2019 WBSC Premier12
The 2019 WBSC Premier12 was the second edition of the flagship international baseball tournament organized by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), featuring the 12 highest-ranked national teams in a competition held from November 2 to 17, 2019, across venues in Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei.[1] Japan claimed the title by rallying from a 3–0 deficit to defeat South Korea 5–3 in the championship final at Tokyo Dome before a crowd of 44,960, with Tetsuto Yamada's three-run home run in the second inning proving decisive.[2] The event doubled as a qualifying tournament for the baseball competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, granting the top two finishers—Japan and South Korea—automatic berths.[1] The tournament structure included two round-robin groups of six teams each, followed by a best-of-three super round among the top three from each group and single-elimination knockout rounds for the medals.[1] Participating nations comprised Japan, South Korea, Mexico, United States, Chinese Taipei, Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba, Netherlands, and Puerto Rico, with games emphasizing high-level play among professional and top amateur players.[1] Mexico secured the bronze medal by beating the United States, while Japan's Seiya Suzuki earned Most Valuable Player honors for his contributions throughout the event.[2] The competition highlighted baseball's global competitiveness, particularly in Asia and the Americas, and drew significant attendance, underscoring the sport's enduring appeal in host regions.[2]Background and Qualification
Establishment and Purpose of the Premier12
The WBSC Premier12 was established by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) as its premier international baseball championship, with the inaugural edition announced in January 2015 and held from November 5 to 21, 2015, across venues in Taiwan and Japan.[3][4] The tournament was created following the WBSC's formation in 2013 through the merger of the International Baseball Federation and International Softball Federation, aiming to fill a gap for a high-stakes, professional-level event dedicated to baseball's elite national teams.[5] It features the 12 highest-ranked teams based on WBSC world rankings, determined prior to each edition, ensuring participation by baseball powerhouses such as Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei.[6] The primary purpose of the Premier12 is to crown a world baseball champion in a format emphasizing competitive excellence among top nations, distinct from Olympic baseball (limited by its quadrennial schedule and Olympic program status) and the MLB-dominated World Baseball Classic.[4][5] Organized biennially to sustain international momentum for the sport, it promotes global growth through substantial prize money—exceeding $5 million for the 2019 edition, a 40% increase from 2015—and by hosting in key baseball markets to attract large audiences and media coverage.[6] This structure underscores the WBSC's strategic focus on elevating baseball's profile, particularly in non-traditional regions, while providing a platform for professional and semi-professional players to compete at the highest level outside domestic leagues.[4] Unlike qualification pathways for events like the Olympics, the Premier12 prioritizes direct confrontation among ranked elites to test national team depth and tactical prowess, with outcomes influencing WBSC rankings and future event seeding.[6] Its establishment addressed criticisms of fragmented international scheduling post-IBAF era, consolidating WBSC authority to standardize elite competition and foster rivalries that drive fan engagement and sport development.[5]Qualification Criteria and Participating Nations
The qualification criteria for the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament were determined by the WBSC Men's Baseball World Rankings as of September 30, 2018, selecting the top 12 ranked national teams to ensure participation by the strongest baseball-playing nations globally. This ranking system aggregates performance data from international competitions, including the World Baseball Classic and continental championships, weighted by event prestige and recency to reflect current competitive strength. Host nations Japan and Mexico were included as they ranked within the top 12, avoiding any need for automatic qualification overrides. The selected teams represented a mix of baseball powerhouses from the Americas, Asia, and Europe, with rankings reflecting historical dominance in events like the Olympics and World Cups. No additional qualifiers or wild cards were used, prioritizing empirical ranking data over subjective invitations to maintain tournament integrity.| Rank | Nation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Japan |
| 2 | United States |
| 3 | Dominican Republic |
| 4 | Cuba |
| 5 | Venezuela |
