After six long years of absence, the fans of global baseball can rejoice as the World Baseball Classic is set to return in 2023 with Panama and Chinese Taipei facing off on March 8. This matchup symbolizes a renewal of the tournament that had not taken place since 2017 due to global delays e brought about by the pandemic. Now, for the first time ever, the match will be available live for television streaming viewers at 6 am EST, bringing back much anticipation from fans all around the world who are looking forward to some hard-hitting action!
The Pool B teams have their work cut out for them; not only will tournaments pit them against formidable opponents, but only two teams can move into the next level. It will be an uphill battle as all four teams fight for that coveted spot. Cuba vs Netherlands and Panama vs Chinese Taipei hold the potential to create some thrilling matchups and provide fans with a captivating display of skill and strategy. Talent runs deep within each team and these opening games offer viewers an exhilarating glimpse of what is yet to come in this group stage. With so much uncertainty swirling around the results, it’s anyone’s guess who will secure a key win and make it through to the next round.
It’s been a dream come true for Panama’s national baseball team. After suffering a few heartbreaks at the qualification stages in previous World Baseball Classics, they came out swinging to easily take down Argentina and Brazil with back-to-back decisive wins. Despite gaining recognition after a fourth place finish in the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, the Panamanian squad are determined to make this their breakthrough international tournament. The next step is the group stage where success opens up possibilities for an even greater achievement – staying in contention all the way to qualifying for the semi-finals and possibly setting a newachievement record for Panama’s most beloved national sport.
Chinese Taipei has fairly good record in international tournaments, including the World Baseball Classic, yet they found themselves struggling to make it passed the 2017 Qualifier round. In 2019, they came prepared and participated in the WSBC Premier with hopes of clearing the first round. Sadly, their efforts were not enough as they finished second in their group but didn’t make it to the Playoffs when finishing fifth overall with two wins and three losses. It was their last tournament for now until deciding upon future events or changing strategies and plans around another qualifying system.
