2026 World Baseball Classic: Venezuela stuns defending champion Japan, advances to semifinals vs. Italy

Japan's World Baseball Classic title defense is over. Saturday night at loanDepot Park in Miami, Venezuela rallied from behind to eliminate Japan (VEN 8, JPN 5) and advance to the semifinals.
NBC Los Angeles

When did baseball start in Japan and how did it become so popular?

The country has dominated the World Baseball Classic in the 2000s, but its baseball history started long before.
Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball returns to Japan to open the 2019 season

With an unparallel legacy in both Major League Baseball and Japanese baseball, the impact of Ichiro on the sport globally is immeasurable. During the Opening Series in 2019, he made his return to ...

In Japan, concerns arise that Netflix exclusivity dampening World Baseball Classic appeal

In Japan, where Netflix has exclusive rights to the WBC, residents are not used to paying subscription services to watch sporting events.
NBC Los Angeles

Ohtani hits grand slam as Japan routs Chinese Taipei in World Baseball Classic

Ohtani hit a grand slam in the second inning — in the first he doubled on the first pitch of the game but didn’t score — as ...

Japan finishes World Baseball Classic group unbeaten, tops Czechs 9-0 behind Murakami's grand slam

Defending champion Japan completed an unbeaten group stage at the World Baseball Classic, beating the Czech Republic 9-0 at ...

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani apologizes for 'shortcomings' in Japan's early exit from WBC

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, the MVP of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, takes partial responsibility for Japan's early exit ...

World Baseball Classic live updates: Quarterfinals continue with Italy beating Puerto Rico, Japan vs. Venezuela on Saturday

The 2026 World Baseball Classic continues Saturday with two quarterfinal showdowns. Italy opened with an 8-6 win over Puerto ...