Four more places at the World Baseball Classic need to be filled ©Getty Images

Six teams are set to compete for two places at the World Baseball Classic in a qualifier starting in Regensburg in Germany tomorrow.

The host nation, France, Britain, Spain, South Africa and the Czech Republic are all vying to reach the tournament proper.

South Africa and Spain are the only of the two countries to have reached the World Baseball Classic before.

Just four places remain at the World Baseball Classic and half will be filled in Regensburg over the next six days.

The tournament is using a double-elimination format, meaning a team will be out of the running once they lose twice.

Three victories are needed to qualify for the World Baseball Classic.

South Africa and Spain are due to be in the curtain-raiser tomorrow, with Britain and France also in action.

The winner of the first game will play the Czech Republic on Saturday (September 17) and winner for the France-Britain match will face Germany.

Sides with a loss are due to face off on Sunday (September 18), when two will be eliminated.

The two undefeated teams are set to play for a place at the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday (September 20) and the loser of that match will have a final chance to qualify the next day, playing the winner of a match between the two teams who came through the losers' games on Sunday.

The World Baseball Classic is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and organised in conjunction with Major League Baseball (MLB).

It serves as the WBSC's World Championship for men's national baseball teams.

The 2023 edition is due to be played in the United States, Japan and Taiwan from March 8 to 21.

The qualifier is using a double-elimination format ©MLB
The qualifier is using a double-elimination format ©MLB

Several past MLB players are set to feature in Regensburg.

Vance Worley, who pitched for five MLB teams across eight seasons, is in the British squad 

Noelvi Marte, a top-20-ranked MLB prospect tipped to one day star for the Cincinnati Reds, is in the Spanish team.

Marte is only 20.

Three-time World Series winner Bruce Bochy is the France manager.

Gift Ngoepe, the first African player to play in an MLB game, is not available for South Africa but brother Victor is in the squad.

A second qualifier is set for Panama City from September 30 to October 5.