The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) revealed today the official schedule of the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup, the maiden edition of this event to be played in Parana, Argentina, from 15 to 24 April.

Our Australian team will open their tournament against Singapore in the early hours of Sunday 16 April, and will face the hosts, Argentina, at 9:30AM on Monday 17 April.

(All times and dates listed in this article have been adjusted to AEST from Buenos Aires local time.)

Live streaming of the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup will be available through Gametime for a fee.

The best players from 12 teams will compete in 50 games for the title of world champion. The teams will start the tournament with a group stage (round-robin):

• Group A: Argentina, Australia, Czechia, Mexico, South Africa, Singapore
• Group B: Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Venezuela, Team WBSC*, Israel

The 30-game Opening Round will finish on 20 April with the top three finishers from each group advancing to the Super Round, while the other six teams will participate in the Placement Round.

The top two teams from the Super Round, to be played 21 to 23 April, will compete for the U-23 Men’s Softball World Champion title, while the number three and four placed teams will play for the bronze medal. The World Championship Final is scheduled on 24 April at 06:00, preceded by the Bronze Medal Game at 03:00.

Parana, the capital of Entre Rios province, and the Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium will host their second Softball World Cup. The Junior Men’s Softball World Championship 2012 was played at this venue, with Argentina claiming the first of their three World Titles in any category.

Australia’s Group Games

Head to the U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup dedicated home on the WBSC website for the full schedule, team rosters, news and more.

* Since the National Olympic Committee of Guatemala has been suspended by the International Olympic Committee, the Guatemalan athletes cannot represent their country or compete under its flag and name at international sports events. In respect of the athletes' rights to participate in the World Cup, they will compete at the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup under the WBSC flag.