| 6 | Mexico |
| 7 | South Korea |
| 8 | Chinese Taipei |
| 9 | Netherlands |
| 10 | Puerto Rico |
| 11 | Canada |
| 12 | Australia |
Participating Teams
Team Seeding and Rosters
The twelve teams qualified for the 2019 WBSC Premier12 based on their positions in the WBSC Men's Baseball World Rankings, which aggregate points from international competitions over a four-year cycle, emphasizing recent performances and tournament importance.[7] The top-ranked nations—Japan (No. 1), United States (No. 2), South Korea (No. 3), Chinese Taipei (No. 4), Cuba (No. 5), and Mexico (No. 6)—anchored the field, with the remaining qualifiers including the Netherlands (No. 7), Canada (No. 8), Venezuela (No. 9), Dominican Republic (No. 10), Puerto Rico (No. 11), and Australia (No. 12).[7][8] Seeding for the opening round grouped the teams into three pools of four, balanced to avoid clustering top seeds: Group A in Guadalajara, Mexico (United States, Mexico, Netherlands, Dominican Republic); Group B in Taichung, Chinese Taipei (Japan, Chinese Taipei, Venezuela, Puerto Rico); and Group C in Seoul, South Korea (South Korea, Cuba, Australia, Canada).[9][8] This distribution placed one top-four ranked team per group, with host nations Mexico and Chinese Taipei receiving home advantage in Groups A and B, respectively, while South Korea hosted Group C.[9] Each team registered a 28-man roster per WBSC regulations, consisting of 15 pitchers and 13 position players, drawn primarily from domestic professional leagues and MLB minor leagues, excluding players active in MLB postseason rosters.[10][11] Rosters were finalized and announced by national federations in October 2019, adhering to eligibility rules requiring citizenship or long-term residency, with substitutions allowed for injuries before the tournament start on November 2.[12] Full rosters, including player positions, batting/throwing hands, and birth years, were published on the official WBSC event portal.[11]Notable Players and Preparations
Seiya Suzuki of Japan earned the tournament's Most Valuable Player award, leading all players with a .478 batting average, topping the charts in hits (11) and runs batted in (9), and securing a spot on the All-World Team as an outfielder.[13][8] Ryosuke Kikuchi, also of Japan, was selected to the All-World Team at second base for his defensive contributions and timely hitting during Samurai Japan's championship run.[8] Tetsuto Yamada provided offensive firepower, including a pivotal three-run home run in the final against South Korea on November 17, 2019.[13] South Korea's pitching staff featured veterans like Kim Kwang-hyun, who anchored the rotation as the team reached the final, and starter Hyeon-jong Yang, who faced Japan's early barrage in the decisive game.[13] Mexico's Matt Clark delivered a crucial home run in the bronze medal game against the United States on November 16, 2019, helping secure third place and an Olympic qualification spot.[14] For the United States, outfielder Jo Adell, ranked as the No. 5 MLB prospect at the time, headlined a roster of young talent, contributing to upsets including a 4-3 Super Round victory over Japan on November 12, 2019; pitcher Cody Ponce also impressed with shutout innings early in the tournament.[10][15] Teams emphasized professional rosters tailored to national strengths, with Japan drawing primarily from Nippon Professional Baseball stars for depth and experience.[16] The United States selected 28 players not on MLB 40-man rosters, focusing on rising prospects during a roster announcement on October 10, 2019, to build future international competitiveness.[10] Australia conducted a 10-day training camp in Fuchu, Japan, starting in late October 2019, to acclimate to conditions ahead of Group C play in Seoul.[17] Canada finalized its 28-player roster on October 8, 2019, blending veterans and emerging talent for the Guadalajara opener.[18] These preparations underscored the tournament's role as a pre-Olympic qualifier, with nations prioritizing acclimation, intra-squad scrimmages, and logistics across host cities in Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.Tournament Format
Opening Round Structure
The Opening Round of the 2019 WBSC Premier12 served as the initial stage of the tournament, featuring all 12 qualified national teams divided equally into three groups labeled A, B, and C. Each group consisted of four teams that competed in a single round-robin format, with every team facing the other three opponents once, totaling three games per team and six games per group. This structure allowed for a compact preliminary phase emphasizing direct competition within balanced pools determined by a pre-tournament draw.