Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Netherlands started the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS with impressive victories as Group A got underway on Saturday in Guadalajara and Tepic, Mexico.
In the last game of the day, world No. 4 Venezuela proved to be too good for the hosts Mexico 8-4, pushing out to a 8-0 lead before No. 2 Mexico responded with fours runs in the last three innings.
Earlier in the day in Tepic, a Sabin Ceballos homer in the top of the sixth with two outs gave world No. 8 Puerto Rico a key 1-0 win against No. 5 USA. Puerto Rican starter Jonathan Bermudez pitched four scoreless innings and was the first of seven hurlers in the game.
The opening game of the tournament was a thriller at the Estadio Panamericano in Guadalajara. Ray-Patrick Didder hit a two-out single to center right field in the bottom of the 10th to give Netherlands a key win in their opening game of the WBSC Premier12 presented by RAXUS against Panama. The Netherlands recovered from a 7-2 deficit to claim a 9-8 win in extra innings.
This is the third edition of the WBSC Premier12 after Korea won the first edition in 2015 and Japan won the second edition in 2019
Group A, from 9-14 November, starts the tournament in Guadalajara and Tepic, Mexico
Group B takes place from 13-18 November in Japan and Taiwan
Where to Watch the WBSC Premier12 2024
Day 1 starting pitchers announced as Group A managers talk team strengths, expectations for Premier12
WBSC Premier12 2024 Preview: 12 teams chase international baseball glory
Two days to go – Group A managers talk about their teams ahead of Opening Day
WBSC Premier12 2024 – By The Numbers
Premier12 to expand to 16 teams in 2027 highlighting success of WBSC’s flagship event
Colossal opening for Coloso del Pacifico in Tepic
WBSC Premier12 roster announcement tracker
World’s Top 12 nations qualified for WBSC’s flagship baseball tournament
Key links
- Tournament Website
- Schedule/Results/Live Scoring
- Where to Watch
- Live clips on X
- Videos
- Photos
- Media Guide and Official Programme
- WBSC Premier12 2024 Groups
- WBSC/KONAMI Men’s Baseball World Ranking
