Cuba will be back to try to defend its World Baseball Challenge title this summer in Prince George, but will have to get past the likes of the United States, Japan and Taiwan to do it.
Tournament co-chairman Jim Swanson unveiled the full field of teams on Wednesday during a media event at the Blue Jays Honda Super Camp at the Charles Jago Northern Sports Centre.
"This will be the strongest tournament we've put together yet," he said.
This summer's event marks the first time the U.S. and Cuba will compete in the WBC in the same year.
"I think everybody saw the skill of the Cubans here in 2011," Swanson said. "That was a priority for us to have them back. I think when the Cubans are here, everyone else wants to come."
Canada and the Bahamas will round out the six-team field with all games set for Prince George Citizen Field. The teams will play a full round robin, with the top four making the single-elimination playoffs.
On the advice of participating teams, organizers have moved the event from July to August this year. Canada and the United States are set to square off in the tournament opener on Aug. 13, with the championship final set for Aug. 22.
"I hope the weather is better in August than it was in July 2011," Swanson said, noting the persistent rain last time out caused some organizational headaches.
The WBC will come directly on the heels of the triple-A Peewee playoffs in Prince George from Aug. 8-11.
Doubleheaders are scheduled for every day of the tournament, with the exception of the opening day. Canada will play all of its games in the 7 p.m. evening slot. After getting started against the U.S., they will play Cuba on Aug. 15, the Bahamas on Aug. 16, Japan on Aug. 19 and Taiwan in the final round robin game on Aug. 20.
Other schedule highlights include Cuba against Taiwan in the night cap on Aug. 14 and Cuba against the United States in the 3 p.m. slot on Aug. 20.
Swanson said the process for picking the roster for the home team is still in development but he expects to see some of the top players from last summer's Canadian senior championship back on the field.
"If the best players from that tournament played in this tournament, I think it would be a very strong group to put out there," he said. "That Axemen team we put out there that won the nationals last year I think would be a competitive team in this. Would they be a championship team? Probably not, but that was a very good team we put on the field."
Rosters for the other participating countries will be announced closer to the event.
The first two WBC events plus last year's senior national championship have generated more than $6 million economic benefit to the community, according to Swanson.
"That's significant," he said. "To have an event run purely with volunteers, there's not a cent in wages spent, it's pure grassroots . . . I think it's win-win for everybody."
Baseball B.C. executive director David Laing said the tournament will have benefits beyond just those found in Prince George.
"The fact that we can hold an event like this within our province and our borders for youth is instrumental for the development of the sport province-wide," he said. "I know it's going to be another great event because of the host committee's strength and it makes the sport a better sport in our province."
Among the tangible benefits Lang said the tournament has created over the years are the skills camps, which have come through the community in conjunction with the tournament.
"Those kids that where here in 2009 are now the core makeup of this Peewee triple-A team which will be hosting the provincial championships," he said.
The schedule released Wednesday is still considered tentative and could be revised due to teams travel plans coming into Prince George.
Tournament passes will be on sale through Ticketmaster as of Monday, ranging from $199 for designated seating in the main grandstand to $150 for rush seating. Single-game tickets and family passes will be available later.
Swanson said he thinks the tournament can exceed the 24,300 people who came out in 2011.
"We think we can top 30,000 or 35,000 even as an outside goal," he said. "That will put the tournament in very good shape as it continues to move forward."
