From the ISF
PLANT CITY, FLORIDA, November 1, 2008 - The International Softball Federation Executive Council has awarded the XII Women's World Championship to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, ISF President Don Porter announced today. The 2010 fast pitch event will mark the first time that any of the ISF's four world championships (men's, women's, junior men's, and junior women's) will have been played in the USA since the IX Men's World Championship in Michigan in 1996.
Oklahoma City beat out Jakarta, Indonesia, for the event that will be held just under two years from now.
"Other than the Olympics, the women's world championship is probably our highest profile event," the ISF president said. "Oklahoma City has experience with hosting major softball tournaments and the facilities there are excellent. This will surely be a memorable event for the participants as well as the spectators and media."
Mr. Porter added, "On behalf of the Council, we do, however, want to thank the Amateur Softball Association of Indonesia for what was also a very compelling bid."
The ISF XII Women's World Championship will be played in Don E. Porter Stadium at the ASA National Hall of Fame Complex from July 9-19, 2010. Team USA is the defending ISF world champion, having won the eleventh
edition of the event in 2006 in China when they broke a scoreless tie after five innings, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth en route to a 3-0 victory over Japan in the gold medal game.
Qualifying tournaments will take place around the world to determine the 16 teams that will compete in the 2010 event. Representation comes from five regions: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
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 131 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the
sport worldwide.
