World Cup History

[Mattymo]

Hi guys...I started a historical league with OOTP9 and have been manually running a Baseball World Cup beginning in 1902. It's now just after the 1907 season (Chicago Cubs, like in real life, won the World Series) and I'm ready to run the 4th Cup. I decided people may be interested, so here ya go...

[Mattymo]

Background

Beginning in 1902, the International Baseball Federation has sponsored the Baseball World Cup, consisting of countries around the world coming together to see who has the best baseball players, as well as promoting the game.

World Cups in 1902, 1904 and 1906, played prior to Spring Training, were played in the United States (Baltimore, St. Louis and Washington). Attendance rose in each World Cup, no doubt attributed to the United States’ dominance. A perfect overall record of 13-0, which includes three titles.

However, not all has been perfect. After having seven total teams in 1902 and 1904, Japan, Mexico and Dominican Republic all stayed home in 1906, unable to secure financing for the trip. The weather has been cold in February, the players out of shape, and attendance, though increasing, has remained low.

Because of these factors, the IBF decided to move the next World Cup to after the 1907 season, rather than prior to the 1908 season. Players will be in better shape and interest should be at its peak. While the 1907 Cup will be held in the United States (San Francisco), MLB will look at holding future World Cups around the globe.

1907 will still have only four teams; United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Cuba. However, the European Baseball Union has agreed to come on board for the 1909 version. It’s also expected that Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico and Venezuela will make a push to get into the IBF. In order to limit the World Cup to only eight teams, there will be a qualification round in 1908 in order to determine the World Cup teams for 1909.

A few notes about the Baseball universe:
- Historical with real players (no draft) as well as future fictional leagues
- Fictional players are allowed but I do try hard to make sure none make a large difference in the MLB
- I do manage and play out every game (Currently: Chicago Cubs) so there will be updates to this dynasty, however there will be months where nothing is mentioned
- If you see a player mentioned and want to know more about him in this universe (real or fictional), let me know and I’ll be glad to share.
- I may not be very accurate in terms of countries (Would the DR or PR be playing in a WC in 1902?)…that’s not my goal. So there will only be one Germany (not East/West), China will be China, etc. Sorry if that annoys anyone.
-all fictional players will be denoted with an *

[Mattymo]

Past Results

1902:

Qualifier:
Puerto Rico def Japan

Pool A:
United States 2-0
Puerto Rico 1-1
Cuba 0-2

Pool B:
Canada 2-0
Dominican Republic 1-1
Mexico 0-2

Semifinals:
United States 22, Dominican Republic 5
Puerto Rico 2, Canada 0

Finals:
United States 16, Puerto Rico 0

1904:

Qualifier:
Mexico def Japan

Pool A:
United States 2-0
Canada 1-1
Mexico 0-2

Pool B
Cuba 2-0
Puerto Rico 1-1
Dominican Republic 0-2

Semifinals:
United States 4, Puerto Rico 1
Cuba 4, Canada 2

Finals:
United States 2, Cuba 0

1906

Pool Play:
United States 3-0
Canada 2-1
Puerto Rico 1-2
Cuba 0-3

Finals:
United States 4, Canada 0

[Mattymo]

World Rankings (as of 10/1/1907)

1 United States
2 Canada
3 Puerto Rico
4 Cuba
5 Dominican Republic
6 Mexico
7 Japan

[Mattymo]

1907 World Cup

The United States will look to continue its dominance of the Baseball World Cup. Winners of the first three Cups, the Americans come to San Francisco with easily the best roster of the four national teams.

The Biggest question mark will be; who will be #2? Despite having more Major League players than any other team outside of the U.S., Canada has not consistently shown its prominence. After disappointing semifinal losses in 1902 and 1904 to Puerto Rico and Cuba, respectively, the Canadians came back in 1906 to beat both of those teams, their only losses coming to the Americans.

Both Cuba and Puerto Rico have been up and down. Cuba sandwiched a 2nd place finish in 1904 with winless pool performances in ’02 and ’06. Puerto Rico hasn’t had a big win since its 1902 semifinal upset of Canada.

