Mexico joined hosts Japan, South Korea and Israel in the six-nation field for next year’s Tokyo Games and earned the bronze medal at the Premier 12 tournament, which served as an Olympic qualifying tournament. The US are forced into the Americas Baseball Qualifier in Arizona in March, which determines one of the two remaining Olympic berths and gives two more teams entry into the six-nation Final Baseball Qualifier in Taipei in April, which Taiwan are in, with the winner getting the sixth and final Olympic berth. Mexico had beaten the US 8-2 in the group stage on Nov. 3 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The US got in position to play for a berth only because South Korea defeated Mexico 7-3 and Taiwan defeated Australia 5-1 in the super round. Japan and South Korea played the Premier 12 final yesterday, with Japan winning 5-3 at the Tokyo Dome.

Source: Taipei Times November 17, 2019 16:06 UTC