Softball world championship games
kick off this morning in Netherlands
The XIV Women's Softball World Championship starts today, Friday, August 15. The games, featuring sixteen nations in 56 matches, are being played in Europe for the first time. The host city is Haarlem, Netherlands.
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Megan Timpf of Team Canada makes diving catch.
“We like our chances,” she says. “We have our eyes
on the podium." CLICK HERE for that story.
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● Botswana,
● Canada
● China
● Chinese
● Taipei
● Cuba
● Dominican Republic, ● Great Britain, ● Italy, ● Japan, ● Netherlands, ● New Zealand, ● Puerto Rico, ● Russia, and USA.
ESPN reports that TEAM USA, usually heavily favored, faces a major challenge at the tournament...
“American entries are nine-time champions in what was the sport's signature event prior to softball's Olympic inclusion in 1996, regaining that status when that Olympic era ended in 2008. The rest of the globe, in the form of Australia, Japan (twice) and New Zealand, can claim just four world titles. But for the first time since 1986, the United States is not the defending champion, having lost the final to Japan in extra innings two years ago. And for the first time, factoring in Japan's surprise gold medal in the 2008 Olympics, Team USA faces the prospect of losing three out of the four most recent major championships should it come away from Holland with anything less than gold.”CLICK HERE for the full ESPN story.
A problem faced by the USA Team is a talent pool split between this national team and the increasingly popular USA professional softball league.
For a fee, all games are web-streamed at www.isf.sportzcast.net. In addition, the bronze and gold medal games on August 24 will be broadcast throughout the United States. Check local listings for availability.
Video preview of TEAM USA...