Since there are only four teams participating, like in 1906, each team will play each other once (a total of three games). The top two from the round-robin pool play will advance to the title game.

The large question still remains; when will the mighty Americans lose their first game?

[No Pepper]

Mattymo, good luck with the Cubs and your dynasty. Who has made the United States World Cup teams? You may have explained this in other threads, but how have you gone about setting this up? Thanks and I'll be reading!

[Mattymo]

Originally Posted by No Pepper

Mattymo, good luck with the Cubs and your dynasty. Who has made the United States World Cup teams? You may have explained this in other threads, but how have you gone about setting this up? Thanks and I'll be reading!

Thanks for your interest.

I'm working on a "preview" section for the 1907 World Cup, which will highlight some of the best players on each team, as well as expectations, etc. I just haven't had a lot of time the last few days. As for USA in the past, Rube Waddell and Noodles Hahn have been there best pitchers and players like Nap Lajoie and Elmer Flick were instrumental.

Unfortunately I didn't keep player stats, as I'm more interested than the teams than the players. However, I will have small write-ups for each game, so you'll definitely get your fix of players from each team. I'm also giong to post the starting lineups for the title game.

As for setting it up, I copied my current universe and renamed it "WC1907", then released all players from teams, deleted the league and created a new one w/o financials, coaches, scouting, etc. I'm using the "real" ratings to decide who is on each team (currently- 16 batters, 9 pitchers) with previous season VORP being the tie-breaker if two players have the same overall rating. I'm also making sure each team has sufficient players at each position + backups (no teams with 15 OFs).

In order to get more players without flooding the MLB, I will be slowly implementing leagues from around the world...so in 1910, whatever country is #2 in the "World Rankings" will get its own league...as commish I will make sure ratings and financials are well below the MLB, but it will slowly improve as interest increases and the players get better. I'm also going to create "Continental Amateur leagues" for the sole purpose of getting more players. In 1909 I will create the European Amateur league, with players MOSTLY from the 6 countries (Germany, England, France, Netherlands, Scotland, Ireland) without financials and with players VERY inferior to the MLB.

I'll have the complete preview out by the weekend hopefully...

[Mattymo]

1907 World Cup Participants and Preview


Canada

Highest finish: 2nd place in 1906
Top Pitcher: SP Win Kellum (17-18, 2.32 w/Cleveland Indians in 1907)
Top Hitter: RF Bunk Congalton (.317 w/St. Louis Browns in 1907)

Outlook: After two disappointing finishes, Canada got down to business in 1906 finishing second to the Americans. It seems their problem has been looking past semifinal matchups to title tilts with the United States. Luckily for the Canadians, like in 1906, there will be no semifinals held. The Pitching staff is deep, but after Kellum, there are no true Major Leaguers. However, Ernie Ross and Alex Hardy are experienced, both professionally and internationally. The offense is led by Bunk Congalton but there isn’t much firepower compared to the Americans. CF Bill O’Neill (Boston Americans) and 1B *Tom Joly (New York Giants) are the other Major Leaguers in the lineup. The injury to C Nig Clarke (Cleveland Indians), who will miss the entire World Cup, could come back to haunt the Canadians.

Expectation: Canada needs to at least make the title game, which basically means taking care of business against Cuba and Puerto Rico. Then who knows, the United States has to lose sometime.

Cuba

Highest finish: 2nd place in 1904
Most recent: 0-3 in pool play in 1906
Top Pitcher: SP *Jose Rivera (Rookie League player in Philadelphia Phillies org.)
Top Hitter: C *Francisco Garcia (has played 415 games in Major League, spent 1907 with Brooklyn Dodgers batting .188)

Outlook: After finishing winless in pool play in 1906, the Cubans continue to have limited talent. Garcia is a legitimate Major League catcher, but 1B *Alfredo Hernandez is the only other player with Major League experience, and he played in 1 game for the White Sox in 1907. The pitching remains a huge Achilles heal, with none of their starters, Rivera, *Juan Mateo or *Antonio Davila, appearing in a game higher than Rookie level in 1907.

