Finch Calls For Olympic Reinstatement

This past weekend in Los Angeles at the International Olympic Committee’s 5th World Conference on Women and Sport, two-time Olympic softball medalist Jennie Finch (Team USA, gold – 2004, silver – 2008) joined former gymnast Nadia Comaneci and figure skater Michelle Kwan in receiving the “Power of I” award. During her remarks, the American pitcher called for the reinstatement of softball to the Olympic programme. Her complete speech follows: … Continue Reading

Tarango’s Grand Slam Gives USA Gold At Junior World National Championships

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The United States claimed the 2011 International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Women’s World Championship today in Cape Town, South Africa, with a 4-1 defeat of Japan in the Gold Medal Game. After a semifinal loss to Japan on Friday, the Americans topped Chinese Taipei 12-3 in the six inning Bronze Medal Game and then topped Japan to secure the Gold Medal.

“This is one of the greatest days of my life,” designated player Cheyenne Tarango (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) said. … Continue Reading

White Throws Perfect Game Against Botswana To Help Team USA Improve To 5-0

CAPE TOWN — The United States thumped Botswana 17-0 in three innings Monday at the 2011 International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Women’s World Championship in Cape Town, South Africa. Nyree White (Eugene, Ore.) threw a perfect game, striking out three, to help the team remain undefeated after five pool play games.

“The team put up a ton of runs today so it was pretty easy for me just going out there throwing strikes,” White said. “I wanted to use my defense, roll up ground balls, which is the same approach that I usually have. I wanted to make sure that we got back in the dugout so we could keep scoring some more runs.” … Continue Reading

USA Blanks Host South Africa At Junior World Championships

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – With the momentum of five two-out hits in the fourth inning, the United States overcame a slow start to beat South Africa 8-0 in five innings Sunday. The win over the well-supported home country at the 2011 International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Women’s World Championship in Cape Town, South Africa, improves Team USA’s record to 4-0 in pool play with three games remaining.

The Red, White and Blue had only one hit each in the first, second and third innings. In the top of the fourth with two-outs, designated player Lauren Haeger (Phoenix, Ariz.) singled up the middle to start the American rally. Cheyenne Cordes (Fairfield, Calif.) followed with a centerfield triple, the first of six extra base hits for the team, and put the first run on the board. … Continue Reading

Team USA Wins First Game At Junior Women’s World Championships

CAPE TOWN – In their first contest of the 2011 International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Women’s World Championship in Cape Town, South Africa, the USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team defeated Canada 11-4 in five innings Thursday. The bottom of the fifth started with a Kourtney Salvarola (Arnold, Md.) single up the middle and ended on a similar note, a walk-off Salvarola single up the middle that scored Kylee Lahners (Laguna Hills, Calif.). … Continue Reading

ISF To Stream USA Games

12/7/2011

CAPE TOWN — The local organizing committee for the IX International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Women’s World Championship (19-Under) in Cape Town, South Africa, announced that five of the 2011 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team’s pool play games will be webcast live through the official tournament website … Continue Reading

USA Captures Seventh Straight Pan American Gold Medal

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Courtesy of ASA/USA Softball – With a Pan American Games roster full of 17 rookies, the USA Softball Women’s National team recorded the program’s eighth Pan American Games gold medal with an 11-1 run-rule victory over Canada. In four innings, the U.S. put up 11 hits and completed the tournament with a perfect 9-0 record. As a team, they hit an impressive .428 throughout the week outscoring opponents 78-8. The pitching staff held opponents to a .145 batted average and recorded five shutout victories. … Continue Reading

International Lineups Set For World Cup Of Softball VI In Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY — When the World Cup of Softball VI opens July 21 in Oklahoma City, Olympic Champions and International Softball Federation (ISF) Women’s World Championship medalists will be among the athletes on the field at the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America Hall of Fame Stadium. The ASA announced today that athletes slated to compete July 21-25 include Japan’s Yukiko Ueno, the Gold Medal winning pitcher in the 2008 Olympic Games, and Australia’s Stacey Porter, an Olympic Silver and Bronze Medalist who has represented her country since 2002.
… Continue Reading

Umpires Announced

OKLAHOMA CITY — Thirteen umpires from five countries will partake in the World Cup of Softball VI and Border Battle III in Oklahoma City, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today. The World Cup of Softball, a women’s fast pitch event that includes six countries, is July 21-25 at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium while the men’s slow pitch Border Battle is July 23.

