Raleigh to Host Two Esports Tournaments This Weekend

USA Baseball will host two major esports tournaments this weekend at the North Carolina State University Gaming and Esports Lab between the USA eBaseball Finals on October 25, while the World Baseball Softball Confederation ePremier12 opening round will take place October 26–27.

Friday’s USA Finals will feature the top six players in the WBSC eBASEBALL: Power Pros from the United States battling it out for the final three spots in the opening round of the ePremier12 global competition. The three qualifiers from the U.S. will join three other pre-qualified international champions in Group A in the opening round starting Saturday.

Winners of the opening round will qualify for the super round and finals in Tokyo on November 21–23. Both tournaments in Raleigh will be open to the public and will be livestreamed on USA Baseball’s YouTube channel and World Baseball Softball Confederation’s YouTube channel. The event is also through the Greater Raleigh Esports Local Organizing Committee and Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance.

“Greater Raleigh continues to attract major global esports events as a result of our collaborative efforts with our local stakeholders and partners,” said Loren Gold, executive vice president of Visit Raleigh. “Pairing USA Baseball’s leadership with NC State’s new Gaming and Esports Lab is a mutually beneficial scenario that we always strive for. Hosting these top players in Raleigh is noteworthy, as their global fans follow and celebrate every move on and off the digital field of play. The livestreaming element via the YouTube channels also brings high visibility and awareness to USA Baseball, NC State University and Greater Raleigh.”

WBSC and Konami have published Power Pros in over 60 countries. Players can assemble a team of batters, catchers and pitchers to compete in online games against rivals from all over the world.

“The USA Baseball National Training Complex opened its doors in 2007 at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C. and continues to play a major role in Greater Raleigh’s success as a global sport hosting destination,” said Russell Hartford, senior director of technology for USA Baseball. “Our collaborative partnership with WBSC, NC State University’s Esports Program, Visit Raleigh, GRSA and GRELOC to bring this event to Raleigh, N.C., now brings us forward into the newer world of competitive video gaming through a passion for our destination and our beloved national pastime sport.”