Team USA to Open Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Versus Israel

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. JST/6 a.m. EDT/3 a.m. PDT

YOKOHAMA, Japan -- The U.S. Olympic Baseball Team faces off against Israel to begin the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 baseball tournament on Friday, July 30, 2021 at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. JST/6 a.m. EDT/3 a.m. EDT and fans in the U.S. can watch it live on NBCOlympics.com. Right-hander Joe Ryan (Minnesota Twins) will get the nod on the mound for Team USA in its opener. The stars and stripes will face right-hander Joey Wagman of Israel. Israel is making its Olympic debut after winning the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Europe/Asia Qualification Event for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad Tokyo 2020. Team USA earned its spot in the event after finishing a perfect 4-0 in the WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier in June. Three-time World Series champion Mike Scioscia will manage a roster laden with major league and international baseball experience. Of the 24 players on the roster, 19 have previously suited up for the red, white, and blue, and seven have won a gold medal. Additionally, 13 athletes have played in Major League Baseball (MLB), four have been named an MLB All-Star, two have won a World Series, and one was a member of Team USA when it won its first World Baseball Classic title in 2017. The U.S. is in Group B with Israel (0-1) and South Korea (1-0) for the opening round. The three teams will go head-to-head before advancing into a bracket-style knockout round with the members of Group A (Dominican Republic, Japan, and Mexico), which begins on Sunday, August 1. Fans and media are encouraged to visit USABaseball.com and follow @USABaseball on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for the most up-to-date information for the team, including daily game notes, recaps, live scoring, and behind-the-scenes content. Followers are encouraged to use USA Baseball's official hashtag, #ForGlory🇺🇸, during the event.

About USA Baseball USA Baseball is the national governing body for baseball in the United States and is committed to serving, protecting and supporting the game of baseball and its 15.6 million participants. Founded in 1978, USA Baseball fields six national teams annually and is a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). On the diamond, USA Baseball is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the reigning World Baseball Classic champion, and its national teams have won 62 gold medals in international competition. Off the field, the organization is dedicated to the proliferation and health of the sport through the creation and management of numerous development initiatives including Fun At Bat, Pitch Smart, PLAY BALL and the Prospect Development Pipeline. For more information on the organization, its national teams and development-driven initiatives, visit the official website USABaseball.com or USABDevelops.com.