Photo by: Greg Bintz
11/4/2026 3:57:00 PM | Baseball
MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Will Kraemer, a current sophomore and versatile infielder for the Pepperdine baseball program, was selected to the final roster to represent Great Britain at the WBSC (World Baseball Softball Confederation) U-23 Baseball World Cup 2026, presented by Raxus. The tournament takes place from November 6-15.
The WBSC began a U-21 Baseball World Cup in 2014 before upping the age bracket to U-23 prior to the 2016 BWC. This year marks the sixth U-23 tournament, with Japan having taken the last two titles. Kraemer will have the chance to battle against some of the best young baseball talent around the globe, including minor league players Eduardo Tait (Cedar Rapids Kernels catcher) and Randal Diaz (former 2024 fifth-round pick, Frederick Keys shortstop).
Great Britain Opening Round Schedule - all times Pacific
Friday, November 6 - GB vs. Japan - 4:30pm
Saturday, November 7 - GB vs. Venezuela - 4:30pm
Sunday, November 8 - GB vs. South Africa - 4:00pm
Monday, November 9 - GB vs. Korea - 12:30pm
Tuesday, November 10 - GB vs. Cuba - 8:30am
ABOUT PEPPERDINE BASEBALL
Pepperdine baseball has one of the richest traditions and success stories among mid-major baseball programs in the country. The Waves won the NCAA National Championship in 1992 and have made 28 NCAA Tournament appearances in total. Located in scenic Malibu, California, Eddy D. Field Stadium boasts one of the most remarkable views in college baseball and has seen 41 former Waves reach the MLB while seeing 41 All-American selections.
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To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine baseball news, follow the Waves on social media: @PepperdineBASE on Twitter/X, @pepperdinebase on Instagram, and Pepperdine Baseball on Facebook.
The WBSC began a U-21 Baseball World Cup in 2014 before upping the age bracket to U-23 prior to the 2016 BWC. This year marks the sixth U-23 tournament, with Japan having taken the last two titles. Kraemer will have the chance to battle against some of the best young baseball talent around the globe, including minor league players Eduardo Tait (Cedar Rapids Kernels catcher) and Randal Diaz (former 2024 fifth-round pick, Frederick Keys shortstop).
Considered a significant achievement to be at the World Cup, the first official practice day is on Thursday, November 5 before game action begins on Friday. Great Britain is one of a dozen teams at the tournament and is in Group B alongside Cuba, Japan, Korea, South Africa, and Venezuela. Great Britain opens the slate with a matchup against Japan at Roberto Clemente Stadium in Masaya, a city southeast of Managua. The stadium was named after the famed Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder, who died in a plane crash while accompanying humanitarian supplies in the wake of the 1972 Managua earthquake, which lasted about two hours and killed 10,000 while leveling nearly 80 percent of the city's buildings.Pepperdine Made. 😤 2006 alum Chad Tracy has been announced as one of three finalists for American League Manager of the Year‼️ The winner will be announced Tuesday, November 10, at 4 pm pacific on MLB Network. #MakeWaves | @PepperdineWaves | #WavesInThePros https://t.co/OCsz2yoFMI
— Pepperdine Baseball (@PepperdineBASE) November 3, 2026
Great Britain Opening Round Schedule - all times Pacific
Friday, November 6 - GB vs. Japan - 4:30pm
Saturday, November 7 - GB vs. Venezuela - 4:30pm
Sunday, November 8 - GB vs. South Africa - 4:00pm
Monday, November 9 - GB vs. Korea - 12:30pm
Tuesday, November 10 - GB vs. Cuba - 8:30am
The Super Round and Placement Round will occur November 12-14, before the World Championship and Bronze Medal games commence on the 15th. All games will be streamed globally on Gametime, WBSC's official streaming platform (Tournament Pass for $14.99), while contests will also stream for free on the Bally Sports Live app (free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and online.🚨 𝙎𝘼𝙑𝙀 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘿𝘼𝙏𝙀! 📅 The Patrick Rooney Memorial Golf Tournament is set for November 16, 2026. Full details 👇 📰 | https://t.co/r3kkGRViVd #MakeWaves | @PepperdineWaves https://t.co/ib81QMzdWb
— Pepperdine Baseball (@PepperdineBASE) September 15, 2026
ABOUT PEPPERDINE BASEBALL
Pepperdine baseball has one of the richest traditions and success stories among mid-major baseball programs in the country. The Waves won the NCAA National Championship in 1992 and have made 28 NCAA Tournament appearances in total. Located in scenic Malibu, California, Eddy D. Field Stadium boasts one of the most remarkable views in college baseball and has seen 41 former Waves reach the MLB while seeing 41 All-American selections.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine baseball news, follow the Waves on social media: @PepperdineBASE on Twitter/X, @pepperdinebase on Instagram, and Pepperdine Baseball on Facebook.
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