[19][20] The round-robin matches were hosted across three distinct locations to accommodate international participation and logistics: Group A in Guadalajara and nearby venues in Mexico, Group B in Taoyuan, Taiwan, and Group C at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. Games commenced on November 2, 2019, and concluded by November 8, 2019, with scheduling designed to minimize travel disruptions while adhering to standard baseball rules, including nine-inning contests and tiebreaker protocols for unresolved outcomes.[10][8][17] Advancement from the Opening Round was determined by each group's final standings, ranked primarily by win-loss record. The top two teams from each group qualified for the subsequent Super Round, yielding six advancing nations; tiebreakers, if required, prioritized head-to-head results, run differential, and runs allowed, ensuring merit-based progression without automatic byes or cross-group considerations. This format prioritized efficiency and competitiveness, as lower-seeded or host teams faced immediate elimination risks based on performance alone.[19][20]Super Round Mechanics
The Super Round consisted of the top two teams from each of the three Opening Round groups, resulting in six competing nations. These teams participated in a single round-robin format, with each playing the other five opponents once over five game days from November 11 to 16, 2019, at Tokyo Dome.[19][21] Head-to-head results from the Opening Round between the two advancing teams from the same group were carried forward and incorporated into Super Round standings, while matchups between teams from different groups began anew. This structure yielded a total record of up to six games per team for final placement determination. Standings were ranked by win-loss percentage, with the top two teams qualifying for the championship final on November 17.[21][20] In cases of ties, resolution prioritized head-to-head outcomes among tied teams, followed by criteria such as run differential across relevant games, consistent with WBSC tournament protocols for international baseball events. No mercy rule applied beyond standard nine-inning regulations, though extra innings used international tiebreaker rules starting in the 11th frame with runners placed on first and second base.[22]Finals Determination
The Super Round advanced the top two teams from each of the three opening round groups, resulting in six nations competing in a single round-robin format from November 11 to 16, 2019, at venues including ZOZO Marine Stadium and Tokyo Dome in Japan.[21][19] Each team played the other five once, with standings determined by win-loss record (or winning percentage for incomplete schedules).[23] Tiebreaker criteria, as outlined in WBSC tournament regulations, prioritized head-to-head results between tied teams, followed by run differential across all Super Round games, runs scored, and runs allowed if further resolution was required.[24] The two highest-ranked teams at the conclusion of the Super Round advanced directly to a one-game championship final on November 17, 2019, at Tokyo Dome, with the winner crowned Premier12 champion.[19][23] This structure ensured the finalists were the strongest performers in the final competitive phase, without semifinals or additional playoffs.[1] In the 2019 edition, Japan secured first place with a 5-0 Super Round record, while South Korea finished second at 4-1, advancing them to the final where Japan prevailed 5-3.[1] Third and fourth places were awarded based on Super Round standings to Mexico (3-2) and the United States (3-2, resolved by tiebreaker), respectively, though these did not impact final qualification.[1]Venues and Logistics
Host Countries and Stadiums
The 2019 WBSC Premier12 featured opening round games across three host countries: Mexico, Chinese Taipei, and South Korea.[9] Group A matches were held at Estadio de Béisbol Charros de Jalisco in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, from November 2 to 5.[25] Group B took place at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Chinese Taipei, during the same dates.[25] Group C games occurred at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, also November 2 to 5.[8] The Super Round, involving the top two teams from each opening group, was hosted in Japan from November 9 to 12, primarily at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba.[26] Some Super Round contests were also scheduled at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.[27] The finals, including the bronze medal game on November 16 and the championship on November 17, were contested exclusively at Tokyo Dome.[28]| Stage | Host Country | Primary Stadium(s) | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Round Group A | Mexico | Estadio de Béisbol Charros de Jalisco, Zapopan | November 2–5 |
| Opening Round Group B | Chinese Taipei | Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, Taichung | November 2–5 |
| Opening Round Group C | South Korea | Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul | November 2–5 |
| Super Round | Japan | ZOZO Marine Stadium, Chiba; Tokyo Dome, Tokyo | November 9–12 |
