FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 05, 2002

WORLDWIDE EXPOSURE OF WOMEN'S WORLD
SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CONTINUES
ESPN Picks Up Gold Medal Game

The International Softball Federation's (ISF) X Women's World Championship continues to be a success, months after its completion. ESPN has committed to broadcasts from the competition, it was announced today.

"ESPN is thrilled to televise the International Softball Federation World Championship. Over the years, softball at all levels has been a great sport for our networks and allows ESPN to showcase women competing at the highest level," said Carol Stiff, ESPN Program Manager, Programming & Acquisitions.

The gold medal game, between the United States and Japan will be broadcast on ESPN2 in January. The network is also currently scheduling an air-date on ESPN as well. Plus, the game will be distributed to ESPN International, allowing continued exposure in other countries.

The medal games were played on Sunday, August 4 in Bob Van Impe Stadium in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada). This event was significant not only because of it bringing to the winner the title of "world champion," but also because reaching the medals round qualified those three teams (Chinese Taipei won the bronze) plus China for the 2004 Summer Olympics, to be played in Athens, Greece.

The games were produced on-site by Hartland Productions. Tony Sellars calls the play-by-play and Elissa Walker-Campbell provides color commentary.

The International Softball Federation, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2002, is the governing body of softball internationally as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). Softball (women's fast pitch) made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. There are 124 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide.

For more information, please contact ISF Director of Communications Bruce Wawrzyniak at brucew@internationalsoftball.com or (813) 864-0100, ext. 229.