WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
Unlike the World Series, the World Baseball Classic is open to countries from around the world. The event was founded in 2006 and takes place every four years.
It was created partly as a reaction to baseball being dropped from the Olympic schedule. The format allows the best players from around the world to compete against each other.
WBSC PREMIER 12 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Angling for a piece of international baseball action is the WBSC Premier 12. Held every four years, it brings together the 12 best national teams in the world. South Korea, United States, Mexico and Japan are amongst the teams that feature regularly.
OLYMPIC BASEBALL
It would be fair to say that the International Olympic Committee has blown hot and cold about the addition of baseball at the Olympic Games.
Baseball featured in 1904, was an exhibition game in 1912, returned from 1992 to 2008 and was then dropped again. It was back for the 2020 Games, but will be omitted from the 2024 edition.
CARIBBEAN SERIES
If your idea of a dream holiday is a mix of baseball and Caribbean beaches, then make sure you head to the tropics in February for the annual baseball bonanza that is the Caribbean Series.
Dominated by the Dominican Republic, this competition brings together all the best teams in the Caribbean.
NIPPON PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE
Although soccer is on the rise in Japan, baseball is still the country’s most popular sport. Nippon Professional Baseball is the highest league level of baseball in the country.
Often called Puro Yaky, the league consists of 12 teams. The Yomiuri Giants have won the title more than any other team. Many ex-pat players compete in the league.
KBO LEAGUE
The Korea Baseball Organization was founded in 1982, with six franchises. It now has ten.
Each team plays 144 games in the regular season which culminates with the KBO Korean Series. Baseball in South Korea is one of the most popular sports in the country.