OTTAWA, ON – The International Baseball Federation released today the official schedule for the 2008 World Junior Baseball Championship which will take place in Edmonton from July 25th to August 3rd.
Canada is placed in Group B along with Cuba, Chinese Taipei, Italy, Puerto Rico and Czech Republic. Group A will feature the United States, Mexico, Korea, Australia, Netherlands and Russia.
The games will be played on three different diamonds. Telus Field will be the feature park with John Fry Park and neighboring town St. Albert hosting games as well.
Canada’s preliminary schedule is as follows:
· July 25th, 7:30 pm – Canada vs. Italy – Telus Field
· July 26th, 7:05 pm – Canada vs. Taipei – Telus Field
· July 27th, 3:00 pm – Canada vs. Cuba – Telus Field
· July 29th, 7:05 pm – Canada vs. Puerto Rico – Telus Field
· July 30th, 3:00 pm – Canada vs. Czech Republic – St. Albert
Crossovers and quarter-finals are scheduled for August 1st with semi-finals taking place on August 2nd and concluding with the Bronze Medal Game at 1:15 pm and the Gold Medal Game at 4:30 pm on August 3rd at Telus Field.
The championship tournament is held every two years for players aged 18 years and under and is regarded as a launching pad for players aspiring to play professionally.
Players such as Jason Bay, Adam Loewen, Matt Stairs and Larry Walker are among the more than 40 Canadians who have participated in the event before moving on to sign professional contracts.
Canada won its lone World Junior Baseball Championship in 1991, hosting the tournament in Brandon, Manitoba. For the complete schedule of the tournament, click here.