“The World Cup of Softball VI and Border Battle III showcase the world’s best teams in fast pitch and slow pitch,” ASA Supervisor of Umpires Kevin Ryan said. “To be selected as an umpire for either of the events is an honor and a privilege, something that every umpire should aspire to. To be able to umpire with umpires from around the United States and around the world is a thrill these 13 umpires will cherish for the rest of their careers.” … Continue Reading

World Cup Tickets Go On Sale

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla., will again play host to the premier international softball teams in the world when the World Cup of Softball returns for a sixth run July 21-25. … Continue Reading

Caitlin Lowe To Leave USA Softball

Caitlin Lowe is one of my favorite players on Team USA. She is not my favorite player because of his skills, or abilities on the field. It is not her leadership, … Continue Reading

USA Tested, But Tops Mexico at Junior Worlds Qualifying

BOGOTA, Colombia — Despite a performance that included seven errors, the 2010-11 USA Softball Women’s Junior National Team beat Mexico 15-3 in six innings to improve to 4-0 at the III Pan American Championship (18-Under) in Bogota, Colombia. Team USA closes out pool play Thursday with a doubleheader against Canada and Brazil. … Continue Reading

Team USA Clinches Berth in World Cup Title Game Despite Falling to Canada

OKLAHOMA CITY — The USA Softball Women’s National Team has secured a spot in the championship game of the 2010 KFC World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City, despite a Sunday outing that saw the ISF 2010 Women’s World Champions fall to Canada. The Americans lost 5-2 at the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Hall of Fame Stadium but still clinched the No. 1 tournament seed when Japan topped Canada 4-0 in the night cap. … Continue Reading

USA Blanks Japan For World Title And Canada Takes Bronze

CARACAS, VENEZUELA — Team USA posted a 7-0 victory over Japan here tonight to take the gold medals at the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship. Canada took home the bronze medals after falling to Japan, 12-3, in the game that allowed the winners to advance to face the Americans.

The tournament began ten days ago with 16 countries participating. … Continue Reading

Canada Will Earn 1ST WWC Medal Since 1978

CARACAS, VENEZUELA — It wasn’t enough for Canada to go home from here with a medal finish. They assured that a bronze, silver, or gold will be hung around their necks tomorrow night by posting two dramatic playoff wins today at the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship.

Canada eliminated China tonight, 1-0, by scoring the game’s only run with two out in the bottom of the seventh inning after having come from behind earlier today to post a bottom of the seventh 3-2 win over Australia. … Continue Reading

Dutch & Taipei Eliminated; Final Six Move To Second-Last Day

CARACAS, VENEZUELA — The International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship being played here hit the playoff stage today with three of the four games being decided by a combined total of just four runs and one of them having needed an extra inning.

The results today set things up for tomorrow’s second-last day and also eliminated two teams, adding to the eight that didn’t make it to the playoffs.

Coming off of a perfect round robin performance (7-0 won-lost record), Japan continued their winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Venezuela, who had gone 6-1. … Continue Reading

Eight Now Headed For Playoffs

CARACAS, VENEZUELA — Eights are definitely wild at this point of the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship being played here.

The final eight round robin games played today helped determine the order of finish for the eight teams that have advanced to the playoffs while eight teams are now finished playing. Eight games will take place over the next two days, setting up the two biggest ones on Friday (July 2), when the gold, silver, and bronze medalists will all be crowned. … Continue Reading

One Day Left In Round Robin Play

CARACAS, VENEZUELA – The sixth day of games at the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship here started with a shutout, ended with a shutout, and had lots of offense in between.

All 16 countries were in action again today in the ten-day event that culminates with Friday’s medal games (July 2). … Continue Reading

World Championship Day 4 Recap

CARACAS, VENEZUELA — The International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship hits the halfway point tomorrow in terms of it being day five of ten but following ten games today, teams are hitting the halfway point in round robin play.

Sixteen countries are participating in the fast pitch tournament, with eight teams in each pool. With one game against each team in their pool, teams are playing seven round robin games. … Continue Reading

Japan Wins Battle Of The Unbeatens

Just 24 hours after a recap reporting Canada, Japan, and USA being the teams still holding unbeaten records thus far at the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship being played here, the Canadians are now gone from that list.

Japan got a complete-game, seven-strikeout performance from pitcher Mika Someya and a fifth inning Ayumi Karino single that scored Shizuyo Hamamoto to drop Team Canada to 4-1. The winners had taken a 1-0 lead when Satoko Mabuchi scored in the bottom of the fourth, but Canada came right back in the top of the fifth when Jennifer Yee drove in Melanie Matthews. … Continue Reading

Olympic Rematches Highlight Day 3 Games

CARACAS, VENEZUELA — Two days ago was Olympic Day although that could’ve been the theme of today’s ten games played at the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship being played here.

