Baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...

at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...

in Beijing

Beijing

Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...

was held from August 13 to August 23. All games were played at Wukesong Baseball Field, a temporary venue constructed at the Beijing Wukesong Culture & Sports Center

Beijing Wukesong Culture & Sports Center

The MasterCard Center is an indoor arena for the 2008 Summer Olympics basketball preliminaries and finals. Ground was broken on March 29, 2005 and construction was completed on 11 January 2008. The stadium has a capacity of 18,000 and covers an area of 63,000 square metres...

. Olympic baseball is competed by men only, while women compete in the similar sport of softball

Softball at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Softball at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing took place over a ten day period starting August 12 and culminating in the medal finals on August 21. All games were played at the Fengtai Softball Field...

.

This event may be the last baseball event contested in the Olympics history, as the International Olympic Committee

International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...

voted to remove baseball from the program in the 2012 Olympics

2012 Summer Olympics

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...

. Along with softball

Softball at the Summer Olympics

Softball was introduced as an Olympic sport for women in the 1996 Summer Olympics. On July 11, 2005, the IOC voted to drop baseball and softball from the Olympic program for 2012, a decision that was reaffirmed on February 9, 2006...

, baseball was rejected for inclusion in the 2016 Summer Olympics

2016 Summer Olympics

The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, are a major international multi-sport event to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games, as governed by the International Olympic Committee...

at the IOC's meeting in October 2009.

This was also the first time that the IBAF's new extra-inning rule was officially in effect. South Korea

South Korea

The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...

won the gold medal in a 3–2 final victory against Cuba

Cuba

The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...

