |
11 | ||||
| 1978 Details 1978 Amateur World Series The 1978 Baseball World Cup took place in Italy and was won by Cuba.There were 11 participating countries. It was also Belgium's and Australia's first World Cup.-References:*... |
 Rome Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... |
11 | ||||
| 1980 Details 1980 Amateur World Series The 1980 Amateur World Series was held in Japan from August 22 to September 5.-Standings:-References:*... |
 Tokyo Tokyo , ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family... |
12 | ||||
| 1982 Details 1982 Amateur World Series The 1982 Amateur World Series was held in South Korea from September 4 to September 14.-Standings:-Awards:The IBAF announced the following awards at the completion of the tournament.-References:*... |
 Seoul Seoul Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world... |
10 | ||||
| 1984 Details 1984 Amateur World Series The 1984 Amateur World Series was held in Cuba from October 14th to 28th.-Standings:-References:*... |
Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... |
13 | ||||
| 1986 Details 1986 Amateur World Series The 1986 Amateur World Series took place in the Netherlands from July 19 to August 2. Cuba defeated Korea in the final to win the tournament.- Final standings :-External links:*... |
 Amsterdam Amsterdam Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population... |
12 | ||||
| 1988 Details 1988 Baseball World Cup The 1988 Baseball World Cup took place in Italy from August 23 to September 7. Cuba defeated USA in the final to win the tournament.- Final standings :-External links:*... |
Rome Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... |
12 | ||||
| 1990 Details 1990 Baseball World Cup The 1990 Baseball World Cup took place in Canada from August 4 to 19. Cuba defeated Nicaragua in the final to win the tournament.- Final standings :-External links:*... |
 Edmonton Edmonton Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census... |
12 | ||||
| 1994 Details 1994 Baseball World Cup The 1994 Baseball World Cup took place in Nicaragua from August 3 to 14. Participating countries were split in two groups, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals. Cuba defeated South Korea in the final to win the tournament.... |
Managua Managua Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in... |
16 | ||||
| 1998 Details 1998 Baseball World Cup The 1998 Baseball World Cup took place in Italy from July 21 to August 2.Participating countries were split in two groups, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals... |
Rome Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... |
16 | ||||
| 2001 Details 2001 Baseball World Cup The XXXIV Baseball World Cup took place in Taiwan from 6 to 18 November 2001. Participating countries were split in two groups, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals.-First round:Results for Group A:# # # # # # # #... |
 Taipei Taipei Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean... |
16 | ||||
| 2003 Details 2003 Baseball World Cup The XXXV Baseball World Cup was in Cuba from 12 to 25 October 2003. Participating countries were split in two groups, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals.-First round:Results for Group A:# # # # # # #... |
Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... |
16 | ||||
| 2005 Details 2005 Baseball World Cup The XXXVI Baseball World Cup took place in the Netherlands cities of Rotterdam, Haarlem, Almere, Amsterdam and Eindhoven September 2–17, 2005. Countries were split into two groups of nine, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals.... |
Rotterdam Rotterdam Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre... |
18 | ||||
| 2007 Details 2007 Baseball World Cup The XXXVII International Baseball Federation Baseball World Cup was held in the Republic of China from November 6 through November 18, 2007. Four stadiums hosted... |
Taipei Taipei Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean... |
16 | ||||
| 2009 Details 2009 Baseball World Cup The 2009 Baseball World Cup was an international baseball tournament that started on 9 September 2009. The final was held in Nettuno, Italy on 27 September 2009. It was the 38th time the World Cup took place, and the first time that it was hosted by a continent rather than a single country... |
Nettuno Nettuno Nettuno is a town and comune of the province of Rome in the Lazio region of central Italy, 60 kilometers south of Rome. It is named in honour of the Roman god Neptune... |
22 | ||||
| 2011 Details 2011 Baseball World Cup The 2011 Baseball World Cup was an international baseball tournament held from October 1 to October 15, 2011. It was the 39th Baseball World Cup. The International Baseball Federation selected Panama to host the tournament, turning down bids from Chinese Taipei and Venezuela... |
 Panama City Panama City Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the... |
16 |
Medal table
| Rank | Country | Gold  |
Silver  |
Bronze  |
Total  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 31 | |
| 2 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 15 | |
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | |
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
| 5 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 8 | |
| 6 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 9 | |
| 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | |
| 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 10 | |
| 11 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | |
| 12 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | |
| 13 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| 14 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
See also
- Women's Baseball World CupWomen's Baseball World CupThe Women's Baseball World Cup is an international tournament in which national women's baseball teams from around the world compete. It is sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation...
- World Baseball ClassicWorld Baseball ClassicThe World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world...
- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (baseball)The Intercontinental Cup is a baseball tournament between the members of the International Baseball Federation . It was first held in 1973 in Italy, and was held every other year following until 1999....
(International Baseball Federation (IBAF)) - Baseball at the Summer OlympicsBaseball at the Summer OlympicsBaseball at the Summer Olympics had its unofficial debut at the 1904 Summer Games and its official sport at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Baseball has a long history as an exhibition/demonstration sport in the Olympics. However, for 1992 Barcelona the International Olympic Committee granted the sport...
- Baseball awardsBaseball awardsProfessional baseball leagues and amateur-baseball organizations around the world, various sportswriting associations, and other interested groups confer awards on various baseball teams, players, managers, coaches, executives, broadcasters, and writers for excellence in achievement, sportsmanship,...
- World Cup (all sports)