WBSC U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup Schedule Announced; Philippines v Czechia, Peru v Mexico to open tournament

Czechia, Mexico, Peru and the Philippines will have the honour of opening the inaugural WBSC U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup 2023 on 21 October in Tokyo, Japan following the unveiling of the official schedule for the tournament, which takes place from 21-29 October.

The Philippines will play Czechia at the Komazawa Olympic Park Sports Complex Baseball Stadium and Peru take on Mexico at the Setagaya City Okura Sports Center Baseball Ground at 09:30 on the opening day before eight more teams start their campaigns on the same day. Hosts Japan will play Chinese Taipei in Komazawa at 14:30 on the opening day.

The 12-team tournament consists of World No. 1 United States, No. 2 Japan, No. 3 Puerto Rico, No. 5 Chinese Taipei, No. 6 Mexico, No. 8 Italy, No. 10 Czechia, No. 16 Brazil, No. 21 Philippines and No. 23 New Zealand as well as unranked Uganda plus wild card, World No. 18 Peru.

The opening day games on Saturday, 21 October, will feature three games each in Groups A and B, with the first two games starting simultaneously at 09.30, followed by the opening ceremony at 13.00 and the Group A game of Japan at 14.30, and succeeded by games at 15.00, 17.30 and 18.00. The next three days will have a full four-game schedule in each venue.

The Super Round and Placement Round are scheduled from 26-28 October at Komazawa and Ota Stadiums. The Bronze Medal Game and the World Championship Final will be played at Ota Stadium on 29 October.

The WBSC U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup will feature the 40-feet pitching distance and the seven-inning game, which were two changes approved by the WBSC Executive Board for the age-bracket tournament.