CARY, N.C. – Following the successful completion of the inaugural National Team Championships North Carolina in August, USA Baseball has shifted its focus to 2021 programming. Next year’s calendar is set to include 2021 Olympic Games qualifying opportunities and hosting the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, as well as numerous national team identification events throughout the country.
The National Team Championships North Carolina marked the final event of 2020 as the 15U and Women’s National Team Trials will not be held this year. Both the 15U and Women’s National Team programs were set to compete in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup and Women’s Baseball World Cup, respectively; however, the events were postponed due to COVID-19. Additionally, no regional identification events for the 2021 USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup will be held in 2020.
“We are looking forward to a full slate of USA Baseball programming in 2021, including opportunities to qualify for the Olympic Games, compete for world championships and earn a gold medal on our home turf at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Florida,” said USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler. “This year, while challenging, has given us a chance to learn and develop as an organization and we are excited for the opportunities presented to us to get back into action in 2021 and continue developing young athletes both on and off the field.”
A full schedule of USA Baseball’s 2021 events and national team programming will be announced at a later date. The upcoming year will include the ninth annual National High School Invitational (NHSI), as well as the Futures Invitational, the National Team Championships in Arizona and North Carolina, and the National Team Identification Series, among others.
Next year will also feature the 2021 Olympic Games, which are currently scheduled to take place from July 23-August 8 in Tokyo, Japan. Team USA will compete for one of two remaining spots in the Olympic Games baseball tournament.
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