Women's Softball World Cup

Women's Softball World Cup
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2024 Women's Softball World Cup
SportSoftball
Founded1965; 59 years ago (1965)
No. of teams16 (finals)
ContinentInternational
Most recent
champion(s)		 Japan (4th title)
(2024)
Most titles United States (12 titles)

The Women's Softball World Cup is a fastpitch softball tournament for women's national teams held historically every four years, now every two years, by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).[1] The tournament, originally known as the ISF Women's World Championship, was sanctioned by the International Softball Federation (ISF) until that body's 2013 merger with the International Baseball Federation to create the WBSC. The number of teams in the tournament began at five in its inaugural event in 1965, went to a high of 28 for the 1994 edition, and now the WBSC Code legislates that the maximum number of teams that may participate is 16. There are qualifying tournaments that determine which countries will play at the World Cup.

History

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A women's softball world championship predates the ISF's event. A championship was held in Canada between several American and Canadian teams in 1952 and 1953.[2] Australia had also hosted an international tournament that predated the first Women's World Championship.[3][4]

In 1965, the first ISF Women's World Championship was held in Melbourne, with games being played at Albert Park.[5][6][7] Five nations competed at the inaugural championships including the United States, Japan and Australia, which Australia won 1–0 in a final game against the United States.[6][7][8] In the game, Australia was held to only two hits while the United States had four.[7] Lorraine Woolley was named the player of the tournament.[7] The inaugural men's championship would occur one year later in Mexico.[5]

In 1970, ten countries participated. The Japanese won competition after having twelve consecutive wins and beating the Americans 3–0 in a final game spectated by 30,000 people.[8]

In 1974, the Americans knocked out the Australians during the semi-finals, when they beat them by a score of 6–0.[9]

Taiwan's leadership discussed inviting China to compete at the 1982 competition which was the country was hosting. Ching-khou and Wang Shen supported mainland China's participation in the event and an invitation was issued but the Chinese government elected to not send a team.[10]

The 1990 edition was the seventh to be held, with six countries having played hosts to the competition.[11]

Teams that competed in 1990 included the US, New Zealand, China, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Bahamas, Netherlands Antilles, Mexico, Aruba, Bermuda, Indonesia, Argentina, and Zimbabwe.[12] The United States took home gold, New Zealand silver and China bronze.[12] The Soviet Union had a representative attend the 1990 competition and promise that a Soviet side would be competing at the next championships.[12]

The 2006 edition was very important as the Championships were used for Olympic qualifying, with the top four finishers going to the Olympic Games. In 2006, the fourth-place finishers automatically qualified to the Games because China was the Olympic Games based on that. Thus, there was a battle for fifth place between Canada and Italy for Olympic qualifications. In the match for fifth, Canada won 3-0 and earned their fourth consecutive trip to the Olympics.[13]

A world championships is just as tough as any Olympics you attend, the only thing different is at the Olympics you just don't have the same magnitude of hype around it.

Kere Johanson, Australian softball national team coach[14]

Teams that will be competing at the 2012 edition include Australia, Canada and Japan who will play in the same pool.[14][15] The competition was scheduled to act as a replacement for the Olympics.[14]

Results

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Australia won the competition in 1965. The victory was considered very impressive as they beat the Americans, who invented the game in 1887, to win the championship.[16] Japan won in 1970, while the 1974 and 1978 editions were won by the United States, the American side also won seven championships in a row from 1988 to 2010,[17][18][19][20] with the USA's most recent victory being a 3–2 win over Japan in the finals in 2022.[19] Other countries that have won it include Japan in 1970, 2012, 2014, and 2024 and New Zealand in 1982.[21] Teams that have finished second include the US in 1965, 1970, 2012 2014, and 2024, Japan in 1974, 2002, 2006 and 2010, Canada in 1978, Taiwan in 1982, China in 1986 and 1994, New Zealand in 1990, and Australia in 1998.[19][21] Countries that have finished third include the Philippines in 1970, China in 1990 and Chinese Taipei in 2002 and 2022.

Year Final Host Medalists
Champions Final score Runners-up 3rd place
1965
Details 		Australia
Melbourne
Australia 		1–0
United States
Japan
1970
Details 		Japan
Osaka
Japan 		1–0
United States
Philippines
1974
Details 		United States
Stratford
United States 		3–0
Japan
Australia
1978
Details 		El Salvador
San Salvador
United States 		4–0
Canada
New Zealand
1982
Details 		Taiwan
Taipei
New Zealand 		2–0
Chinese Taipei
Australia
1986
Details 		New Zealand
Auckland
United States 		2–0
China
New Zealand
1990
Details 		United States
Normal
United States 		*
New Zealand
China
1994
Details 		Canada
St. John's
United States 		6–0
China
Australia
1998
Details 		Japan
Fujinomiya
United States 		1–0
Australia
Japan
2002
Details 		Canada
Saskatoon
United States 		1–0
Japan
Chinese Taipei
2006
Details 		China
Beijing
United States 		3–0
Japan
Australia
2010
Details 		Venezuela
Caracas
United States 		7–0
Japan
Canada
2012
Details 		Canada
Whitehorse
Japan 		2–1
(F/10)
United States
Australia
2014
Details 		Netherlands
Haarlem
Japan 		4–1
United States
Australia
2016
Details 		Canada
Surrey
United States 		7–3
Japan
Canada
2018
Details 		Japan
Chiba
United States 		7–6
(F/10)
Japan
Canada
2022
Details[22] 		United States
Birmingham
United States 		3–2
Japan
Chinese Taipei
2024
Details 		Italy
Castions di Strada & Buttrio
Japan 		6–1
United States
Canada
* 1990: Rain washed out the grand final, leading USA to win based on its record in round-robin play.[23]

