Every WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS Super Round team has a question to answer when the peak phase of the Premier12 starts.
Let’s go into each one.
Japan: Will the dominance continue?
The only title that Samurai Japan doesn’t hold internationally is the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup; after that, they own absolutely everything, and that started in 2019 with Premier12’s second edition.
So, now starting a new cycle, that includes the U-12 and U-18 World Cups next year, Japan has the chance to be the absolute emperor of international baseball, but first, they need to win the Premier12 third edition.
Chinese Taipei: Is it finally their moment?
Chinese Taipei is a serial WBSC events medal collector, but since 2019, they haven’t won it all since they claimed the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup that year. Japan was the only team capable of defeating them in the Opening Round, and they looked strong.
A dominant pitching staff is the team’s best asset to try to capture a title that has avoided them several times in the past five years.
Venezuela: Is the time for a historic run?
A baseball powerhouse seeking a much-needed senior title is facing a historic opportunity after surpassing the Premier12 Opening Round for the first time ever. Venezuela’s last title was in 2021, now distant, when they took it all at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup.
A well-constructed team dominated the Opening Round in Mexico and is now three games away from the Championship Game.
USA: Is the moment for the resurgence?
Not long ago USA held several WBSC World Cups, but now the only title that they hold is the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup. This Premier12 third edition looks like a great opportunity, for one of the top programmes in the world, to start a winning streak.
Despite never winning the Premier12 championship, the stars and stripes played the 2015 Premier12 Championship game, and the last time they beat Japan at the senior level was in the 2019 edition, so success is not a strange word for them at this stage.