Expectation: There is a notable drop off in talent after the United States and Canada. The Cubans won’t admit it, but they’re playing for third place. A 1-2 pool record, and win over Puerto Rico, would suffice.

Puerto Rico

Highest finish: 2nd place in 1902
Most recent: 1-2 in pool play in 1906
Top Pitcher: SP *Julio Silva (career minor leaguer currently in New York Highlanders organization)
Top Hitter: SS *Greg Webster (career .275 hitter in 5 ML seasons. Got 9 ABs with Pittsburgh Pirates in 1907)

Outlook: According to the Puerto Ricans, they are primed for a big showing this year. Offensively they have some solid talent, with Webster and 2B *David Morales (Boston Doves) anchoring the lineup. The pitching is weak, with career reliever *Gilberto Vega being asked to start, alongside Silva, in order to make up for a huge lack of depth.

Expectation: Much like the Cubans, Puerto Rico is basically playing for third place. The Puerto Rico-Cuba matchup on Day 1 will have a lot of tension.

United States

Titles: 3 (1902-1906)
Top Pitcher: SP Eddie Plank (1906 Cy Young Award Winner, 22-2, 1.94 with Philadelphia Athletics in 1907)
Top Hitter: SS Honus Wagner (2-time NL MVP, .360/.429/.927 and 5 HRs with Pittsburgh Pirates in 1907)

Outlook: The main question for the Americans is; when will they lost their first game? It’s bound to happen sooner or later. However, don’t expect it to be this year, as the rest of the world hasn’t quite caught up. The Americans have yet to allow a run in a title game, and the most they’ve allowed in one game was 5 (to Dominican Republic in 1902), but that was a game where the Americans scored 22. This year should be no different, as the staff of Plank, Barney Pelty (Boston Americans) and Walter Johnson (Washington Senators) should be dominant. Offensively, as usual, there are a lot of top hitters with no holes in the lineup, anchored by Wagner. 1B Frank Chance (Chicago Cubs), RF Johnny Bates (Boston Doves) and C Roger Bresnahan (New York Highlanders) are also very good and accomplished hitters.

Expectation: Finish undefeated and win their fourth consecutive title. Anything less would be considered a failure.

[Mattymo]

Day 1

Puerto Rico 5, Cuba 3
W- *Julio Silva (1-0) L- *Jose Rivera (0-1)

In the first game of the 1907 World Cup, *Julio Silva struck out 10 in a complete game effort, and also added two hits, as Puerto Rico beat Cuba for the second Cup in a row on Day 1. C *Juan Cruz had three hits while CF *Ramon Mejia and RF *Juan Flores added two apiece. *Jose Rivera took the loss, allowing four earned over eight innings. CF *Jesus Perez had three hits and C *Francisco Garcia added two RBI for the Cubans.


United States 1, Canada 0
W- Eddie Plank (1-0) L- Alex Hardy (0-1)

"Gettysburg" Eddie Plank scattered 5 hits in a complete game shutout, striking out 5, as the Americans squeaked by Canada on Day 1. SS Honus Wagner singled home RF Elmer Flick in the 3rd inning for the game's lone run, which was all that Plank needed. Alex Hardy took the loss, allowing five hits and walking five in eight innings. The Canadians committed three errors, including C Larry McLean's throwing error on Flick's stolen base attempt in the 3rd inning that allowed him to get to third base.


Pool Standings after Day 1
United States 1-0
Puerto Rico 1-0
Canada 0-1
Cuba 0-1

[Mattymo]

Day 2

Canada 5, Puerto Rico 2
W- Win Kellum (1-0) L- *Juan Carlos Diaz (0-1)

Bill O'Neill, *Tom Joly and Jim Cockman had two hits apiece, and Win Kellum allowed two runs on nine hits, as Canada beat Puerto Rico to go to 1-1 in pool play. Cockman also stole two bases for the Canadians, while *Rodrigo Aranda had two hits, including a 2-run single, for Puerto Rico (1-1).