Medal table

[edit]
Laura Berg won the competition four times as part of the United States women's national softball team.
RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 United States125017
2 Japan47213
3 Australia1168
4 New Zealand1124
5 China0213
6 Canada0145
7 Chinese Taipei0123
8 Philippines0011
Totals (8 entries)18181854

Hosting

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The 1970 edition was hosted by Japan in Osaka.[21] The 1974 edition was played in Stratford, United States.[21] The 1978 games were played in San Salvador, El Salvador.[21] The 1982 competition was hosted by in Chinese Taipei in Taipei.[10][21] The 1986 edition was hosted by New Zealand and held in Auckland.[20][21][24] In 1990, the competition was played in Normal, Illinois.[20][21] The 1994 edition was played in St. John's, Newfoundland.[20][21][25] Japan hosted the 1998 competition in Fujinomiya.[20][21] The 2002 Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada.[21] China hosted the 2006 Championships in Beijing.[21] The 2010 edition was hosted by Venezuela. The 2012 championship took place in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. The 2014 championships were held in Haarlem, Netherlands. The 2016 tournament was held in Surrey, British Columbia.[26] The 2018 tournament was held in Chiba, Japan. The 2022 tournament was held in Birmingham, Alabama. The 2024 tournament was held in Castions di Strada and Buttrio, Italy.[27]

Participating nations

[edit]
Team 1965 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2022[22] 2024 Years
 Argentina 19th 21st 14th 14th 4
 Aruba 16th 1
 Australia 1st 4th 3rd 5th 3rd 8th 4th 3rd 2nd 5th 3rd 6th 3rd 3rd 10th 4th 4th 8th 18
 Austria 27th 18th 2
 Bahamas 7th 12th 13th 14th 4
 Belgium 13th 13th 2
 Belize 9th 1
 Bermuda 11th 11th 17th 24th 4
 Botswana 20th 14th 16th 14th 16th 18th 6
 Brazil 11th 1
 Canada 8th 7th 2nd 8th 4th 7th 4th 5th 9th 5th 3rd 4th 4th 3rd 3rd 6th 3rd 17
 China 2nd 3rd 2nd 4th 4th 4th 4th 5th 7th 8th 10th 6th 12
 Chinese Taipei 6th 5th 4th 2nd 6th 5th 5th 7th 3rd 8th 7th 7th 5th 12th 9th 3rd 16th 17
 Colombia 17th 17th 12th w 3
 Croatia 28th 1
 Cuba 10th 10th 9th 12th 16th 14th 6
 Czech Republic 18th 11th 15th 10th 9th 10th 17th 7
 Denmark 17th 1
 Dominican Republic 16th 16th 16th 11th 4
 Ecuador 22nd 1
 El Salvador 10th 6th 2
 France 22nd 23rd 2
 Great Britain 23rd 10th 11th 13th 16th 13th 11th 15th 8
 Greece 9th 19th 2
 Guam 18th 1
 Guatemala 12th 10th 20th 3
 India 29th 1
 Indonesia 19th 11th 18th 3
 Israel 30th 1
 Ireland 26th 17th 2
 Italy 8th 8th 10th 8th 11th 6th 7th 6th 10th 9th 15th 7th 7th 7th 14
 Japan 3rd 1st 2nd 9th 6th 7th 3rd 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 16
 Kenya 27th 1
 Malaysia 20th 1
 Mexico 5th 12th 15th 16th 5th 6th 8th 7
 Moldova 25th 1
 Nauru 22nd 1
 Netherlands Antilles 14th 12th 10th 12th 4
 Netherlands 6th 6th 7th 7th 9th 8th 9th 11th 12th 8th 6th 6th 4th 8th 4th 15
 New Zealand 4th 7th 9th 3rd 1st 3rd 2nd 6th 13th 6th 11th 12th 12th 8th 7th 13th 11th 17
Territory of New Guinea New Guinea 5th 1
 Nicaragua 15th 14th 2
 North Korea 13th 1
 Pakistan 31st 1
 Panama 13th 15th 2
 Peru 21st 1
 Philippines 3rd 4th 5th 12th 16th 14th 14th 10th 8
 Puerto Rico 13th 11th 5th 11th 9th 8th 8th 15th 9th 5th 5th 5th 12
 Russia 13th 13th 2
 Serbia 25th 1
 Singapore 23rd 1
 South Africa 10th 15th 14th 15th 15th 15th 15th 12th 8
 South Korea 15th 14th 2
 Spain 19th 13th 2
 Sweden 21st 16th 2
  Switzerland 28th 1
 Uganda 24th 1
 Ukraine 26th 1
 United States 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 4th 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 2nd 18
 U.S. Virgin Islands 14th 1
 Venezuela 15th 9th 8th 10th 7th 5th 11th 6th 12th 9th 10
 Zambia 9th 14th 2
 Zimbabwe 12th 20th 2
Total: 63 countries 5 9 15 15 23 12 20 28 17 16 16 16 16 16 31 16 8 18