The Day 3 schedule saw four of the ten games bringing teams back together who faced each other during the Olympic softball competition almost two years ago in Beijing. … Continue Reading

Zeros Erased Over WWC Day 2’s Ten Games

CARACAS, VENEZUELA — They say that defense wins championships so it would seem that pitching might be the key to winning the International Softball Federation’s 16-nation XII Women’s World Championship being played here. However, after four shutout decisions opened Day 2 of the ten-day tournament, offenses started taking over. … Continue Reading

Japan & Venezuela Are Day 1 WWC Winners

CARACAS, VENEZUELA — Two games wrapped around Opening Ceremonies that rivaled those of the world’s top sporting events comprised day one of ten at the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship here.

Japan defeated Argentina this afternoon, 13-1, before the host team thrilled the capacity crowd at Independence Stadium with a 1-0 victory over the Dominican Republic. … Continue Reading

ASA Unveils Rosters For 2010 Canadian Open, Japan Cup

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today the 20 athletes who will represent the United States this summer at competitions and exhibitions in Canada and Japan. The athletes, who are members of the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team and the Women’s Future National Team, will participate in three events over two months: Canadian Open Fast Pitch International Championship, July 7-11, in Surrey, B.C.; exhibition games, July 13-14, Whitehorse, Yukon; and Japan Cup, August 3-9, in Sendai City, Japan. … Continue Reading

World Championships Game Schedule Set

PLANT CITY, FLORIDA (USA) — The full list of 66 games that will be played at the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship was announced today by the sport’s world governing body. Caracas, Venezuela, will host the ten-day competition (June 23-July 2), which will consist of national teams from 16 different countries.

The first game will feature Japan against Argentina, and Opening Ceremonies will also take place that day. Team USA comes in as the defending world champions, having defeated Japan in the gold medal game of the last edition of the event, which took place four years ago in Beijing, China. Just two years later, however, in that same stadium, Japan would avenge the 2006 loss by capturing the Olympic softball gold medal with a 3-1 victory over the Americans. The two teams are in separate pools for this year’s world championship, however, so the opportunity to go head-to-head wouldn’t come until a possible playoff matchup. … Continue Reading

Umpires Named For World Championship Tournament in Venezuela

PLANT CITY, FLORIDA (USA) — The countdown to the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship has hit 100 days. In just over three months Caracas, Venezuela, will host national teams from 16 different countries, competing for ten days (June 23-July 2).

The number of days until the first pitch ticking down to the century mark today is marked by the announcement of the men and women that have been chosen to umpire in the marquee ISF event. The group includes on-field officials from 15 different countries and will be supervised by ISF Director of Umpires Bob Stanton. They are: … Continue Reading

Seedings Set For World Championship

PLANT CITY, FLORIDA (USA) — In 111 days 16 countries will begin vying to be called “number 1.” Thus, preparations are nearing a fever pitch in Caracas, Venezuela, which will host the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship from June 23-July 2.

A 2010 World Championship Coordination Commission has just returned from a visit this past weekend to the South American country. ISF Secretary General Ms. LOW Beng Choo (Malaysia) headed the group that visited for two days with Venezuelan Sports Minister Victoria Mata, General Alirio Ramirez, Colonel Benavidez, and several organizing committee representatives, along with ISF VP/Latin America Jésus Suniaga, who is also the president of the Venezuela Softball Federation. … Continue Reading

White Rock Renegades to Host 2010 Replacement Tournaments for Canada Cup Futures and Showcase Divisions

(Surrey, BC.) With the recent announcement of the cancellation of the Women’s Division of the 2010 Canada Cup International Women’s Fastpitch Tournament, the original Host Team, the White Rock Renegades, will continue what the Canada Cup Host Committee worked so hard to achieve with their two youth divisions by forming a new committee to host the 2010 Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship. This will include a Futures (U19) Division and a Showcase (16U) Division.

The 2010 Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship will be held from July 5 – 11 in Surrey, British Columbia and will carry on the Canada Cup spirit of promoting the development of the great game of softball by helping young female athletes reach for their personal best. … Continue Reading

USA Softball Announces 2010 Roster and Schedule for Women’s National Team

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America is pleased to announce the roster and schedule for the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team, which will kick off the season with exhibition games in Ohio, June 16-17. The team consists of 14 members from the 2009 USA Softball National Team who helped capture the Canada Cup and World Cup of Softball Gold Medals during 2009.

