Final Olympic Qualifier In Taiwan Postponed Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

The World Baseball Softball Confederation announced it has postponed the final qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The qualifier, set to take place in Taiwan, was originally scheduled for April 1-5. It has been postponed until June 17-21.

In a statement, the WBSC said it was postponing the qualifier "due to player, personnel and spectator health and safety measures against the spread of the coronavirus."

There had been 39 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Taiwan through Feb. 29, according to Reuters.

Taiwan, Australia, China and the Netherlands are currently scheduled to play in the qualifier along with the second- and third-place finishers from the Americas qualifier in March. The winner of the qualifier will receive the final bid to the Tokyo Olympics.

The Americas qualifier is currently scheduled to take place March 22-27 in Arizona as planned.

Hiroto Takahashi Impresses In Relief For Japan In WBC Final

One night after Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto impressed in Japan’s semifinal victory over Mexico, another young Japanese pitcher wowed on the world stage.