| Finals | Japan | Tokyo Dome, Tokyo | November 16–17 |
Schedule and Broadcast Details
The 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament spanned from November 2 to 17, 2019, across host nations Mexico, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, and Japan.[24] The opening round occurred November 2–5, featuring concurrent group stage play: Group A at Guadalajara's Panamericano Baseball Stadium in Mexico, Group B at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Chinese Taipei, and Group C at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome in South Korea.[24] Following a brief interval, the super round ran November 9–13 at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba, Japan, involving the top two teams from each opening round group in a round-robin format.[26] The finals, including semifinal matchups on November 15, the bronze medal game on November 16, and the gold medal game on November 17, were contested at Tokyo Dome in Japan.[24] Broadcast coverage was secured through a network of regional partners to maximize global reach, with the WBSC anticipating record viewership surpassing the 2015 edition.[29] In Latin America, Claro Sports aired games across Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.[30] Additional Latin American outlets included CBC in Canada, Tele Rebelde in Cuba, CDN Sportmax and Canal 6 GDL in the Dominican Republic and Mexico respectively, MegaTV in Puerto Rico, and TeleTuya in Venezuela.[30] In Asia, TBS, TV Asahi, J Sports, and SportsNavi broadcast in Japan; SBS in South Korea; and VideoLand in Taiwan.[30] European audiences accessed coverage via the Olympic Channel, with Eleven Sports serving Italy and Portugal, and NOS in the Netherlands.[30] In Oceania, Fox Sports handled Australian broadcasts.[30] For the United States, select games streamed on Facebook, while territories outside listed partners received free access on the WBSC's YouTube channel; the Olympic Channel also streamed select matches globally, subject to restrictions.[30][19] Mobile and web streaming was available via the GameTime app and Gametime.sport platform.[30] Post-event, the WBSC launched a "Premier12 Replay Series" on YouTube starting February 2020, restreaming games per the original schedule.[31]Opening Round
Group A Matches and Outcomes
Group A was contested in Guadalajara, Mexico, at Estadio de Béisbol Charros de Jalisco, featuring the national teams of the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United States from November 2 to 5, 2019.[24] The top two teams advanced to the Super Round in Tokyo. Mexico topped the group with a perfect 3–0 record, securing first place via a +10 run differential, while the United States finished second at 2–1. The Dominican Republic placed third with a 1–2 mark, and the Netherlands went 0–3.[32] The opening match on November 2 saw the United States defeat the Netherlands 9–0, powered by four home runs from Tyler Wade, Jo Adell, Bobby Dalbec, and Brent Rooker, with pitching holding the Dutch to five hits.[33] On November 3, Mexico edged the Dominican Republic 6–1 in a rain-shortened game after six innings, highlighted by a grand slam from Alex Quiroz that capped a five-run fourth inning.[34] Later that day, the Dominican Republic routed the Netherlands 14–4 in a seven-inning contest shortened by cold weather, with the Dominicans exploding for nine runs in the sixth.[32] Mexico maintained its unbeaten streak on November 4, beating the United States 8–2 behind strong offensive output and effective relief pitching that limited USA's comeback attempts after an early 2–0 lead.[35] The United States responded on November 5 by defeating the Dominican Republic 9–3, scoring nine runs including key rallies in the middle innings to clinch advancement, with Wilson Ramos and Travis Jankowski contributing multi-hit performances.[36]| Team | W | L | PCT | RF | RA | RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 20 | 4 | +16 |
| United States | 2 | 1 | .667 | 20 | 11 | +9 |
| Dominican Republic | 1 | 2 | .333 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 0 | 3 | .000 | 8 | 33 | -25 |
Group B Matches and Outcomes
Group B of the opening round took place at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan, from November 5 to 7, 2019, and included host nation Chinese Taipei, Japan, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.[38][32] The four teams competed in a single round-robin format, with each playing three games; the top two advanced to the Super Round.[37] The opening matches on November 5 saw Japan defeat Venezuela 8–4, with strong offensive contributions securing an early win, while Chinese Taipei overcame Puerto Rico 6–1.[32] On November 6, Chinese Taipei shut out Venezuela 3–0, clinching their berth in the Super Round with pitcher Liao Yi-chung earning the victory.[39] Japan followed with a 4–0 shutout of Puerto Rico, maintaining their perfect record.[40] The final day on November 7 featured Japan topping Chinese Taipei 8–1, highlighted by Seiya Suzuki's two-run homer in the third inning that extended the lead to 4–0 before Chinese Taipei's lone run.[41][42] Venezuela closed out the group with a 7–1 victory over Puerto Rico, recording 16 hits in the contest.[40][43]| Rank | Team | W-L | PCT | RA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 3-0 | 1.000 | 5 |
