According to the IBAF archives, the first ever baseball World Cup was held in England in 1938 and was made up of just two teams: England and the United States of America. This international event was originally dubbed the "John Moores Trophy".
of the International Federation, wanted the Amateur World Series to be played every year.
In 1939, the event featured 3 teams (Cuba, Nicaragua and the United States), with Cuba winning. Team Nicaragua featured the first ever tournament hero: pitcher Chino Melendez.
In 1940, 7 teams participated (Cuba won, USA and Nicaragua 2nd).
In 1941 the Amateur World Series became a 9 team tournament (Venezuela won, Cuba 2nd, for the first time the 1939 World Cup (picture from the book "Baseball para siempre" by Carlos J. Garcia" /> not participate).
In 1942 5 teams played and in 1943 the number went down to 4 (in both cases Cuba won). The Amateur World Series was played annually until 1948.
In 1944 Venezuela hosted the tournament and became the third nation to claim the trophy. The same happened to Colombia, which hosted a 9 team Series in 1947 and celebrated the victory.
The 1948 tournament was played by 11 teams in Nicaragua and won by the Dominican Republic.
The Amateur World Series was not played in 1949, but took place every year from 1950 to 1953, with the 1952 event played by a record 13 teams.
Puerto Rico proved to be the only alternative to Cuba, and the Boricua was crowned champion in 1951.
SUUFRE C-A-B-R-O-N!! ![]()

