Baseball World Cup 2009

This event is organized by seven European countries and a total of twenty teams will participate. This is not the first time the contest is held on this continent, it has happened five times before.

Baseball two European powers Italy and the Netherlands will join the organization by Spain, Russia, Sweden, Germany, San Marino and the Czech Republic. The most striking of this World Cup is that this tournament has been decided to be environmentally friendly and can be called as a "green" event.

Another thing that happens for the first time the number of participants to a maximum of 20 and 3 of the application format with three rounds to determine the finalists. The first cycle begins with five four-team Group A with the top three who will qualify for the second round. The locations for the preliminary round are Barcelona (Spain), Moscow (Russia), Regensburg (Germany), Stockholm (Sweden) and Prague (Czech Republic).

These sixteen teams are divided into two pools which will compete in a round robin format in the Netherlands, Italy and San Marino. After the results Baseball Round Robin, the four best teams from each group going into the third round, hosted by Italy, a cross-over games with four teams. The two leaders after this stage, will play the final September 27, 2009.

The favorites of this tournament are North and Central America in addition to Asian teams.

Teams participating in World Cup 2009:

Group A (Prague)
1. Czech Republic
2. Australia
3. Chinese Taipei
4. Mexico

Group B (Barcelona)
1. Spain
2. Cuba
3. Puerto Rico
4. South Africa

Group C (Stockholm)
1. Sweden
2. Canada
3. Netherlands Antilles
4. South Korea

Group D (Moscow)
1. Russia
2. Britain
3. Japan
4. Nicaragua

Group E (Regensburg)
1. Germany
2. China
3. United States
4. Venezuela

Bye for second round
1. Italy
2. Netherlands

Italy to host major

The recent press conference has confirmed that Italy will be the main host of World Cup Baseball 2009. Secretary General of NOC Italian Raffaele Pagnizzi said: "My idea is that baseball has a real chance this time." It seems that this event ahead of 2009 World Cup of Baseball is a very important step towards the return of baseball on the global platform.

A successful tournament would not only boost the development of baseball in Europe, but it will prove a valuable effort for the sport back on the Olympic program to put the International Olympic Congress in Copenhagen in Denmark in the years 2009 only. You, me, and we look forward to a fantastic tournament!