July 29, 2021

Baseball Canada

OTTAWA – The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) along with the Sarasota-Bradenton Local Organizing Committee and USA Baseball announced today the postponement of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida, to 2022 due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic both domestically and internationally.

The event had been scheduled to take place in Sarasota and Bradenton from September 10-19, 2021.

Official dates for the event in 2022 will be announced at a later date.

“As we continue to monitor the global COVID-19 pandemic, the WBSC, as well as our hosts and all concerned stakeholders, consider the rescheduling of the U-18 Baseball World Cup to 2022 to be the best and safest course of action,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari in a statement.

“While today’s decision is disappointing, it is taken with the safety of all participants in mind. I am confident that our U.S. hosts next year will be able to deliver a fantastic U-18 Baseball World Cup, where fans can fill the stadiums and cheer on their favourite National Teams, building upon the wave of momentum for our sport following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“The WBSC thanks the local authorities, USA Baseball, and the cities of Bradenton and Sarasota for their support and collaboration.”

Baseball Canada was preparing to send a team to the event in September but given the circumstances around the health and safety of all participants, is supportive of the decision to postpone.