In addition to the 14 returnees, 2004 Olympic Champion and 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo, Calif.) makes her return to USA Softball after taking a year off for the birth of her child. Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif.) makes her first-ever appearance on a USA Softball roster while Tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo.) is in her first year as a National Team member after representing the USA at the Pan American Qualifier last year. … Continue Reading

Canada Cup International Women’s Fastpitch Tournament (Women’s Division) Cancelled for 2010

Surrey, BC – The 17th Annual Canada Cup International Women’s Fastpitch Tournament (Women’s Division) has been cancelled for 2010 due to a change in the International Softball Federation dates for the Xll Women’s World Championships. “It is with great regret and after much deliberation due to the changes made by the International Softball Federation schedule that I have decided not to proceed with the 2010 Canada Cup and have informed Softball Canada and the Canada Cup Host Committee of this decision,“ stated Chairman, Glen Todd. “We reviewed all of our options and in the end concluded that we had no choice but to cancel the Women’s tournament. We are exploring the possibilities of staging the Canada Cup once again in 2011.” … Continue Reading

ASA Announces Athletes And Alternates For 2010 WNT

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today the 17 athletes that were offered a USA Softball Athlete Agreement for the 2010 season. The final roster for the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team will be announced in March with the team competing in the ISF Women’s World Championships, June 23-July 2, 2010 in Caracas, Venezuela as well as other events to be scheduled at a later date.
… Continue Reading

Whitehorse Named Site of 2012 Women’s World Softball Showdown

PLANT CITY, Fla. – Whitehorse was named Wednesday by the International Softball Federation as the host city for the 2012 women’s world championship.

ISF president Don Porter said Whitehorse’s track record in hosting a successful 2008 junior men’s worlds helped its bid.

“Whitehorse will do a terrific job hosting our women’s world championship in 2012,” said Porter. “They proved as much when they organized our junior men’s world championship in 2008. Plus the community’s support for softball and their proven ability as a site for large sporting and cultural events assures us that our teams, the fans, and the media will all have a good experience that summer.” … Continue Reading

2010 World Championship Set For Venezuela

PLANT CITY, FLORIDA (USA) — The International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship will be held June 23-July 2, 2010 in Caracas, Venezuela. The official announcement follows ISF President Don Porter’s trip to the new host site last week.

In Caracas the ISF president met with representatives of the federal government, including Sports Minister Victoria Mata, along with Venezuela Softball Federation President Jesús Suniaga, finalizing details on a contract for next year’s event, which marks the 45th anniversary of the first ever softball world championship.

The sports minister expressed her pleasure at taking on the tournament and said that Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, who has two daughters that play softball, is personally supporting the event. … Continue Reading

Canadian Softball Team Gets New Coach

Canada’s men’s softball team named Saskatoon native Don Bates as head coach Monday.

Bates has been an assistant coach with the team since 2006 and also served on the women’s Olympic team in 2008. He replaces Mark Smith, who stepped down earlier this year to become head coach of the women’s team.

“The program has a rich tradition of being one of the best in the world,” Bates said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Canada’s top male softball athletes as we begin our initial preparation for the 2013 ISF World Championship in New Zealand.” … Continue Reading

Iran Makes Debut In Asian Softball Championship

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Play has begun here at the 4th Asian Jr. Women’s Softball Championship (19-and-under) with Iran making their debut in such a regional, fast pitch tournament, alongside eight other countries.

The sport is demonstrating its adaptability with the event being played on a football (soccer) field that is being converted to softball for purposes of hosting this championship.

“This is another great showcase for our sport,” said International Softball Federation Secretary General Ms. LOW Beng Choo. “The strong showing from around this region and the application of our transformable venue option solidifies softball’s place on the international sporting landscape. There are high hopes for the week ahead.” … Continue Reading

Players, And Coach Of Disgraced Softball Team To Be Disciplined

The female softball players sent home from the Bahamas in disgrace after fighting in their hotel and walking off the field are to face disciplinary action, along with their coach.

Stephanie Trott, public relations officer of the Bermuda Amateur Softball Association (BASA), told The Royal Gazette that disciplinary hearings would be held for all the players and coach Braxton Stowe would “definitely be held on a disciplinary charge”.

She alleged that Mr. Stowe instructed the team to leave the field during the opening ceremony of the English Speaking Caribbean Amateur Softball Tournament on October 29 as a “solid protest” against BASA officials — a claim he denied yesterday.
… Continue Reading

New Logo Unveiled For International Softball Federation

PLANT CITY, FLORIDA (USA) — A new identity has begun for the International Softball Federation following today’s launch of a new logo for the sport’s world governing body.

Coming on the heels of the XXIV ISF Congress in Venezuela where new officials were elected and a new constitution was adopted, softball’s top organization has a new forward direction, marked – figuratively and literally – by the re-branding efforts that are beginning today.