United States 3, Cuba 2
W- Barney Pelty (1-0) L- *Manny Galvan (0-1)

Al Shaw hit a pinch-hit walk-off two-run single in the bottom of the ninth as the United States (2-0) escaped what would have been the biggest upset in World Cup history. Trailing 2-1 against reliever *Manny Galvan in the ninth, Sherry Magee singled with one out. After Roger Bresnahan grounded out, moving Magee to second, Ty Cobb was hit by a pitch and Elmer Flick walked with two outs. Cobb raced home with the winning run just ahead of the throw. Cuba (0-2) scored twice in the eighth off Pelty on a *Jesus Perez RBI single and a *Francisco Garcia RBI double. Magee and Frank Chance each had two hits for the Americans.

Pool Standings after Day 2
United States 2-0
Canada 1-1
Puerto Rico 1-1
Cuba 0-2

[Mattymo]

Day 3

Canada 4, Cuba 3
W- Ed Pinnance (1-0) L- *Juan Mateo (0-1)

*Juan Mateo walked Bob Yeo with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth as Canada (2-1) escaped and inched closer towards a berth in the Title Game. Ed Pinnance allowed two earned for Canada while *Gaston Belanger had four hits. Bill O'Neill and Larry McLean had two hits apiece. Pete LePine drove in the tying run in the 7th with a pinch-hit single. *Francisco Garcia, *Francisco Gonzalez and *German Vigueras all had RBI's for Cuba, who finish 0-3 in pool play.

United States 9, Puerto Rico 1
W- Walter Johnson (1-0) L- Gilberto Vega (0-1)

The United States (3-0) broke out of its offensive funk with nine runs and eleven hits as they, along with Canada, advanced to the World Cup Title Game. Sherry Magee had 2 RBI and 4 runs scored, Johnny Bates had three hits and 2 runs scored, and Nap Lajoie had a 3-run triple. Walter Johnson allowed only one run on four hits, striking out 6. Puerto Rico, who finishes pool play 1-2, got two hits, including a double, from *Greg Webster and an RBI single from *David Morales.

Final Pool Standings
United States 3-0
Canada 2-1
Puerto Rico 1-2
Cuba 0-3

[Mattymo]

1907 World Cup Title Game

Canada vs. United States

Starting Lineups:

Canada

1. SS *Gaston Belanger (31); 4 for 10, 2 R; Buffalo (AAA); .175 in 578 career ML ABs
2. LF *Michael Foster (24); 1 for 9, 1 RBI; Nashville (AAA); 46 career ML ABs
3. RF Bunk Congalton (32); 2 for 10, 1 RBI, 1 R; St. Louis Browns; .317/.359/.383 with 59 RBI in 1907
4. C Larry McLean (26); 3 for 10, 1 R; New Britain (AA); .331 in AA, won league MVP in 1907
5. CF Bill O'Neill (27); 4 for 11, 2 RBI, 1 R; Boston Americans; .260, 1 HR, 30 RBI in 1907
6. 1B *Tom Joly (27); 3 for 6, 1 RBI, 1 R; New York Giants; .170, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 53 ABs with Giants in 1907
7. 3B Jim Cockman (34); 2 for 10; Albany (AA); .320, 1 HR, 15 RBI in AA in 1907
8. 2B *Dao-zi Lee (22); 2 for 10, 1 RBI, 1 R; Vancouver (AAA); 6 ABs in AAA in 1907, AA All-star in 1905

SP Win Kellum; 1 GS, 1-0, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K; Cleveland Indians; 17-18, 2.32 in 1907, 92-91 career ML record

