28/09/2024 2 Minute Read

Cuba and Italy to compete for WBSC Blind Baseball International Cup Title

The defending champions defeated Pakistan in a thrilling extra-inning semifinal. Cuba shut out the hosts, Great Britain, in the other semi. The final will start at 11:30 (Local time) and will be streamed live on the WBSC YouTube channel.

Cuba and Italy will compete for the WBSC International Blind Baseball Cup 2024 title on Sunday, September 29, at the National Baseball and Softball Complex at Farnham Park in Buckinghamshire, England, just outside London.

Italy and Cuba finished the Opening Round tied in first place. The head-to-head resulted in a tie, so Cuba was awarded first place because of a better Team Quality Balance (TQB, runs scored / innings played at bat) – (runs allowed / innings playing on defence.)

Italy, the defending European Champions and the winners of the inaugural WBSC International Blind Baseball Cup, defeated Pakistan in a thrilling semifinal (2-0). Cuba overcame Great Britain (5-0)

Tournament Links

Italy edged past Pakistan in the first semifinal, winning 2-0 in extra innings in a game dominated by both sides' fielding.

Both teams completed a double play each in the lead up to the dramatic finale.

Fabio Tromboni singled with runners placed on second and third and scored Giuseppe Tocco to break the deadlock before scoring himself with two outs.

The Italian double play in the bottom of the sixth ended Pakistan’s effort and sent the Azzurri to the final.

Italy v Pakistan during the WBSC Blind Baseball International Cup at Farnham Park National Baseball & Softball Complex, Beaconsfield Road Slough, England

Cuba proved too strong for Great Britain in the second semifinal. In Sunday's final, they will meet defending champions Italy.

The Cuban offence made a difference in the 5-0 win, setting up a mouth-watering clash for the Gold medal between two sides that finished 6-6 in a tied group game on Friday.

Maikel Sanchez starred for the impressive Cubans with three hits, supported by Maikel Ruiz and Yaniel Torres, who had four hits between them.

The hosts reached the semifinal with a dramatic 7-6 win over the USA, with Ray Clements’ single-scoring Albert Hayles.

Clements, Hayles and Matt Cliff were dominant with the bat in hand with 11 hits and four RBI between them.

ROCKER-DAVIES-MEDIA-WBSC Blind Baseball International Cup-6904

In the placement games, the Netherlands showed some form and claimed 7th place with a 9-0 win over Hungary.

“We had a difficult start to the tournament with players feeling very nervous, and then we faced the hard-hitting Cubans,” said Jack Heuts, manager of the Netherlands. “We had an excellent game in a loss against the Italians, but it was fantastic for the players to end on a high with a good win.”

The USA made up for their disappointment of the loss to GB with a 7-2 victory over China to claim 5th place.