America’s 2020 Olympic Qualifier Schedule Released

Image credit: Bobby Dalbec (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

Team USA now knows it’s path to the Olympics.

The World Baseball-Softball Confederation announced the schedule and sites for the America’s qualifier in Arizona on Thursday. The winner of the qualifier will receive a berth to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Team USA was placed in Group A with the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico. The Americans open against Nicaragua on March 22 at Surprise.

The eight-team tournament will be played March 22-26 in Surprise and Tempe. Group play will be held March 22-24 at the two sites, while the Super Round will be played March 25-26 in Surprise.

The team with the best record in the final standings will advance to the 2020 Tokyo Games. The second and third place teams will advance to a last-chance Olympic qualifier in Taiwan.

Two open spots remain in the six-team Olympic field. Japan, South Korea, Mexico and Israel have already clinched Olympic berths. The winner of the America’s qualifier and the winner of the last-chance qualifier will receive the final two Olympic spots.

 

2020 AMERICA’S QUALIFIER

GROUP A: USA, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua

GROUP B: Cuba, Canada, Colombia, Venezuela

GROUP PLAY
(All times local)

Sunday, March 22

At Surprise
Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic, 1 p.m.
USA vs. Nicaragua at Surprise, 7 p.m.
At Tempe
Venezuela vs. Cuba 1 p.m.
Colombia vs. Canada, 7 p.m.

Monday, March 23

At Surprise
Colombia vs. Venezuela, 1 p.m.
Canada vs. Cuba, 7 p.m.
At Tempe
Nicaragua vs. Puerto Rico, 1 p.m.
Dominican Republic vs. USA, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24

At Surprise
Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic, 1 p.m.
Puerto Rico vs. USA, 7 p.m.
At Tempe
Canada vs. Venezuela, 1 p.m.
Cuba vs. Colombia, 7 p.m.

SUPER ROUND
All games at Surprise

Wednesday, March 25
Group A second place vs. Group B first place, TBA
Group B second place vs. Group A first place, TBA

Thursday, March 26
Group A second place vs. Group B second place, TBD
Group B second place vs. Group A second place, TBD