Pinay batters in World Cup

MANILA, Philippines — With the pandemic still far from over, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) yesterday announced that the ninth Women’s Baseball World Cup will be held in Tijuana, Mexico, on Nov. 12-21 with the Philippines joining Japan and Chinese-Taipei as the Asian representatives in the 12-team competition.

Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) president Chito Loyzaga said if travel conditions allow, the national team will participate in its first-ever World Cup. He named PABA secretary-general Pepe Muñoz, PABA vice president Boy Tingzon and American coach Bill Picketts as the men in charge of getting ready for the tournament.

“The plan is to fly the women’s team to Los Angeles for a two-week training before going to Tijuana,” said Loyzaga. “We’ll have a better idea and understanding of the details of participation in the coming weeks.” Muñoz said WBSC sent PABA the notice of the World Cup yesterday. “We need to start preparing soon,” said Muñoz. “We’ll have to coordinate with PSC on the availability of Rizal Memorial for practice and study travel restrictions.” There is also the need to secure IATF clearance to resume practice.

The World Cup was initially set on Sept. 11-20 but was postponed. Japan has won the last six World Cups and carries a 30-game win streak. This year’s competing countries are Japan, Chinese-Taipei and the Philippines from Asia; Canada, Mexico, USA and Venezuela from the Americas; France from Europe; Australia from Oceania and Cuba, Dominican Republic and the Netherlands as wildcards. Mexico, France and the Philippines will make their World Cup debut.

“The WBSC is excited to have a great baseball city like Tijuana and great baseball nation like Mexico host the top event in women’s baseball,” said WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari of Italy. “I’m confident our Mexican hosts will provide the perfect stage for the best women’s baseball players in the world to compete on.”

The Philippines qualified for the World Cup by placing third behind Japan and Chinese-Taipei at the Asian Cup in Guangdong, China, last November. Former Adamson star Clariz Palma was awarded the trophy as the pitcher with the best win-loss average while teammate Whell Camral, playing third base, made it to the Mythical All-Star team. Unranked Philippines walloped Hong Kong, 12-3, and South Korea, 14-7, then beat China twice, 6-2 and 11-1, to capture the bronze medal. The Philippines bowed to Japan, 18-2, and Chinese-Taipei, 15-0. The national team was coached by Egay de los Reyes of NU with assistants Tata Empasis of NU and Jeffrey Santiago of UST. The players were Elaine and Wenchie Bacarisas, Diana Balderama, Christine Bautista, Camral, Ivy Capistrano, Mhamie de la Cruz, Nicole Estante, Lealyn Guevara, Jojielyn Lim, Erika Olfato, Palma, Mery Ann Ramos, Edna Severino, Alaiza Talisik, Esmeralda Tayag, Jennifer Singh, Sheirylou Valenzuela, Veronica Velasco and Charlotte Sales.