1944 Amateur World Series

The 1944 Amateur World Series was the seventh Amateur World Series (AWS), an international men's amateur baseball tournament. The tournament was sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (which titled it the Baseball World Cup as of the 1988 tournament). The tournament took place, for the first time, in Venezuela. It was contested by four national teams playing twelve games each from October 12 through November 18 in Caracas. Venezuela won their second AWS title, though in controversial fashion.

1944 Amateur World Series
Tournament details
Host country Venezuela
Dates 12 October 18 November
Teams8 (from 2 continents)
Venue1 (in 1 host city)
Defending champions Cuba (1943)
Final positions
Champions
 Venezuela (2nd title)
Runner-up
 Mexico
Third place
 Cuba
Fourth place Panama
Tournament statistics
Games played40*
1943
1945

Controversy surrounded the tournament with umpiring decisions. The Dominican Republic led Venezuela going into the 9th. In the top of the inning, Venezuela rallied to take the lead. In the bottom of the inning, the umpire called the game early due to bad light, reverting the 9th inning and making the Dominican Republic the winner.

More controversial umpiring played a role in a CubaVenezuela game in the final phase of the event. After a Venezuelan errored the ball during a close play at first, a photographer came over and threw the ball to one of the Venezuelan players, which led to an out. The Cuban manager protested the call and was told by the umpires that photographers were allowed to intervene in play. Due to this, Cuba withdrew from the Cup and their remaining game was forfeited; they were credited with a third-place finish nonetheless.

Cuba's withdrawal was closely followed by that of Mexico, who also withdrew from the tournament after more controversial umpiring decisions in favour of Venezuela, forfeiting the final round and finishing second.

Standings

First round

Team W L
 Mexico 6 1
 Panama 5 2
 Venezuela 5 2
 Cuba 4 3
 Dominican Republic   4 3
 Colombia 2 5
 Puerto Rico 1 6
 Nicaragua 1 6

Second round

Team W L
 Cuba 2 1
 Mexico 2 1
 Venezuela   2 1
 Panama 0 3

Final round

Team W L
 Venezuela *  2 0
 Mexico 0 2

 * Venezuela won by forfeit.

Statistics

Individual leaders
PlayerClubStatistic
Leonard RobertsPANBatting average.478
Guillermo VentoVENRuns   14
Antonio BriñezVENHits     7
J. Diaz
Adolfredo González
B. López
MEX
VEN
MEX
Home runs     2
Dalmiro FinolVENRBI   15
José AraujoVENStolen bases     4
F. Alcaraz
Luis Castro
Luis Zuloaga
MEX
DOM
VEN
Wins     3
Julio MorenoCUBStrikeouts   23
Luis ZuloagaVENERA0.94

References

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