The champion Brazil team. (Photo courtesy of CONSURSA)

BRAZIL WON SOUTH AMERICAN JUNIOR EVENT
2008-10-13

Young people are playing softball all over the world. This has been demonstrated by 16 teams – the maximum allowed under ISF Code – playing in last year’s VIII Jr. Women’s World Championship (19-and-under), 12 countries competing in this year’s VIII Jr. Men’s World Championship, and the announcement last week of the Easton Foundation Youth Softball World Cup (16-and-under) to be played in August 2009 in the Czech Republic.

Several youth tournaments take place regionally as well, such as the XII South American Jr. Women’s Championship (17-and-under) that recently concluded in Maracay, Venezuela. Finishing second at the eleventh edition of the event after having come out on top at each of the two prior, Brazil was back in the winner’s circle this time around, defeating the host team, 5-0, in the grand final.

Played under the auspices of the South American Softball Confederation, the event took place in the Estadio Municipal Polideportivo Las Delicias over eight days. As the tournament unfolded Venezuela was looking like the team to beat, going unbeaten (8-0 won-lost record) until a playoff meeting with Brazil, who handed them a 4-3 defeat.

The playoffs had opened with Argentina, next year’s host for this event, winning 5-1 to eliminate Colombia. Argentina would finish third though after losing, 7-1, to Venezuela, which sent the winners on to face Brazil for the title. After finishing fourth, fourth, and third at the last three editions of this tournament, Ecuador’s slide continued as they came in fifth place this year.

For the champions, Jessica Saíto finished as the tournament’s batting leader with a .625 average to go with a .688 slugging percentage. There was good balance though as three of the other national junior teams had a player at the top of some of the other key category leaders, including runs batted in (Colombia’s Danilsa Livingston with six), pitching victories (Venezuela’s Adriana Velásquez with three ), and stolen bases (Ecuador’s Denise Moncada with four).