The logo – shown at the top of this release – carries over the green from the previous ISF mark, while now incorporating four other colors. Created by a designer from Spain, the new identity also includes the ball portion of the logo previously used for BackSoftball, the Olympic reinstatement campaign. … Continue Reading

2010 World Championship Dates, And Site Changing

PLANT CITY, FLORIDA (USA) — International Softball Federation President Don Porter and Amateur Softball Association/USA Softball Executive Director Ron Radigonda announced today that the 2010 ISF Women’s World Championship originally scheduled for July 16-26 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA) will have to be pushed back to a later date and new location due to a conflict with the XXI Central American & Caribbean Games July 17–August 1 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

The softball competition at the multi-sport event includes three teams (Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela) that have also qualified for the 2010 Women’s World Championship. In order to ensure complete participation for the sport at this marquee event – which will mark the 45-year anniversary of the first ISF Women’s World Championship – the event needed to be moved to a later date and different site. … Continue Reading

Sweeping Changes At ISF Congress

MARGARITA ISLAND, VENEZUELA – The retention of the world governing body’s leader, a new secretary general, and various changes among the regional vice presidents were part of the many developments coming out of the just-concluded XXIV International Softball Federation Congress held here. It was also revealed that extensive re-branding efforts will commence shortly, featuring a new ISF logo and revamped website.

In addition, the delegates approved a constitution that took effect immediately and they awarded two future world championships. Plus, a new class was elected to the ISF Hall of Fame. There were also changes to the playing rules, and visits from special guests. The latter included Venezuela Sports Minister Victoria Mata, Venezuela Olympic Committee President Dr. Eduardo Álvarez, and Venezuela Olympic Committee Vice President Mrs. Elida de Álvarez. … Continue Reading

Japan Tops Dutch For Youth Title

Japan won the Easton Foundation Youth Softball World Cup with a victory over the Netherlands in the gold medal game two days ago in the Czech Republic. The eleven-nation tournament began on August 9 and consisted of teams whose participants were age 16-and-under. The Dutch team had advanced to the event’s final game with 5-4 victory over Puerto Rico that required an extra inning and left Puerto Rico with the bronze medals.

Other countries that played in the event were Canada, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Italy, Russia, South Africa, and Venezuela. Czech National TV aired selected games from the tournament through the country. For more information, including game-by-game results and much more, visit the official event website at http://ywc.softball.cz/index1.php?akce=1.

Please visit our sponsor

ESPN Records Solid Audiences For World Cup, Border Battle

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) has announced the audience numbers for the KFC World Cup of Softball presented by Six Flags and the Men’s Slow Pitch Border Battle which aired July 16-20 on ESPN and ESPN2 – and in high definition on ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD. With a combined 17 telecasts providing more than 34 hours of softball programming across both networks, ESPN’s five World Cup games averaged a 0.7 rating and 653,000 households, up 17% (0.6) and 9% (vs. 600,000), respectively, over ESPN’s coverage of the 2007 World Cup of Softball. The inaugural Men’s Slow Pitch Border battle on ESPN recorded a 0.7 as a standalone game reaching over 650,000 households.

“The increases in our audience demonstrates that softball has a dedicated and passionate fan base that continues to grow,” said Carol Stiff, senior director, ESPN programming and acquisitions. “We are proud to be partners in such an exciting sport.” … Continue Reading

Softball’s Olympic Dream Shattered

The following is a media statement from Don Porter. I think it speaks for itself.

Don Porter, President of the International Softball Federation (ISF)

“We will continue to pursue our Olympic dream”

Berlin, (Germany); 13th August 2009: The president of the International Softball Federation, Don Porter, issued the following statement today following the decision by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board that did not include softball among the two sports that will be recommended to the IOC Session in October for a vote on sports to be added to the 2016 Olympic Games Programme: … Continue Reading

ISF Signs Historic Agreement With Olympafrica

BERLIN, GERMANY — The International Softball Federation has signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding with Olympafrica International Foundation to promote sports development in Africa.

The ISF will provide equipment and softball coaches will undertake workshops in 14 different African countries including Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Lesotho, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Sudan, and Zambia. … Continue Reading

BackSoftball Team Arrives In Berlin For Landmark IOC Decision

Berlin, (Germany); 11th August 2009: Representatives of the BackSoftball campaign have arrived in Berlin as part of the most crucial week in the efforts for the sport’s reinstatement onto the Olympic Games Programme in 2016.

International Softball Federation President Don Porter arrived from Prague, where he attended the opening of the Easton Foundation Youth Softball World Cup, which features eleven (age) 16-and-under girls teams from five continents competing in a fast pitch tournament. … Continue Reading