q: Qualified, w: Withdrew

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "WBSC Softball World Cups 2021 - 2029". WBSC - World Baseball Softball Confederation. World Baseball Softball Confederation. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  2. ^ Margaret Ann Hall (2002). The girl and the game: a history of women's sport in Canada. University of Toronto Press. pp. 126–127. ISBN 978-1-55111-268-8. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  3. ^ Stell, Marion K. (1991). Half the Race, A history of Australian women in sport. North Ryde, Australia: HarperCollins. p. 209. ISBN 0207169713.
  4. ^ Pollard, Jack (1968). AMPOL book of Australian Sporting Records. Sydney: The Pollard Publishing Co. pp. 273–274. OCLC 71140.
  5. ^ a b 马国力 (2004). 体育英语. 清华大学出版社. p. 59. ISBN 978-7-302-08926-1. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  6. ^ a b Kelly Boyer Sagert; Steven J. Overman (28 February 2012). Icons of Women's Sport. ABC-CLIO. p. 375. ISBN 978-0-313-38549-0. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d Cashman, Richard (2001). Australian sport through time. Milsons Point, N.S.W.: Random House Australia. p. 334. ISBN 1740514459. OCLC 223005022.
  8. ^ a b Arlott, John (1975). The Oxford companion to sports and games. London; New York: Oxford University Press. p. 978. ISBN 0192115383. OCLC 1583084.
  9. ^ Cashman, Richard (2001). Australian sport through time. Milsons Point, N.S.W.: Random House Australia. p. 370. ISBN 1740514459. OCLC 223005022.
  10. ^ a b Jay Taylor (2000). The Generalissimo's son: Chiang Ching-kuo and the revolutions in China and Taiwan. Harvard University Press. p. 370. ISBN 978-0-674-00287-6. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  11. ^ Marty Gitlin; Karen (CON) Johns (15 July 2011). Girls Play to Win Softball. Norwood House Press. pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-1-59953-465-7. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  12. ^ a b c "International Softball Federation - ISF". Internationalsoftball.com. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  13. ^ "International Softball Federation". Internationalsoftball.com. 2006-09-05. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  14. ^ a b c Rees, Courtney. "Swapping London games for Canberra". Canberra Times. Canberra, Australia. p. 20.
  15. ^ "Australian Open Women's Squad 2012". Australia: Softball Australia. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  16. ^ Viney, Nigel; Grant, Neil (1978). An illustrated history of ball games. London: Heinemann. pp. 97–98. ISBN 0434969400. OCLC 5125714.
  17. ^ David L. Porter (30 March 2004). Latino and African American athletes today: a biographical dictionary. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 106–. ISBN 978-0-313-32048-4. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  18. ^ Paula Edelson (2002). A to Z of American Women in Sports. Infobase Publishing. pp. 79–. ISBN 978-1-4381-0789-9. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  19. ^ a b c "Team USA earns 7th straight world softball title - ESPN". ESPN. 2010-07-03. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  20. ^ a b c d e Ernestine G. Miller (29 May 2002). Making her mark: firsts and milestones in women's sports. McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-07-139053-8. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l White, Patrick (2005). Chambers sports factfinder. Edinburgh: Chambers. pp. 542–543. ISBN 0550101616. OCLC 58052551.
  22. ^ a b "The World Games to serve as world championship". theworldgames.org. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  23. ^ "ISF VII WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP". Retrieved 2007-02-03.
  24. ^ George B. Kirsch; Othello Harris; Claire Elaine Nolte (April 2000). Encyclopedia of ethnicity and sports in the United States. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 375–. ISBN 978-0-313-29911-7. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  25. ^ Congressional Record. Government Printing Office. pp. 24996–. GGKEY:QQLDQYTX3ST. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  26. ^ Judi Garman; Michelle Gromacki (22 February 2011). Softball Skills & Drills. Human Kinetics. pp. 314–. ISBN 978-0-7360-9074-2. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  27. ^ "XVII WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals to be played in July 2024 in Italy". WBSC. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
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