Guardian

THE International Baseball Federation (IBAF) has drawn Nigeria in Group B of the forthcoming second 12U Baseball World Cup in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei from July 18 to 28, 2013.

Nigeria was drawn alongside U.S.A., Venezuela, Brazil, Korea, Panama, Russia, and Pakistan, while Group A has the host Chinese Taipei, Mexico, Japan, Italy, Colombia, Czech Republic, India, and Hong Kong

It is the first time in the event’s history that the United States, Colombia, Czech Republic, India, Panama, Nigeria, Russia and Pakistan are competing in an IBAF 12U Baseball World Cup.

Teams are scheduled to arrive on July 16. The first round from July 18 to 25 (rest day on July 23) would be decided on a round robin basis, with the top four teams of each pool advancing to the quarter-finals.

The quarterfinal and semi-finals are scheduled for July 26 and 27 with the Gold Medal Game and the Bronze Medal Game to be played on July 28.

Chinese Taipei won the inaugural edition of the IBAF 12U Baseball World Cup in 2011, which also was played in Taipei City, beating Cuba in a thrilling championship game.

Venezuela, Mexico and Japan completed the top five. Brazil, Korea, Italy, Philippines, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Lithuania also participated.

Matches at the second IBAF 12U Baseball World Cup will be played at Tien Mou Stadium, Youth Park and Shing-Sheng Stadium in Taipei City.

IBAF says the use of the curveball would be permitted at the tournament following a decision by the executive board earlier this year.

Reacting to the draw, the Secretary General of Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA), Kehinde Laniyan said the manner in which events are unfolding have shown that Nigeria has come of age in baseball, adding that Nigeria is ready to face the world.

“We are ready and I can promise that we will do Africa proud,” he enthused.