United States

1. RF Elmer Flick (31); 3 for 6, 1 R; Philadelphia Phillies; .331, 77 RBI, 83 R in 1907, 2-time NL MVP
2. 2B Nap Lajoie (33); 1 for 7, 3 RBI; Philadelphia Athletics; .311, 74 RBI, 88 R in 1907, 3-time AL MVP
3. SS Honus Wagner (33); 2 for 12, 1 RBI, 1 R; Pittsburgh Pirates; .360, 5 HR, 87 RBI in 1907, 2-time NL MVP
4. 1B Frank Chance (31); 2 for 6, 1 2B; Chicago Cubs; .303, 75 RBI, 111 R in 1907
5. LF Sherry Magee (23); 4 for 9, 2 RBI, 5 R; Philadelphia Phillies; .280, 5 HR, 84 RBI in 1907
6. C Roger Bresnahan (28); 4 for 11, 2 RBI, 1 R; New York Highlanders; .315, 67 RBI, 107 R in 1907
7. CF Rube Oldring (23); 0 for 3; New York Highlanders; .304, 41 RBI, 36 SB in 1907
8. 3B Harry Lord (25); 0 for 8; Boston Americans; .283, 4 RBI, 72 RBI in 1907 Rookie season

SP Eddie Plank (32); 1 GS, 1-0, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K; Philadelphia Athletics; 22-12, 1.94 in 1907, 1906 Cy Young Award winner

[Mattymo]

Canada Shocks World, Wins World Cup
Score Twice in the Ninth, Deal US First Ever Loss

*Tom Joly still doesn't know what happened. After catching Rube Oldring's line drive with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 14th, he just fell to the ground and the rest was a blur.

"I can't believe this," said the 1B who plays for the New York Giants, "Everyone just went crazy."

Canada used a 2-run 14th inning, highlighted by Joly's RBI single, as well as some fine defensive plays to defeat the Americans, who lose for the first time in World Cup history, 3-2.

After 13 innings that saw the game stay tied 1-1, Larry McLean led off with a single off reliever Fred Beebe. After Bill O'Neill's infield single put runners on 1st and 2nd, Joly hit a pop up that SS Honus Wagner misjudged, allowing McLean to come home. A few batters later, relief pitcher Bill Magee helped his own cause with a fielders choice, just beating out the double play, allowing O'Neill to score.

However, the United States didn't go away quietly.

Charlie Malay led off the bottom of the inning with a single. However, Wagner lined the ball down the 1st base line, which Joly caught, then scampered to first base in time to double-up Malay. After Frank Chance walked and Cub teammate Matt Montgomery singled, Roger Bresnahan delivered an RBI single. That's when Magee got Oldring to line out to Joly.

"What a great feeling," said Magee, who pitched 3 innings to earn the win, "the defense was huge tonight."

Despite getting 20 hits, the Americans could not push a run across. After Rube Oldring scored in a passed ball in the 2nd inning, they went 12 innings without a run.

The Americans had a great chance in the bottom of the ninth, but Dao-Zi Lee threw out Harry Lord trying to score with one out. Canada also turned two double plays and threw out three Americans trying to steal.

Win Kellum started for Canada, allowing just one run over 10 innings. Eddie Plank matched him, allowing one run in nine innings, striking out seven.

Joly was named Outstanding Player, Kellum was named Outstanding Pitcher.

The story of the 1907 World Cup will be the fact that the Americans could not get their offense going. Despite having a lineup full of Major League stars, they had a huge difficulty scoring runs.

So long from San Francisco. We'll see you in 1908 for the first ever World Cup Qualifying round.

Canada 3, United States 2 (14)
W- Bill Magee (1-0) L- Fred Beebe (0-1)

[Mattymo]

World Cup Standings (after 1907)

1 United States
2 Canada
3 Puerto Rico
4 Cuba
5 Dominican Republic
6 Mexico
7 Japan

[Mattymo]

1908 World Cup Qualifier

Baseball has begun growing across the globe, enough that there are now 14 countries participating in the IBF World Cup. Because of the quick growth in number of participants, the first ever World Cup Qualifiers will be held in 1908, for the 1909 World Cup (held in San Juan, Puerto Rico). The goal will be to limit the field to 8 participants in 1909; 3 from Europe, 3 from North America/Caribbean and 2 from the Inter-Continental Qualifier.

