Puerto Rico win the Americas U-15 Baseball World Cup qualifiers. WBSC

Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua and Venezuela secured their places at the 2024 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup to be played in Barranquilla in August by finishing top of the standings in last weekend's qualifier in the Dominican Republic. Host Colombia also received a wildcard.

Last weekend in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico defeated the Dominican Republic in the final of the WBSC Americas qualifiers. Mexico beat Nicaragua for third place. Venezuela edged out Brazil for fifth place. Meanwhile, Colombia have received a wildcard to host the U-15 Baseball World Cup.

Puerto Rico, ranked 12th in the world, defeated hosts the Dominican Republic, ranked 9th, 5-4 in the final to become the Pan American U-15 Baseball Champions. It's an achievement that puts them ahead of the pack. And it gives them hope for the World Cup. Second-placed Mexico beat 20th-ranked Nicaragua 3-1. It was a tougher game than expected.

The top four finishers and fifth-placed Venezuela, ranked sixth in the world, qualified for the VI WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup. The tournament will be held in Barranquilla from 16-25 August. The game for fifth place was a tight affair and ended with Venezuela beating 23rd-ranked Brazil 7-5 thanks to a two-run home run by Jesus Chavez. An exciting match.

Puerto Rico raced into a quick 3-0 lead. They had to come from behind to beat the hosts, the Dominican Republic, in the final. Edward Piñeiro led the Puerto Rican attack.

He went two for three with a double and a run scored. He was one of the most outstanding players of the game. Francisco Campo led the Mexican attack, going two for three with two RBIs in a pitching duel against Nicaragua.

The final standings:

1. Puerto Rico.

2. Dominican Republic.

3. Mexico.

4. Nicaragua.

5. Venezuela.

6. Brazil.

7. Bahamas.

8. Cuba.

9. Panama.

10. Team WBSC.

11. Argentina.

12. Peru. 

The WBSC has announced that Colombia, the 13th-ranked team in the world, have been awarded a wild card to host the 2024 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup.


Qualification for the 2024 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup:

-Africa (1): South Africa is ranked 34th.

-The Americas (5): Mexico 2nd, Venezuela 6th, Dominican Republic 9th, Puerto Rico 12th and Nicaragua 20th.

-Asia (2): Japan 1st and Chinese Taipei 5th. 

-Europe (2): Netherlands 7th and Italy 14th

-Oceania (1): Guam is ranked 33rd. 

-Host nation (1): Colombia is ranked 13th.