3RD JAPAN CUP SET FOR NEXT MONTH
2005-06-20

The Japan Softball Association is finalizing plans for the 3rd Japan Cup, set to take place from July 29-31.  In addition to the host country, Australia, China, and USA will compete, forming a tournament of half of the participants from last August’s Olympic Softball competition in Athens.

The first two days of play will take place in Hodogaya Park Field, with the third/final day of games set for 30,000-seat Yokohoma Stadium.  The 3rd Japan Cup is an International Softball Federation (ISF)-sanctioned event.

The Japan Cup first took place in 2002, with the teams fresh off the ISF X Women’s World Championship.  At THAT event, in Canada, USA had defeated Japan, 1-0, in the gold medal game.  The finals of the 1st Japan Cup bore a striking resemblance, with USA again downing Japan by just one run, 2-1, in eight innings.  China beat Australia, 3-2, in nine innings for the bronze medal.

Then, in 2003 at the 2nd Japan Cup, USA scored what would end up being the game’s only run in the top of the first inning against Japan to register another one-run victory over their rivals for the title, with China again finishing third.

Japan, who since their bronze medal finish last August in Athens, is said to have changed some players to younger athletes, will have previously played against Australia and USA (in addition to Canada and Chinese Taipei) at the World Cup of Softball, July 14-18 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA).  There will also be three games between Japan and USA on August 3 & 4 at a domed stadium in Sendai City.