Taiwan lose U-12 Asian Baseball Championship final

Defending champions Taiwan on Saturday suffered a 3-0 shutout loss to Japan in the Baseball Federation of Asia’s U-12 Asian Baseball Championship final in Hangzhou, China, missing out on a third consecutive title.

Despite the loss, Taiwan’s second-place finish secured them a berth at the 2027 U-12 Baseball World Cup, which Tainan is to host for the eighth consecutive time.

Taiwan won the U-12 Asian Baseball Championship in 2018 and 2024, and has won eight of the 12 editions of the tournament, held every two years, since it started in 2000. There was no tournament in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taiwanese players huddle together during the Baseball Federation of Asia’s Asian U-12 Baseball Championship final against Japan in Hangzhou, China, on Saturday. Taiwan lost 3-0.

Photo courtesy of the Chinese Baseball Association

In Saturday’s game, all three of Japan’s runs came as a result of errors by Taiwan. Taiwanese batters loaded the bases in the first inning, but could not capitalize and were shut out.

Three Taiwanese players won individual awards: Pan Lei for batting average (.714), pitcher Peng Yu-jui for recording two wins and Chang Yu-chi for driving in 11 runs.

Japan’s Hiroto Ishii was named Most Valuable Player.

Taiwan were undefeated in the opening round, dominating Group B last week with a 23-1 win over Hong Kong on Monday, a 3-1 victory over South Korea on Tuesday and a 22-0 shutout of Thailand on Wednesday.

In the Super Round, Japan pipped Taiwan 6-5 on Thursday, while Taiwan beat China 7-1 on Friday.

The final standings from third to eighth were South Korea, China, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Thailand.