7 April 2010

CHAMPIONSHIP WEBSITE COUNTING DOWN
Like the International Softball Federation’s website homepage, the official Internet home of the 2010 Women’s World Championship is counting down to the event in Caracas. Found at http://www.mundialsoftbol2010.org.ve/ (the site is available in both English and Spanish), the tournament website is the place to go for all information relative to the June 23-July 2 competition in Venezuela. Sixteen national teams will participate, coming from all five regions (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania).

JAPAN, AUSSIES PLAYED FIVE GAMES
In preparation for the aforementioned world championship, Australia recently hosted Japan at Blacktown Olympic Park, the site of the 2000 Olympic softball competition. On the first day, each of the two games required an extra inning (3-2 in favor of Australia, then Japan won, 2-1). Again on day 2 the hosts won first (3-0) followed by a victory for the visitors (6-1) before Japan won the rubber match (6-1) on the third/final day.

Japan stayed on two more days and played four more exhibition games against state teams to conclude their tour.

Action from the Japan-Australia five-game series.
(Photo by Gemshot Photography)

CLINIC TO BE DONE IN SUDAN
In just over a week, ISF clinician Eduardo Sabate will be in the Sudan to teach softball for three days. From April 16-18 the head coach of Argentina’s men’s national softball team will be doing instruction as part of the ISF’s relationship with Olympafrica, as announced in the latter part of 2009. In preparation for the clinic the ISF has shipped two “starter kits” to the Sudan. The boxes contain softball bats, balls, gloves, helmets, and catching gear to be used by the attendees. The participants will be teachers, and the activity will occur both outdoors as well as inside the Sahafa Olympafrica Centre.

SOFTBALL REPS ON THE MOVE
April will be a busy month for softball representatives, traveling to various events taking place on three different continents. From April 22-24 an ISF official will be in East Johannesburg for the Africa International Sport Convention. From April 25-30 it’s the annual SportAccord convention, being held this year in Dubai, where ISF President Don Porter and ISF Secretary General Ms. Low Beng Choo will be in attendance. And, from April 28-May 3 the International Sports Press Association will hold their 73rd annual Congress. The 2010 edition is set for Antalya, Turkey. ISF Director of Communications Bruce Wawrzyniak will be in attendance.

NEW SOFTBALL LEADER IN ARUBA
The national governing body for softball in Aruba has a new leader following elections at their recently held general assembly. Effective immediately, Mr. Endy Croes is the new president, promising that “softball in Aruba will see a huge turnaround in a very short term.” In addition, he expressed interest in bidding for a tournament to be held in Aruba.

COMMEMORATIVE ITEM SELLING
This year marks the 45-year anniversary of the first-ever softball world championship, with five women’s teams having competed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1965. The commemorative logo unveiled by the ISF in January will be worn as a patch (shown below) on the jerseys of the athletes participating in the world championship in Venezuela. A limited supply is being sold at shop.internationalsoftball.com.