As expected, Cuba takes home the gold in the inaugural Baseball5 World Cup. Hosted in Mexico, Cuba’s team, pioneers in this sport, dominated the tournament without a single loss throughout the competition
Excerpt from Cuban MVP Briandy Molina’s speech:
« For us, this is quite important since we are the pioneers of this discipline and we bring it to the world, » said Briandy, referring to the title win and MVP award with his Cuban teammates. « There’s nothing better than winning the Baseball5 World Cup. »
Looking at the final standings, it’s clear this sport isn’t yet widely practiced or seen as a major competitive event by baseball powerhouses like the USA, Australia, and the Netherlands. However, we do see a familiar pattern with Japan, China, Mexico, and Venezuela among the top teams. France, fresh off their European championship, held their own against these powerhouses and finished 9th overall.
Organization-wise, Mexico pulled out all the stops. The only downside was that high-quality production was reserved for the final stages. Pool play and classification matches were covered with a single central camera, no commentary, and no scoreboard, making it hard to follow. For the finals, multi-camera setups, slow-motion replays, commentary, and scoring were all in place, completely changing the viewing experience. We could truly appreciate the matches and key moments.
It’s worth noting that Cuba, China, and Japan were head and shoulders above the rest. This was especially evident in their powerful hits that often made the difference. When the ball is struck hard within the field of play, even if a defender is in position, it’s extremely difficult for them to catch and throw accurately. The Cuban batters’ swing technique, with their hand on the ball, was particularly impressive. Their aggressive base-stealing was also notable. Finally, we saw that top players performed well even when the ball was grounded.
France returns home with a 3-5 record. Their performance was mixed and frustrating, as a single run often decided their fate in crucial innings. Coach Lachcene Benhmida will review missed opportunities and defensive breakdowns with his players. However, the energy and effort were there. With this competition under their belts, the team should gain valuable experience. We must also acknowledge Ahmed Guesmia’s hand injury, which significantly hampered the team mid-tournament.
Looking ahead, France must rely on its youth. The youth competition is next (France qualifies for the Euro Baseball5 17U from November 16-19 in Bulgaria), and they should aim for a strong showing at the Youth Olympic Games (Dakar 2026). One thing’s for sure: France’s infrastructure needs to develop, and it’s up to clubs and leagues, with support from local authorities, to make this happen to improve practice and talent development.