| 2 | Chinese Taipei | 2-1 | .667 | 9 |
| 3 | Venezuela | 1-2 | .333 | 12 |
| 4 | Puerto Rico | 0-3 | .000 | 17 |
Group C Matches and Outcomes
Group C of the Opening Round featured Australia, Canada, Cuba, and South Korea, with all matches played at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, from November 6 to 8, 2019.[21][17] The group stage consisted of a full round-robin format, where each team played the others once. South Korea dominated, securing advancement to the Super Round with a perfect 3–0 record. Australia advanced as the second qualifier via tiebreaker after finishing 1–2 alongside Canada and Cuba; the tiebreaker utilized team-quality balance, with Australia's +0.064 edging out Canada's +0.046 and Cuba's -0.102.[21][44] Key matches unfolded as follows:| Date | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
| November 6 | Canada vs. Cuba | 3–0 |
| November 6 | South Korea vs. Australia | 5–0 |
| November 7 | South Korea vs. Canada | 3–1 |
| November 7 | Cuba vs. Australia | 3–2 |
| November 8 | South Korea vs. Cuba | 7–0 |
| November 8 | Australia vs. Canada | 3–1 |
Super Round
Qualification and Round-Robin Results
The top two teams from each of the three opening round groups advanced to the Super Round: Mexico and the United States from Group A, Japan and Chinese Taipei from Group B, and South Korea and Australia from Group C.[26] Mexico, Japan, and South Korea won their respective groups with 3–0 records, while the United States, Chinese Taipei, and Australia finished second with 2–1 records.[37] Qualifiers carried forward their head-to-head result from the opening round against the other team from their group into the Super Round, giving the group winners an initial 1–0 advantage: Mexico defeated the United States 11–3, Japan defeated Chinese Taipei 4–0, and South Korea defeated Australia 7–1.[26] The Super Round featured a round-robin format from November 11 to 15, 2019, at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba and Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, with each team playing the four qualifiers from the other groups.[26] Notable results included the United States' 4–3 upset victory over Japan on November 12, Mexico's 5–4 win over South Korea on November 13, and Australia's 2–1 defeat of the United States on November 14. The final Super Round standings, incorporating the carried-over results for a total of five games per team, determined advancement: Japan topped the table despite a single loss, advancing directly to the gold medal game; South Korea edged Mexico for the second finals spot via tiebreaker criteria including head-to-head result in the Super Round; the United States secured fourth place over Chinese Taipei and Australia via tiebreakers, setting up the bronze medal matchup.[37]| Rank | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 4 | 1 | .800 | — |
| 2 | South Korea | 3 | 2 | .600 | 1 |
| 3 | Mexico | 3 | 2 | .600 | 1 |
| 4 | United States | 2 | 3 | .400 | 2 |
| 5 | Chinese Taipei | 2 | 3 | .400 | 2 |
| 6 | Australia | 1 | 4 | .200 | 3 |
Key Performances and Advancements
Japan dominated the Super Round with a 4-1 record, securing the top seed and direct advancement to the championship final through clutch offensive contributions from outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who recorded multiple multi-hit games, including a game-winning double against Australia on November 11 and key hits in the 10-8 victory over South Korea on November 16.[40] Suzuki's consistent production, alongside strong pitching from starters like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, propelled Japan past rivals, culminating in their undefeated run against top contenders except for a narrow 4-3 loss to the United States.[16] South Korea earned second place with a 3-2 mark, advancing to the gold medal game via tiebreaker over Mexico after a decisive 7-3 win on November 15, highlighted by pitcher Hyeon-jong Yang's effective outings and timely hitting that limited opponents' scoring.[40] The team's resilience was evident in their 5-1 opening Super Round victory over the USA, though a 7-0 shutout loss to Chinese Taipei exposed vulnerabilities against precise pitching.[40]| Team | Wins-Losses | Advancement |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 4-1 | Gold medal final |
| South Korea | 3-2 | Gold medal final |
| Mexico | 3-2 | Bronze medal game |
| United States | 2-3 | Bronze medal game |
| Chinese Taipei | 2-3 | Eliminated |
| Australia | 1-4 | Eliminated |
Finals
Bronze Medal Game
