LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The World Baseball Softball Confederation today appointed umpires from 25 countries to officiate the 2017 WBSC Softball World Championships.

World Baseball Classic 2013 finalists Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico have secured two of the four spots for the 2nd Round that will take place in San Diego.

TOKYO – No. 9 Netherlands defeated No. 41 Israel, 12-2, in the second round of the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome.

No. 41 Israel, the lowest-ranked nation in the World Baseball Classic, defeated No. 5 Cuba, 4-1, in the first game of the second round at the Tokyo Dome.

TOKYO – Sho Nakata’s 2-run single in the top of the 11th inning lifted No. 1 Japan over No. 9 Netherlands, 8-6, before a crowd of 44,326 at the Tokyo Dome.

In the first day of action in Groups C and D of the World Baseball Classic, No. 13 Dominican Republic overpowered No. 8 Canada at Marlins Park in Miami, while No. 11 Italy shocked No. 6 Mexico in Jalisco.

SEOUL — No. 41 Israel defeated No. 9 Netherlands, 4-2, at the Gocheok Sky Dome to remain undefeated and win Group A of the World Baseball Classic.

New York Yankee shortstop Didi Gregorius hit three doubles to help power No. 9 Netherlands past No. 4 Chinese Taipei and qualify into the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic.

No. 9 Netherlands shut out No. 3 Korea, 5-0, at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.

For the second straight day No. 41 Israel topped a top-ranked nation in the World Baseball Classic, defeating No. 4 Chinese Taipei, 15-7, in Group A action at the Gocheok Sky Dome.