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

For the first time in the WBC, there will be a pitch clock. It will follow MLB rules: Pitchers will have 15 seconds to throw with the bases empty and 18 seconds when runners are on. Batters have until the eight-second mark to be ready to hit.

After three long years of waiting, the World Classic is finally back. Actually, finally back. Pre-tournament exhibition games are already underway in Japan, and they’ll kick off stateside this afternoon.

The World Baseball Classic is nothing without its atmosphere. While the talent on the field is strictly world-class, the pulsing, deafening energy radiating from the grandstands is what truly elevates this tournament from a simple exhibition into an international spectacle.

Live coverage of the Chinese Taipei vs. Australia World Baseball Classic game on ESPN, including live score, highlights and updated stats.

This is the first World Baseball Classic since 2023, when the United States and Japan had an exciting championship game, with Shohei Ohtani striking out then Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to claim the title.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to begin later this month. Several of the game's top players, representing countries like the United States, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and more,