The WBSC president sat down with World Baseball Network in Barcelona, where Spain and Italy won places in an expanded 16-team Premier12 — the tournament that will decide two of the six Olympic berths for Los Angeles 2028. He talked about the second qualifier in China, eleven world tournaments in a single year, and where the federation is looking next.
Jesús Marriaga homered and Colombia broke the game open with a five-run eighth to take the final game of the WBSC Premier12 2027 Barcelona Qualifier. Spain had already clinched. Frank Hernández was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
Giacomo Taschin struck out seven over four scoreless innings and five relievers finished the shutout as Italy beat Germany 5-0 Sunday morning to claim the final berth from the Barcelona qualifier. Italy joins host Spain in the 2027 WBSC Premier12.
The latest update to the WBSC's World Baseball Rankings incorporated the results from the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2026, the Asian Games, and the Central American and Caribbean Games.
Jose David Gómez Bolívar struck out seven over five scoreless innings and Felix Stevens drove in three runs as Spain clinched a berth in the 2027 WBSC Premier12 in front of a sellout crowd in Barcelona. Italy and Germany now meet Sunday morning for the qualifier’s final spot.
The host nation wins on a wild pitch in the tenth after Omar Hernández tied it with two outs in the eighth. Spain and Italy are both 1-0.
A three-run eighth gives the Azzurri the first win of the tournament. Germany vs. Spain is next at 1 p.m. ET.
