Cuba Defends World Title, Defeats Japan in Final of WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2016

Cuba defeated Japan, 9-4, in the world championship finale of the III WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup® before a crowd of 3,000 at Iwaki Green Stadium to retain the Caribbean nation's status as world champions in the 13- to 15-years-old youth baseball category.

World No. 5 Cuba scored five runs in the second inning and three more in the fourth inning to jump out to an early 8-0 lead over top-ranked Japan, as pitcher Livian Chaviano helped silence Japan's bats through six innings to earn the win.

First baseman Loidel Chapelli (5-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 R) powered the Cuban National Team attack against Japan and made dazzling defensive plays, including a diving play on the final out of the game. Chapelli, who batted .444 overall, was named the Most Valuable Player of the U-15 Baseball World Cup 2016.

Chaviano was named to the U-15 All-World 2016 Team, which saw representation from seven nations.

In the bronze medal final, the world No. 2 United States defeated No. 17 Panama, 8-3. With the game tied 1-1 after several defensive highlights, the U.S. offense exploded for six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Pitcher Jared Jones, who was put on the mound in the fifth inning to relieve starter Zach Martinez, was credited with the win. Shortstop Anthony Volpe (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 R) helped lead USA Baseball's attack.

Game results, box scores, final statistics and standings can be found at the official WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2016 microsite. The official media guide/program can be viewed here.

Broadcast and worldwide live-streaming coverage was expanded for the Super Round and Finals, which raised the overall potential broadcast reach to over 60,000,000 households.

Broadcast agreements were added in the Americas for the territories of Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico and the United States.

Mexico City-based AYM Sports acquired rights in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States to broadcast the U-15 Baseball World Cup 2016 to its six million LAS network subscribers in the territories.

Panama public broadcaster, Sistema Estatal de Radio y Televisión (SERTV, "State Radio and Television System"), was awarded the exclusive broadcast rights in the Central American nation. Panama's win against Chinese Taipei on 30 July was trending on Twitter in the nation.

Viewers from 192 countries and territories watched live-streaming and/or highlights of the U-15 Baseball World Cup 2016 through WBSC's official social media channels, totaling more than 2.1 million video views, with over 20 million social media impressions generated.

"SEE YOU IN 2020"

Prior to returning to their respective countries, the 240 athletes of the youth baseball world championship in Iwaki united to show their appreciation and excitement regarding the International Olympic Committee's unanimous vote last week to include baseball/softball at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The IV WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup will be played in 2018.

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