Newly-built softball facilities will be ready in time for the II World University Softball Championship in Taiwan in July. (Photo courtesy of Tainan City Government Public Works Bureau)

TOURNEY IN TAIWAN IN 2 WEEKS
2006-06-30

Over a year-and-a-half ago, the 1st World University Softball Championship was wrapping up at the International Softball Federation’s (ISF) world headquarters complex in Plant City, Florida. When the teams had all gone, the sport’s world governing body could only sit and wait to get a true measure of the event’s success.

Fast forward to the present day and the ISF is looking toward a bright future for international competition for college-level athletes. The October 2004 tournament not only satisfied FISU officials enough to hold another world university softball championship – beginning two weeks from tomorrow – but they (International University Sports Federation) also have this one being followed by a debut for the sport in one of the largest multisport events. Next year in Bangkok, women’s softball will be on the programme at the 24th World University Games.

For the time being, all eyes are on Tainan City, Taiwan, where seven teams will compete from July 15-23. The II World University Softball Championship coincides with the unveiling of the newest softball stadium that has been built there (see photo above). The new sports complex project actually includes two standard softball fields, as well as two practice fields. An athlete village will be set up in Chang-jung Christian University.

Taking part in this year’s tournament will be Australia, Chinese Taipei, Dominican Republic, Japan, South Africa, Thailand, and USA. ISF President Don Porter will be on-hand to view part of the tournament and will also lead an induction ceremony for Chinese Taipei’s Steeve Hsieh, who was part of the newest class of ISF Hall of Fame electees (as an administrator) at last October’s XXII ISF Congress.

Each of Chinese Taipei’s games will be televised.

For more information on the II World University Softball Championship, visit the official event website.