Medalists

Gold	Silver	Bronze
Hyun-Jin Ryu Ki-Joo Han Jin-Man Park Hyuk Kwon Taek-Keun Lee Dae-Ho Lee Seung-Hwan Oh Jung-Keun Bong Young-Min Ko Jong-Wook Lee Lee Jong-wook (baseball) Lee Jong-wook is a South Korean outfielder who plays for the Doosan Bears in the Korean professional baseball league.- Professional career :... Keun-Woo Jeong Min-Jae Kim Kab-Yong Jin Jin-Young Lee Won-Sam Jang Seung-Jun Song Kwang-Hyun Kim Yong-Kyu Lee Dong-Joo Kim Min-Ho Kang Hyun-Soo Kim Seung-Yeop Lee Seung-Yeop Lee Lee Seung-yeop also Lee Seung-yuop is a baseball player, currently playing for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Pacific League. Nicknamed "Lion King" since his days with the Samsung Lions, while being affectionately known as "Mr... Tae-Hyon Chong Suk-Min Yoon Manager: Kyung-Moon Kim Coaches: Kye-Hyun Cho Gwang-Soo Kim Ki-Tae Kim	Ariel Pestano Ariel Pestano Ariel Pestano Valdés , better known as El Veterano , is a Cuban baseball catcher, and is known as one of the greatest catchers in Cuban history. He has won both silver and gold medals in the Olympic Games and also played catcher on Cuba's World Baseball Classic team in March 2006 and March 2009... Yoandry Urgellés Yoandry Urgellés Yoandry Urgellés Cobas is a left fielder for Industriales of the Cuban National Series. He was part of the Cuban team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.... Alfredo Despaigne Alfredo Despaigne Alfredo Despaigne Rodriguez is a Cuban Outfielder with Granma of the Cuban National Series. He is widely considered to be among the best players playing outside the United States... Luis Rodríguez Alexei Bell Alexei Bell Alexei Bell, born October 2, 1983 in El Caney, Santiago de Cuba Province Cuba, is a baseball player for Cuba. He was part of the Cuban team which won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and earned the batting crown, hit more extra bases than any other player and led the tournament in... Yadier Pedroso Yadier Pedroso Yadier Pedroso González is a right-handed pitcher for the Cuban national baseball team and La Habana of the Cuban National Series... Jonder Martínez Jonder Martínez Jonder Martínez Martínez is a right-handed pitcher for Habana of the Cuban National Series and the Cuban national baseball team.Martínez played for Cuba at the 2006 World Baseball Classic.... Adiel Palma Adiel Palma Adiel Palma López is a Cuban left-handed pitcher for the Cuban national baseball team and Cienfuegos of the Cuban National Series... Luis Navas Luis Miguel Navas Luis Miguel Navas is a baseball player for Cuba. He was part of the Cuban team which won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He plays shortstop.-References:... Giorvis Duvergel Giorvis Duvergel Giorvis Duvergel, born September 8, 1979, is an olympic baseball player for Cuba. He was part of the Cuban team which won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:... Alexander Mayeta Alexander Mayeta Alexander Mayeta Kerr is a first baseman with Industriales of the Cuban National Series. He was the play-off most valuable player in the National Series for the 2005–06 season.-Play-off MVP season:... Eriel Sánchez Eriel Sánchez Eriel Sánchez León is an offensive baseball catcher for Sancti Spíritus of the Cuban National Series.... Rolando Meriño Rolando Meriño Rolando Meriño Betancourt is a baseball player for Cuba. He was born at February 17, 1971 in Santiago de Cuba and was part of the Cuban teams which won silver medals at the 2000 and 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:... Héctor Olivera Héctor Olivera (baseball) Héctor Olivera is a baseball player for Cuba. He was part of the Cuban team which won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He plays second base- References :... Michel Enríquez Michel Enríquez Michel Enríquez Tamayo is a Cuban baseball third baseman.... Yuliesky Gourriel Yulieski Gourriel Yulieski Gourriel is a Cuban baseball player. A member of Cuba's national team and Sancti Spíritus in the Cuban National Series, Gourriel is primarily a third baseman, though he has also played other positions, such as shortstop and 2nd base... Vicyohandry Odelín Vicyohandri Odelín Vicyohandri Odelín Sanamé is a right-handed pitcher for the Cuban national baseball team and Camagüey of the Cuban National Series. Nicknamed "Villo", Odelín was part of the Cuban team at the 2006 World Baseball Classic.-References:... Pedro Luis Lazo Pedro Luis Lazo Pedro Luis Lazo Iglesias is a top pitcher in Cuban baseball. He is used predominantly as a reliever in international competition, although he is a starter in the Cuban National Series, where he plays for Pinar del Río... Eduardo Paret Eduardo Paret Eduardo Paret Pérez is a Cuban baseball player. He is a shortstop for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series, and for the Cuban national baseball team.... Norberto González Norberto González Norberto González Miranda is a left-handed pitcher for the Cuban national baseball team and Cienfuegos of the Cuban National Series.... Norge Luis Vera Norge Luis Vera Norge Luis Vera Peralta is a right-handed baseball pitcher, who has been a frequent member of the Cuban national baseball team.... Frederich Cepeda Frederich Cepeda Frederich Cepeda Cruz is an outfielder for the Cuban national baseball team and Sancti Spíritus of the Cuban National Series. Cepeda was part of the Cuban team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and second place at the 2006 World Baseball Classic and 2008 Summer Olympics... Elier Sánchez Elier Sánchez Elier Sánchez is a baseball player for Cuba. He was part of the Cuban team which won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:... Miguel La Hera Manager: Antonio Pacheco Antonio Pacheco Massó Antonio Pacheco Massó is a retired Cuban baseball player, and is also a 3 times Olympic medalist. He also coached the Cuban national baseball team to a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He played for Japanese corporate team Shidax between 2002 and 2004. He is the current manager of...	Brett Anderson Brett Anderson (baseball) Brett Franklin Anderson is a left-handed pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Early life:He attended Stillwater High School in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he was an all-state selection in 2006, his senior year.... Blaine Neal Blaine Neal Blaine Neal is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher currently pitching for the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League. Previously, Neal played with the Florida Marlins , San Diego Padres , Boston Red Sox , and Colorado Rockies... Matt Brown Nate Schierholtz Nate Schierholtz Nathan John Schierholtz is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. Schierholtz commonly bats without batting gloves, one of the few Major Leaguers to do so... Jeremy Cummings Jeremy Cummings Jeremy Michael Cummings is a minor league right-handed pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in .... Michael Koplove Mike Koplove Michael Paul "Mike" Koplove is a sidearm relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres organization.Koplove throws with a different arm angle than most pitchers... Terry Tiffee Terry Tiffee Terry Ronald Tiffee is an American professional baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Career:Tiffee graduated from Sylvan Hills High School in and Pratt Community College in... Kevin Jepsen Kevin Jepsen Kevin Martin Jepsen is an Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is 6'3", 215 lbs... Brian Duensing Brian Duensing Brian Matthew Duensing is a major league baseball starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.-High school:... Dexter Fowler Dexter Fowler William Dexter Fowler is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Colorado Rockies.-Baseball career:... Brandon Knight Mike Hessman Mike Hessman Michael Steven Hessman is a third baseman who plays for the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League... Casey Weathers Casey Weathers Casey Weathers is a minor league baseball pitcher who was drafted by the Colorado Rockies 8th overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. He played in college for the Vanderbilt Commodores.-Biography:... Jason Donald Jason Donald (baseball) Jason Thomas Donald is an Olympian for the United States and a Major League Baseball shortstop who currently plays for the Cleveland Indians... Jayson Nix Jayson Nix Jayson Truitt Edward Nix is an American professional baseball utility player for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.-Early life:... Taylor Teagarden Taylor Teagarden Taylor Hill Teagarden is a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-Early life:Teagarden graduated from Creekview High School in Carrollton, Texas.... Stephen Strasburg Stephen Strasburg Stephen James Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft... Jake Arrieta Jake Arrieta Jacob Joseph Arrieta is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-Early life:... Lou Marson Matt LaPorta Matthew LaPorta Matthew Vincent LaPorta is an American professional baseball player who is a first baseman and left fielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. LaPorta played college baseball for the University of Florida... Trevor Cahill Trevor Cahill Trevor John Cahill is a right-handed pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.-Career:... Brian Barden Brian Barden Brian David Barden is an American professional baseball infielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball. He has played as a second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop.-Early life:... John Gall Jeff Stevens Jeff Stevens Jeffrey Allen Stevens is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft... Manager: Davey Johnson Davey Johnson David Allen "Davey" Johnson is an American Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Washington Nationals. He was the starting second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles when they won four American League pennants and two World Series championships between 1965 and 1972... Coaches: Marcel Lachemann Marcel Lachemann Marcel Ernest Lachemann is a baseball pitching coach and a former relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics... Reggie Smith Reggie Smith Carl Reginald Smith is a former Major League Baseball outfielder, coach and front office executive. During a 17-year big league career , Smith appeared in 1,987 games, hit 314 home runs and batted .287. He was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed. In his prime, he had one of the strongest... Rick Eckstein Rick Eckstein Rick Eckstein is the current hitting coach for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. Eckstein took over as the hitting coach in September 2008, after serving as the Columbus Clippers hitting coach. He also was the hitting coach on the United States national baseball team in the 2008... Dick Cooke Rolando de Armas