European Qualifier (6 teams): England, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland

Each team plays five games in Round-Robin play. Top 3 advance to World Cup, #4 and #5 advance to the Inter-Continental Qualifier.

North America/Caribbean Qualifier (6 teams): Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States

Each team plays five games in Round-Robin play. Top 3 advance to World Cup, #4 and #5 advance to the Inter-Continental Qualifier.

Inter-Continental Qualifier (6 teams): Japan, Venezuela, Europe #4, Europe #5, NA/Carib #4, NA/Carib #5

Each team plays five games in Round-Robin play. Top 2 advance to World Cup.

[Mattymo]

European Qualifier (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Participants: England, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland

What’s on the line: Top 3 qualify for World Cup, #4 and #5 advance to Inter-Continental Qualifier

What to Watch For: Germany and England are the favorites to advance, but no team is head and shoulders above the rest. Watch out for The Netherlands, who have a deep lineup but are weak on the mound. Ireland could surprise, especially given the injury to Scotland’s top player (*Leon Finlater). France seems to be the weakest of the group and would be happy earning a spot in the Inter-Continental qualifier.

Who to Watch:

England
SP *Kieron Mounfield (Amateur)
LF Dave Brain (.243, 39 RBI w/Chicago White Sox in 1908)

France
SP *Eric Herault (Amateur)
RF *Pierre-Jean Bontemps (.280, 15 RBI in AAA in 1908)

Germany
SP Jack Katoll (former Major Leaguer; 52 career ML wins w/7 different teams)
CF Ben Koehler (6 ABs w/Chicago Cubs in 1907; 67 career ML hits)

Ireland
SP *Edward Weetman (Amateur)
C *Donal Ley (Amateur)

Netherlands
SP *Bjorn Berendsen (Amateur)
LF *Isaak van der Dusse (.279, 26 RBI w/St. Louis Cardinals in 1908

Scotland
SP *Adam Doig (Amateur)
3B Mike McCormick (.193, 20 RBI w/Brooklyn Dodgers in 1908)

[Mattymo]

North American/Caribbean Qualifier (Havana, Cuba)

Participants: Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States

What’s on the line: Top 3 qualify for World Cup, #4 and #5 advance to Inter-Continental Qualifier.

What to Watch For: The United States comes off the 1907 World Cup with something to prove after Canada’s dramatic win in the Title Game. Those teams should finish 1-2 here. The battle for 3rd will be interesting, with Puerto Rico being the favorite. However, Cuba is playing in front of the home crowd and anxious to advance. The Dominicans have been MIA from the last two World Cups and return to international competition with something to prove. Mexico gets its first look at extended competition but doesn’t appear to have the roster to compete.

Who to Watch:

Canada
SP Win Kellum (15-22, 3.22 w/Cleveland Indians in 1908; 133 career ML wins)
C Nig Clarke (.302, 32 RBI w/Cleveland Indians in 1908; .279 career ML AVG in 1447 ABs)

Cuba
SP *Jose Rivera (3-2, 2.08 in A-ball in 1908)
C *Francisco Garcia (.154, 2 HR w/Brooklyn Dodgers in 1908)

Dominican Republic
SP *Antonio Rivera (1-9, 1.79 in R-ball in 1908)
CF *Claudio Garcia (.177, 2 RBI w/Detroit Tigers in 1908)

Mexico
SP *Luis Fernandez (Amateur)
SS *Juan Enriquez (.228, 9 RBI w/New York Giants in 1908)

Puerto Rico
SP *Julio Silva (7-5, 2.03 in A-ball in 1908)
SS *Greg Webster (3 ABs w/Pittsburgh Pirates in 1908)

United States
SP Fred Beebe (27-11, 1.83 w/Chicago Cubs in 1908; 1907 Rookie of the Year)
CF Tris Speaker (.293, 1 HR, 56 RBI w/Boston Red Sox in 1908)

