[3][4] The first edition of the tournament was held in 1955, with the United States (represented by a semi-pro club from Wichita, Kansas) taking the gold medal.

The team included two players with Negro league experience: John Kennedy, who would soon become the first African American to play for the Philadelphia Phillies, and Wilmer Fields, an all-star with the Homestead Grays.

[6] Yu Hanai [ja], billed in American media as "the Babe Ruth of Japan", would go on to play with the Nishitetsu Lions of NPB.

[3][7] The Canadian representatives were the North Battleford Beavers, champions of the Western Canada League; the team was led by player-manager Emile Francis, best known as a professional ice hockey coach and former player.

[12] The Netherlands national team, winners of the 1956 European Baseball Championship, were managed by Henk Keulemans and headlined by pitchers Jan Smidt and Han Urbanus.