|

Shaoxing Baseball & Softball Sports Center. [Photo/China Daily]

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and the Chinese Baseball Association recently revealed that the fifth edition of the U23 Baseball World Cup will take place in the Shaoxing Baseball & Softball Sports Center in September 2024.

This marks the first time Chinese mainland has been awarded the hosting rights for the U23 Baseball World Cup, solidifying the country's position as a premier host for top-tier global baseball and softball events.

A total of eight teams have secured their spots in the competition. Apart from the host nation China, which earned a wildcard entry, the qualified teams include Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Nicaragua from the Americas; the Netherlands and the United Kingdom representing Europe, and Australia from Oceania.

The African representative will be determined through the qualification matches scheduled from Feb 21 to 27, 2024, while the remaining three slots for Asian teams will be contested in the Asian Baseball Championship.

The Shaoxing Baseball & Softball Sports Center, previously the venue for the baseball events during the Hangzhou Asian Games, boasts an impressive infrastructure. The baseball zone comprises the main stadium, a secondary venue, training facilities, and a fitness training center.

The main stadium, with a seating capacity of 5,000, can be expanded with an additional 5,000 temporary seats. The secondary venue accommodates 1,500 spectators and can be extended with an extra 1,000 temporary seats, making it the largest and most advanced baseball facility in the country.