China won their first game at the 2004 Olympics (above, versus Greece) and went on to a fourth place finish. (Photo by Franco Bagattini)

TEAMS WORKING TOWARD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
2006-03-03

In late August, 16 teams will compete at the International Softball Federation’s (ISF) XI Women’s World Championship, in Beijing, China. The marquee event also serves as a qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Softball competition, so when the stakes are that high, all the stops are pulled out to get prepared.

That’s what the host country has started doing. The Chinese national softball team is currently in the United States for almost a full month of games against college teams.

Two weeks from today at the venue used for the 2000 Olympic Softball competition, Australia will host Japan in a three-day series. The Aussies played a Trans Tasman Series a few weeks ago in New Zealand, whose 17-person squad will be named next month. Canada’s women’s national team will hold a training camp in Lincoln, Nebraska, in just over a week (March 12-16).

And the list goes on.

China shouldn’t have trouble keeping focus since their march through March will be dotted with Olympic reminders. The team squares off against Southern Utah tonight as the Chinese play 20 games in 27 days. Included in their schedule are games against teams like Iowa, whose Associate Head Coach, Michelle Venturella, won Olympic gold with the 2000 USA team, Arizona State University, who are in their first year following the retirement of long-time Head Coach Linda Wells, who coached against China at the 2004 Olympic Softball competition for Greece, and Stanford, whose lineup features shortstop/catcher Lauren Lappin, a 2004 Olympic alternate for Team USA (and pitcher/utility player Missy Penna, who has played for the Dominican Republic national team).

There are 24 players traveling with the Chinese team and roster adjustments will take place after April 10. Their new Head Coach, Michael Bastian, said, “We are holding the spring tour of the USA to allow our players to participate in games against the best opponents we could find.” And certainly with the hope that they themselves can be the best when the ISF marquee event comes to their country later this year.

The eyes of the softball world will be watching.