The bronze medal game of the 2019 WBSC Premier12 was held on November 17, 2019, at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, pitting Mexico against the United States.[48] The contest doubled as a qualifier for the final Americas berth in the baseball event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with the winner advancing alongside Cuba, which had secured qualification via WBSC world rankings.[49] Both teams had reached this stage after losses in the semifinals: Mexico fell to Japan 8–2, while the United States was defeated by South Korea 3–0.[50] Mexico claimed the bronze with a 3–2 victory in ten innings.[48] Cody Ponce started for the United States, allowing one run over five innings with five strikeouts, while Arturo Reyes opened for Mexico, surrendering two runs in six innings.[48] [51] The United States struck first in the top of the first with a solo home run by Jordon Adell, who finished with two hits and one RBI.[48] They extended the lead to 2–0 in the seventh on a sacrifice fly. Mexico halved the deficit in the sixth but trailed entering the ninth, where Matt Clark led off with a solo home run to tie the score at 2–2; Clark ended with two hits and two RBI.[32] [48]| Inning | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
Gold Medal Game
The gold medal game of the 2019 WBSC Premier12 took place on November 17, 2019, at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, pitting top-ranked Japan against South Korea.[53][13] Japan, the host nation and world number one team, faced South Korea, who had advanced after strong performances in the super round.[13] The matchup drew a sellout crowd of 44,960 spectators.[13] Japan secured a 5–3 victory, overcoming an early deficit to claim the tournament title.[13][40] South Korea struck first, but Japan responded with timely hitting and solid pitching to rally back. Key contributions included a first-inning double by Seiya Suzuki that scored Hayato Sakamoto after his walk, providing an initial spark.[40] The game lasted three hours, highlighting competitive play between the Asian rivals.[54] Seiya Suzuki was named the tournament MVP following the game, having batted .478 with three home runs and strong defensive plays throughout the event, including standout moments like a spectacular basket catch.[13][55] This victory marked Japan's second Premier12 championship, reinforcing their dominance in international baseball at the time.[13]Results and Statistics
Final Standings and Rankings
The final standings of the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament reflected teams' overall performance across the group stages, super round, and knockout phase, with placements determined by advancement and results in the finals held on November 16–17, 2019, at Tokyo Dome. Japan claimed the championship with a dominant 7–1 record, including an 8–0 victory over South Korea in the gold medal game. South Korea finished as runners-up with a 5–3 mark after losing the final, while Mexico secured third place by defeating the United States 4–2 in the bronze medal game.[37][13] Lower rankings were assigned based on super round outcomes and group stage records for non-advancing teams, resulting in ties among several nations at seventh and tenth places. The top six teams qualified for the super round round-robin, from which the semi-finalists emerged.[37]| Rank | Team | W | L | PCT | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan (JPN) | 7 | 1 | .875 | Champions |
| 2 | South Korea (KOR) | 5 | 3 | .625 | Runner-up |
| 3 | Mexico (MEX) | 6 | 2 | .750 | Third place |
| 4 | United States (USA) | 4 | 4 | .500 | Fourth place |
| 5 | Chinese Taipei (TPE) | 4 | 3 | .571 | Eliminated in super round |
| 6 | Australia (AUS) | 2 | 5 | .286 | Eliminated in super round |
| 7 | Canada (CAN) | 1 | 2 | .333 | Tied; group stage |
| 7 | Dominican Republic (DOM) | 1 | 2 | .333 | Tied; group stage |
| 7 | Venezuela (VEN) | 1 | 2 | .333 | Tied; group stage |
| 10 | Cuba (CUB) | 1 | 2 | .333 | Tied; group stage |
| 10 | Netherlands (NED) | 0 | 3 | .000 | Tied; group stage |
| 10 | Puerto Rico (PUR) | 0 | 3 | .000 | Tied; group stage |
Aggregate Batting and Pitching Stats
The 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament encompassed 32 games across group stages, super round, and finals, yielding aggregate batting statistics that reflected a low-offense environment dominated by pitching strength. The overall batting average stood at .221, a notable decline from .267 in the 2015 edition, underscoring enhanced defensive execution and pitcher command. Hitters collectively produced 46 home runs, averaging 1.44 per game, with a concentration of 20 occurring at Charros de Jalisco Stadium during Group A play.[56] Pitching aggregates demonstrated marked improvement over prior iterations, with a tournament-wide ERA of 3.46 compared to 4.37 in 2015, indicating superior run prevention through better strikeout rates and contact suppression. Pitchers issued 448 hits across the event, or 14 per game, while amassing 553 strikeouts at a pace of 17.3 per game—an increase of 2.5 strikeouts per game from 2015's 14.9. These metrics contributed to closer contests, with 50% of games decided by three or fewer runs.[56]| Key Aggregate Statistic | Value (2019) | Comparison to 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 32 | 38 |
