June: A month of Softball World Cup Qualifiers in Asia

With the first Co-ed Slow Pitch Asia Cup Softball tournament completed last week in Thailand, Asia will see plenty more softball action in the month of June with three continental World Cup qualifiers in the coming weeks. The U-15 Women’s Softball Asia Cup, the U-18 Men’s Softball Asia Cup and the senior Men’s Softball Asia Cup will decide the Asian representatives in the respective WBSC World Cups. 

The first of three events will be the U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup Asian qualifier. Seven teams will compete from 13-17 June at the Fu-Hsing Softball Stadium in Puli Township, Nantou, Taiwan, with two available spots un the World Cup. 

Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore and host Chinese Taipei will play a four-day round robin. The first and second placed teams after the completion of the preliminary round will play in the gold medal game, while the third and fourth placed teams will face off in the bronze medal game.

The top two teams (not counting Japan, already qualified as hosts) in the final standings will advance to the maiden WBSC U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup, slated for 21-29 October in Tokyo.

The U-18 Men’s Softball Asia Cup will be hosted at Haruno Softball Stadium, Kochi City, Japan, from 22-24 June with six participating teams: Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Philippines, Singapore and Chinese Taipei.

The top two teams in the final standings will advance to the XIV WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup, scheduled for 11-19 November in Hermosillo, Mexico. 

A day after the conclusion of the U-18 Men's event, the Men’s Softball Asia Cup will begin at the same venue with six teams in action: Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Philippines, Singapore and Chinese Taipei.

The Asian champions, runner-up and bronze medallists will qualify for the XVIII Men’s Softball World Cup, with the Group Stage being played in 2024 and the finals in 2025.