FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2004

OLYMPICS CONCLUDED, ISF NOW SETS SIGHTS ON
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN PLANT CITY
Event Next Month Will Draw Teams & VIPs From Around The World

With the International Softball Federation (ISF) having wrapped things up and returned from the Olympic Softball competition in Athens, Greece, the sport’s world governing body is getting right back to work on the next major event, next month’s World University Softball Championship.

Scheduled for October 26-31 at the ISF’s world headquarters in Plant City, Florida, this inaugural event will include a team from each of the following ten countries: Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Guatemala, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, Uganda, and USA. Participants in this women’s fast pitch competition will be between the ages of 17 and 28.

In addition, ISF President Don Porter has indicated that he has extended invitations to VIPs from other countries, putting this competition on the elite level that the ISF hopes organizers of the World University Games will find it to be. The hope is that next month’s event will lead to softball being added to the program of the World University Games.

While encouraging people from Plant City, Hillsborough County, and surrounding areas to come out to watch this high level, international event, the ISF is also putting the call out for volunteers who can work at any point(s) during the event. Admission to Plant City Stadium will be free, with a nominal $5.00 per car parking fee only. Volunteer information can be obtained by calling ISF Director of Competition Laurie Gouthro at (813) 864-0100, ext. 228.

The game schedule is expected to be set soon. Opening Ceremonies in Plant City Stadium will highlight the first day at 5:30 p.m., followed by games at 7:15 p.m. (in the stadium as well as at the adjacent Randy L. Larson Softball Fourplex).

Media accreditation applications have already been sent out, with a return deadline of October 15.

The ISF is the world governing body of the sport 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.