United States national baseball team
Updated: Wikipedia source
The United States national baseball team, also known as Team USA, represents the United States in international baseball competitions. The team is currently ranked 3rd in the world by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. The team won the Olympic baseball tournament in 2000, and the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in 2017. The United States national team debuted at the first Baseball World Cup (originally the Amateur World Series) in 1938. The tournament, which was the premier level of international baseball for most of its existence until it was discontinued in 2011, was won by the U.S. four times. The United States has participated in every baseball tournament at the Summer Olympics, and won its first Olympic gold at the 2000 Olympic Games. The United States was an inaugural member of the World Baseball Classic, making its debut in the first edition. In their first three appearances in the WBC, the best finish for the Americans was fourth place in 2009. In 2017, the team won the WBC title for the first time by defeating Puerto Rico in the championship game. Team USA reached the championship again in 2023, but lost to Japan in the championship game by a score of 3-2. The United States qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics by winning the eight-team Americas Qualifying Event in June 2021. In the Olympic competition, held in Tokyo in July and August 2021, the team won the silver medal, losing to hosts Japan in the gold medal game. The team is governed by USA Baseball, and its headquarters/training facilities are located in Cary, North Carolina. Along with the professional national team, USA Baseball also fields Collegiate, 18U, 15U, and 12U National baseball teams. The performances of all of the teams contribute to the WBSC ranking of the US National team through various tournaments hosted by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. Throughout the years, many high-level players have been developed by USA Baseball and have played on the national team before becoming professional players. Many players who are currently playing in Major League Baseball have also played for the team in the World Baseball Classic and Olympic baseball tournaments. Team USA will compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March 2026.