The tournament has replaced the Under-21 World Cup which was last held in November 2014 in Taichung in Taiwan.

Chinese Taipei, winners of the last edition of the Under-21 event, secured a dominant win over Argentina as pitcher Yi Chung Liao threw five scoreless innings and struck out eight opponents on the way to a 10-0 rout.

Australia also started strongly, easing past Austria 8-1. 

Home runs from Zachery Shepherd, Connor Macdonald and Guy Edmonds inflicted misery on the Austrians after they opened the scoring only to be thumped as the match progressed. 

World number one Japan, silver medallists at the Under-21 World Cup, displayed their class as pitcher Keisuke Honda led his side to a 6-1 victory over Nicaragua after producing seven innings without conceding a run.

Koki Yamashita’s two run triple in the ninth innings put Japan ahead by six runs before Rafael David Estrada Mendez posted Nicaragua's only score.

Venezuela, ranked seventh in the world, scored four times during their first inning as they went on to confidently beat South Africa 14-1.

The contest was completed after the the seventh innings due to the 10-run rule.

South Korea beat the Czech Republic 6-1.

With the score tied at 1-1 the Koreans scored three runs in quick succession to grab control of the match which they went on to comfortably win.

In the final contest of the day, Panama got the better of the hosts Mexico 3-1.

Pitcher Alberto Nuñez produced a stunning display conceding zero runs in seven innings while striking out six batters.

The tournament is due to continue with six games tomorrow, including a rematch of the Under-21 World Cup Final between Chinese Taipei and Japan.