TAICHUNG, Taiwan- With 17 players returning from the team that captured gold at the Pan Am Games in July, the Senior National Team will open play at the inaugural WBSC Premier 12 event tomorrow against Cuba (6:30pm CST/5:30am EST).
Manager Ernie Whitt and his squad will compete in Group A along with Cuba, Italy, Netherlands, Puerto Rico and host Chinese Taipei.
Here’s all you need to know about Premier 12 and how you can follow Team Canada.
What: Premier 12 features the top 12 ranked baseball nations in the world according to the WBSC (World Baseball/Softball Confederation) who will compete for a world title where the winning team will walk away with $1 (US) million in prize money.
Who: Team Canada is made up of 25 players not currently on Major League Baseball 40-man rosters. Seventeen of the 25 players on the roster won gold with Team Canada at the Pan Am Games in July. Group B consists of Japan, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, Korea and the United States.
When: The preliminary round runs from November 8-15 at three venues in Taiwan with quarterfinals set for November 16th. Semi-final games are scheduled for November 19 and 20 in Tokyo, Japan with gold and bronze medal games to follow on November 21.
How to Watch: All Team Canada games will be shown live across Canada on Sportsnet One with replays showing later in the day.
Sportsnet ONE broadcast schedule:
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Canada vs. Cuba, 5:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 a.m. PT (Live); 3 p.m. ET / Noon PT (Replay)
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Canada vs. Puerto Rico, 5:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 a.m. PT (Live); 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (Replay)
Thursday, Nov. 12
Canada vs. Chinese Tapei, 5:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 a.m. PT (Live); 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (Replay)
Saturday, Nov. 14
Canada vs. Italy, 5:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 a.m. PT (Live); 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (Replay)
Sunday, Nov. 15
Canada vs. Netherlands, 5:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 a.m. PT (Live); 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT (Replay)
More games to be announced if Team Canada advances beyond the round robin portion of the tournament.
*Please note, fans not in the Sportsnet ONE viewing region can watch games live by visiting the Premier 12 website.
Web/Social links:
Premier 12 Website
Baseball Canada Twitter / WBSC Twitter
Baseball Canada Facebook / WBSC Facebook
Baseball Canada Instagram / WBSC Instagram