Competition format

Eight teams are competing in the Olympic baseball tournament, and the competition consists of two rounds. The preliminary round follows a round robin

Round-robin tournament

A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...

format, where each of the teams plays all the other teams once. Following this, the top four teams advance to a single elimination round culminating in the bronze and gold medal games.

Qualification

Event	Date	Location	Vacancies	Qualified
Host nation
American Qualifying Tournament	Aug 25 – Sept 7, 2006	Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...	2
European Championship	Sept 7 – Sept 16, 2007	Barcelona Barcelona Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...	1
Asian Baseball Championship 2007 Asian Baseball Championship The 24th Asian Baseball Championship was contested in Taichung, Taiwan in November and December 2007. The tournament is sanctioned by the Asian Baseball Federation. The winner of the tournament will gain automatic entry into the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing...	Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2007	Taichung Taichung -Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....	1
Final Qualifying Tournament	Mar 7 – Mar 14, 2008	Taichung Taichung -Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly.... and Douliou	3
TOTAL			8

Chinese Taipei

Chinese Taipei is the designated name used by the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, to participate in some international organizations and almost all sporting events, such as the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games and Asian Para Games...

is the official IOC

International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...

designation for the state officially referred to as the Republic of China

Republic of China

The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...

(ROC), commonly known as Taiwan

Taiwan

Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...

Team squad

Team	Qualification criteria	Appearance
Canada Canada national baseball team Canada has qualified for two Olympic games, in 2004 and 2008. Canadian teams also competed twice when baseball was a demonstration sport, in 1984 and 1988.-1984 Summer Olympics:...	1st place of Final Qualifying Tournament	2nd
China China national baseball team The China national baseball team is the national representative team of the People's Republic of China.-Olympic Games:China secured qualification to the 2008 Summer Olympics automatically as host nation, giving the country its first Olympics berth....	Automatic as host nation of the Olympics	1st
Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei baseball team The Chinese Taipei baseball team , is the national team of the Republic of China . It is governed by the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association. They are generally recognized as one of the elite national baseball teams. They are currently the fifth ranked baseball team in the world, just behind South...	3rd place of Final Qualifying Tournament	3rd
Cuba Cuba national baseball team The Cuba national baseball team is the national team of Cuba. The team is made up of amateur players from the Cuban national baseball system, as there are no professional sports leagues in Cuba...	2nd place of American Qualifying Tournament	5th
Japan Japan national baseball team The Japan national baseball team is the national baseball team representing Japan in international competitions. They are one of the more successful baseball teams in the world, having won the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009...	1st place of Asian Baseball Championship	5th
South Korea	2nd place of Final Qualifying Tournament	3rd
Netherlands Netherlands national baseball team The Netherlands national baseball team is the national baseball team of the Netherlands. They are currently the top team in Europe and currently the sixth ranked men's baseball team in the IBAF World Rankings....	1st place of European Championship	4th
United States United States national baseball team The United States National Baseball team represents the United States in international baseball competition. The United States has won the previous two Baseball World Cups, having lost this title to the Netherlands in 2011, and is currently second in the IBAF World Rankings, behind Cuba.The team...	1st place of American Qualifying Tournament	4th

Group stage

All times are China Standard Time (UTC+8

UTC+8

UTC+08:00 is an identifier for a time offset from UTC of +08:00. In ISO 8601 the associated time would be written as .With an estimated population of 1.53 billion living within the time zone, roughly 22.5% of the world population, it is the most populous time zone in world, as well as a possible...

)