PANAMA CITY – The 12U National Team is set to kick off a week of baseball at the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier today, October 20, in Panama. Today begins a five-game stretch of pool play in which Team USA is seeking its eighth gold medal and a berth to the 2025 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan.

First pitch is set to be thrown at 1:00 p.m. local/2:00 p.m. ET at Estadio Nacional Rod Carew.

UPDATE: Today's contest is currently in a weather delay, updates will be provided via X.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP Alejandro Ponce (ECU) vs. RHP Carson Schoener (USA)

GAME ONE SUCCESS

Since the team’s inception, the 12U National Team is undefeated against international competition in tournament-opening games, going a perfect 10-0 since 2013. In those 10 games, the U.S. has put up 173 runs while surrendering only seven runs to opponents.

HISTORY AGAINST ECUADOR

This contest marks the first time the 12U National Team has faced Ecuador since 2016, when Team USA won 24-2 in the Pan American Baseball Confederation (COPABE) Pan Am Championships in Puebla, Mexico. The U.S. is 2-0 all-time against Ecuador, and has won by a combined margin of 32-2 over those two matchups.

GROUP A STANDINGS

Mexico (1-0)

Colombia (0-0)

Ecuador (0-0)

Panama (0-0)

United States (0-0)

Nicaragua (0-1)

INSIDE THE ROSTER

The 2024 12U National Team features players from eight different states with more than half of the squad hailing from California or Florida, as those states boast five representatives apiece. Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, and Texas are responsible for the other eight players named. The 18-player roster features a range of bats offensively, as a third of the team bats left-handed while the squad proves its versatility on the mound with 13 players listed as viable arms. More information on the 2024 12U National Team roster can be found here.

AT THE HELM

Managing Team USA and at the forefront of the charge is Bryan Madsen, who will be making his first appearance as manager and second time on staff. Madsen previously helped lead the 2023 12U National Team to a gold medal at the U-12 Baseball World Cup in 2023. Assisting Madsen is Roger Wright, who will be on the 12U National Team staff for the second consecutive year. Making their first appearances as an assistant coach will be Josh Ellison and Wes Brooks; Brooks has made stints as 12U National Team Training Camp coach and as USA Baseball Task Force in the past while Ellison has helped coach in 2023 at 18U National Team Training Camp in addition to numerous development events.

HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG

Fans can watch the game here and also follow live stats, while highlights and updates can be found on the 12U National Team Twitter. The schedule can be found here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 12U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball12U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.