Below is a selection of photographs captured throughout the 2023 World Baseball Classic tournament featuring images from each Pool location and the final round in Miami with brief commentary from the photographers.

“Ohtani, arguably the greatest player in baseball right now, holding up against the pressures of closing the game out for Team Japan while facing down teammate Mike Trout. My goal was to focus on one star player and capture their reaction regardless of the outcome of the final pitch. From my position, I had Trout facing me. As soon as he walked off the field after striking out, all of my attention went to Ohtani as he celebrated with his team. This was a historic moment for the game of baseball. I believe this photo represents Team Japan’s passion as they defeat Team USA in the World Baseball Classic finals, bringing home an emotional win for their country. “

-Megan Briggs, Getty Images

“There are so many reasons I love this photo. From a technical standpoint alone, it excites me because you rarely ever get a Gatorade dunk photo this clean. You can see Turner’s face, reaction, and smile. The reporter backed out just enough that they weren’t in the edge of the frame. That leaves you with just Turner, a wall of Gatorade, and one smiling coach in the back corner that to me adds to the photo. I love the way the Gatorade wraps around him and that the drops are filling the frame to further clean up the background. Everything worked out in the best way possible and I’m glad I was there to capture it.

Aside from the technical aspect, this photo evokes memories from that whole night for me. The back and forth between Team USA and team Venezuela. The crowd making it one of the loudest games I’ve ever been to. The players feeding off the crowd’s energy. Salvador Perez’s game tying double in the fifth. Luis Arraez homering twice in front of his new Miami home crowd, the second putting Venezuela ahead. Again, the noise and energy of that crowd. Trea Turner coming up to bat with the bases loaded. The palpable energy in the air made you feel that something big was going to happen. Then he hit a no-doubt go-ahead grand slam and a guy who is normally reserved went absolutely nuts going down the first base line and around the bases.

Finally, while waiting for his post-game interview to talk about his big moment, I looked over my shoulder to see Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, Turner’s new teammates this year, sneakily grab a Gatorade cooler and make their way to the back end of the dugout while grinning like little leaguers. They kept looking over at the photographers and saying with their eyes, “play it cool, don’t let him know we’re coming!” Then they had their chance and made the perfect Gatorade dunk.

The whole game culminated into one of the best games I’ve ever witnessed and been there to photograph. It was pure baseball and absolutely incredible. I’ll never forget that night and look forward to all of those memories rushing back through me every time I see this photo.”

-Daniel Shirey, MLB Photos

“This was my first time covering the World Baseball Classic. I have about 10 favorite images; most were celebratory and a few action shots. I chose this photo of Puerto Rico’s Francisco Lindor yelling after tagging out Nicaragua’s Juan Diego Montes, after Montes tried to steal the base in the fourth inning. I shot this photo at an elevated spot above home plate. I decided to get a different perspective and to get away from the crowded base positions. The Puerto Rican team was much more experienced, yet they celebrated every defensive and offensive play.

The whole series in Miami was so much fun and some games where world series caliber. I really enjoyed seeing the great camaraderie among the team players. They were so pumped and supportive of one another. The fans were awesome as well. I also have to give kudos to the Miami Marlins organization for putting together this event.”

-Marta Lavandier, AP Images

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to cover many big events in my career, the downside to that is that once you’ve seen all these amazing moments right in front of you it’s gets increasingly difficult to move one’s needle. I photographed the first WBC back in ’06 and I remember it being a fun, but to be honest I have little recollection of the other tournaments, I was thrilled to be asked to cover this year’s WBC but had no idea what to expect. I knew many top stars were planning on playing, so I was optimistic that perhaps this was going to be very good.

I stayed at Team Venezuela’s hotel in West Palm Beach as they arrived and had some interaction with them and immediately knew this tournament was going to be special. The camaraderie and their desire to win was apparent. Once the tournament started in Miami, that same sentiment was felt throughout all the teams. It was a two-week Baseball advertisement on how good this game is and played by incredible athletes playing at the highest level and cheered on by passionate fans all around the world. I have to say as a photographer, it was a good as it gets, it seemed you just had a wait a few minutes and the next great opportunity was in front of you. Looking at my images the last few days and trying to make some edits, I was blown away by how fantastic an experience that was and it will go down as a highlight in my career and I’m already looking forward to the next one. “

-Rob Tringali, MLB Photos

“Lars Nootbaar, the first American born player to join Team Japan’s baseball team, yells in a circle of his teammates before a game against Korea at the Tokyo Dome. Shouting motivational comments in a huddle by the dugout before the game is kind of a traditional Japanese ceremony or ritual. It was in this moment that I felt he is really integrated with Team Japan.”

-Yuki Taguchi, MLB Photos

2023 World Baseball Classic Wrap Up

Professional Baseball Photographers’ Association

2023 World Baseball Classic Wrap Up

Inside the Minnesota Twins Clubhouse

Professional Baseball Photographers’ Association