[Mattymo]

Day 1

European Qualifier

Germany 1, France 0
W- Jack Katoll (1-0) L- Eric Herault (0-1)

Ireland 9, Scotland 0
W- Edward Weetman (1-0) L- Adam Doig (0-1)

England 2, vs. Netherlands 1
W- Kieron Mounfield (1-0) L- Bjorn Berendsen (0-1)

Day 1 Wrap-up
Jack Katoll (GER) pitched a CG 6-hitter for Germany…*Eric Herault (FRA) only allowed 2 hits in the loss…C *Bernhard Buhle’s (GER) RBI single in the 8th was the game winner…*Edward Weetman (IRE)allowed 0 runs and 6 hits in a CG, contributing 2 RBI…1B *Rory Oultan (IRE) was 3-3…England scored twice in the ninth to beat the Dutch, the winning run coming home on a Fielders Choice by SS *Bailey Foll (ENG)…*Kieron Mounfield (ENG) allowed 1 run on 5 hits

EQ Pool Standings after Day 1
Ireland 1-0
England 1-0
Germany 1-0
Netherlands 0-1
France 0-1
Scotland 0-1

[Mattymo]

Day 1

North American/Caribbean Qualifier

Cuba 9, Dominican Republic 0
W- Juan Rivera (1-0) L- Antonio Rivera (0-1)

Canada 5, Puerto Rico 3
W-Win Kellum (1-0) L- Julio Silva (0-1)

United States 20, Mexico 4
W- Fred Beebe (1-0) L- Luis Fernandez (0-1)
HR- USA- Tris Speaker (1)

Day 1 Wrap-up:
*Juan Rivera pitched a complete game 5-hitter for Cuba…2B *Jose Escamilla went 3-4 with 3 RBI for the Cubans…C Nig Clarke (CAN) had 3 RBI, RF Bunk Congalton (CAN) was 3-4 in their win…*Julio Silva (PUR) walked 10 while taking the loss…CF Tris Speaker (USA) was 5-6 with 5 RBI, including the 1st HR in the NAQ…RF Ty Cobb, 3B Larry Gardner and LF Sherry Magee each had 4 hits for the Americans, who had 24 total hits…1B *Jorge Barron (MEX) had 3 hits.

NAQ Pool Standings after Day 1
United States 1-0
Cuba 1-0
Canada 1-0
Puerto Rico 0-1
Dominican Republic 0-1
Mexico 0-1

[Mattymo]

Day 2

European Qualifier

England (2-0) 4, Ireland (1-1) 0
W- Lester Challand (1-0) L-Jake Rushworth (0-1)

-*Lester Challand (ENG) shutout Ireland on 7 hits to help England stay unbeaten
-1B *Jay Mortimer (ENG) had 2 RBI

Netherlands (1-1) 9, France (0-2) 3
W-Jonas van Veldhuizen (1-0) L-Yves Louis (0-1)

-2B *Yannick Belt (NED) was 4 for 4 with 3 runs scored
-LF *Isaak van der Dusse (NED) was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI

Scotland (1-1) 5, Germany (1-1) 3
W-Liam MacGillivray (1-0) L-Leonhart Rumpelmeier (0-1)

-*Liam MacGillivray (SCO) allowed 2 ER in a CG effort
-SS *Kieran Scott (SCO) had a 3-run 2B in the 1st inning

EQ Standings after Day 2
England 2-0; Not a surprise, have really gotten lights out pitching so far
Ireland 1-1; The blowout of Scotland on Day 1 could help them if it comes down to tie-breakers
Netherlands 1-1; Must take care of business against weaker teams, like they did against France
Germany 1-1; Surprising loss to Scotland, Katoll can't pitch every game.
Scotland 1-1; Offense came alive in the 1st vs. Germany. They need more of that.
France 0-2; Need to pull an upset or two to even qualify for the Inter-continental qualifier