| Batting Average | .221 | .267 |
| ERA | 3.46 | 4.37 |
| Total Strikeouts | 553 (17.3/game) | 568 (14.9/game) |
| Total Hits Allowed | 448 (14/game) | 677 (17.8/game) |
| Total Home Runs | 46 (1.44/game) | 58 (1.53/game) |
Awards and Honors
Individual and Team Awards
Seiya Suzuki of Japan dominated individual offensive statistics, posting a tournament-leading .478 batting average over seven games with 11 hits in 23 at-bats, including two doubles, two triples, three home runs, 12 RBIs (tied for the lead), and nine runs scored; he also topped slugging percentage at 1.130 and on-base percentage at .567.[57] Chang Yi of Chinese Taipei excelled on the mound, recording two wins and a perfect 0.00 ERA in limited appearances.[57] Ukyo Shuto of Japan led in stolen bases with four.[57] Ryosuke Kikuchi of Japan was named the outstanding defensive player for his fielding contributions at second base.[57]| Category | Player | Team | Statistic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | Seiya Suzuki | Japan | .478 |
| RBIs | Seiya Suzuki | Japan | 12 |
| Runs Scored | Seiya Suzuki | Japan | 9 |
| Slugging Percentage | Seiya Suzuki | Japan | 1.130 |
| On-Base Percentage | Seiya Suzuki | Japan | .567 |
| Home Runs (tied) | Seiya Suzuki | Japan | 3 |
| Wins (Pitching) | Chang Yi | Chinese Taipei | 2 |
| ERA (Pitching) | Chang Yi | Chinese Taipei | 0.00 |
| Stolen Bases | Ukyo Shuto | Japan | 4 |
MVP and All-Tournament Selections
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2019 WBSC Premier12 was presented to Seiya Suzuki, outfielder for Japan, who demonstrated exceptional offensive performance throughout the tournament, including a .429 batting average, multiple home runs, and leading contributions in runs batted in as recognized by the Japanese Baseball Federation.[58][8] The WBSC announced the MVP and All-World Team selections on November 17, 2019, immediately following Japan's victory in the championship final, with selections based on overall impact across pitching, fielding, and hitting during the qualification, round-robin, super round, and medal games.[58] The All-World Team comprised players from six nations, emphasizing standout performers in key positions: United States players held four spots, reflecting their strong semifinal appearance despite elimination, while Japan, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei each contributed two.[58]| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Pitcher | Chang-Yi | Chinese Taipei |
| Relief Pitcher | Brandon Dickson | United States |
| Catcher | Erik Kratz | United States |
| First Baseman | Bobby Dalbec | United States |
| Second Baseman | Ryosuke Kikuchi | Japan |
| Third Baseman | Wang Wei-chen | Chinese Taipei |
| Shortstop | Kim Ha-seong | South Korea |
| Outfielder | Seiya Suzuki | Japan |
| Outfielder | Jonathan Jones | Mexico |
| Outfielder | Lee Jung-hoo | South Korea |
| Designated Hitter | Brent Rooker | United States |
Prize Money
Distribution Breakdown
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) distributed a total of $5,210,000 in prize money to the 12 participating teams in the 2019 Premier12, representing a 40% increase from the 2015 edition.[59] Allocations combined fixed amounts based on final standings with performance-based bonuses, including $10,000 per win in the opening round, $20,000 for each opening round group winner, and $20,000 per win in the super round.[59] Per WBSC guidelines, at least 50% of each team's total prize money was mandated to be shared equally among the 28 players on the active roster.[59] The detailed breakdown by team is as follows:| Team | Standings Prize | Opening Round Bonuses | Group Winner Bonus | Super Round Bonuses | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $1,500,000 | $30,000 (3 wins) | $20,000 | $60,000 (3 wins) | $1,610,000 |
| South Korea | $750,000 | $30,000 (3 wins) | $20,000 | $40,000 (2 wins) | $840,000 |
| Mexico | $500,000 | $30,000 (3 wins) | $20,000 | $40,000 (2 wins) | $590,000 |
| United States | $350,000 | $20,000 (2 wins) | - | $40,000 (2 wins) | $410,000 |
| Chinese Taipei | $300,000 | $20,000 (2 wins) | - | $40,000 (2 wins) | $360,000 |
| Australia | $250,000 | $10,000 (1 win) | - | $20,000 (1 win) | $280,000 |
| Canada | $180,000 | $10,000 (1 win) | - | - | $190,000 |
| Dominican Republic | $180,000 | $10,000 (1 win) | - | - | $190,000 |
| Venezuela | $180,000 | $10,000 (1 win) | - | - | $190,000 |
| Cuba | $180,000 | $10,000 (1 win) | - | - | $190,000 |
| Netherlands | $180,000 | - | - | - | $180,000 |
| Puerto Rico | $180,000 | - | - | - | $180,000 |