CHINA
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Silver medalists when softball made its Olympic debut in 1996, the Chinese earned silver at the worlds two years earlier, then had four consecutive fourth-place finishes from 1998 to 2010. China was seventh at the last two worlds.
China is grouped in Pool G with Cuba, Guatemala, and Greece.
Round Robin schedule:
15 July at 3:30pm vs Guatemala
16 July at 10:00 vs Greece
17 July at 5:00pm vs Cuba
History:
WWC Appearances: 9
WWC Participation: 1986; 1990; 1994; 1998; 2002; 2006; 2010; 2012; 2014
Highest Finish: 2nd (1986 & 1994)
Previous Finish: 7th (2014)
Current World Rank: 6
CHINESE TAIPEI
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Chinese Taipei has been a strong competitor on the world scene the 1970s, finishing top six at the first three Olympics and earning bronze medal in 2002 in Saskatoon. The country was fifth at the 2014 worlds.
In June, a four-team women’s professional league began play in Chinese Taipei with officials hoping the new league will help the country contend for a medal at the 2020 Olympics.Chinese Taipei is grouped in Pool E with Puerto Rico, India, and Ecuador.
Round Robin schedule:
15 July at 8:15pm vs Ecuador
16 July at 8:00pm vs Puerto Rico
17 July at 7:30pm vs India
History:
WWC Appearances: 13
WWC Participation: 1970; 1974; 1978; 1982; 1986; 1990; 1994; 1998; 2002; 2006; 2010; 2012; 2014
Highest Finish: 2nd (1982)
Previous Finish: 5th (2014)
Current World Rank: 5
INDIA
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A women’s national team first competed internationally at the 1991 Asian championships, but this is the first time Team India has participated at a world championship.
India is grouped in Pool E with Chinese Taipei, Puerto Rico, and Ecuador.
Round Robin schedule:
15 July at 8:30am vs Puerto Rico
16 July at 12:30pm vs Ecuador
17 July at 7:30pm via Chinese Taipei
History:
WWC Appearances: 0
WWC Participation: n/a
Highest Finish: n/a
Previous Finish: n/a
Current World Rank: Unranked
JAPAN
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Japan is the two-time reigning world champions and won gold in Beijing in 2008 when softball was last contested at the Olympics. Japan was the silver medalist at the 2000 Olympics and earned bronze in 2004. Japan is looked at as a favorite to win after defeating the USA in both the WBSC-sanctioned International Softball Series (Japan) and the World Cup of Softball (USA) held earlier this month.
Softball is hugely popular in Japan, which boasts a strong eight-team women’s pro league that attracts star players from the U.S., Australia and Canada.
Japan is grouped in Pool A with Venezuela and France.
Round Robin schedule:
16 July at 5:00pm vs Venezuela
17 July at 5:30pm vs France
History:
WWC Appearances: 12
WWC Participation: 1965; 1970; 1974; 1986; 1990; 1994; 1998; 2002; 2006; 2010; 2012; 2014
Highest Finish: 1st (1970; 2012 & 2014)
Previous Finish: 1st (2014)
Current World Rank: 1
PAKISTAN
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An infrequent participant at the Asian championships, Pakistan is stepping up efforts to promote and develop the women’s game as the country appears at their first world championship. Several new coaching camps were held last year.
“Efforts are already being made at the level of schools, colleges and districts to groom new talented women players and popularize softball, which is giving good results,” said Board Member Maroof ul Hasan of the Softball Federation of Pakistan.
Pakistan is grouped in Pool F with Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Philippines.
Round Robin schedule:
15 July at 3:30pm vs Netherlands
16 July at 10:00am vs Philippines
17 July at 12:30pm vs Czech Republic
History:
WWC Appearances: 0
WWC Participation: n/a
Highest Finish: n/a
Previous Finish: n/a
Current World Rank: Unranked
PHILIPPINES
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Philippines is making their first appearance at the world championship since finishing 16th in 1998. The country does have one world championship medal, a bronze in 1970. Nicknamed the Blu Girls, the Philippines squad does feature a half-dozen Filipino-Americans with NCAA experience.
Philippines is grouped in Pool F with Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Pakistan.
Round Robin schedule:
15 July at 11:00am vs Czech Republic
16 July at 10:00am vs Pakistan
17 July at 10:00am vs Netherlands
History:
WWC Appearances: 5
WWC Participation: 1970; 1974; 1982; 1990; 1998
Highest Finish: 3rd (1970)
Previous Finish: 16th (1998)
Current World Rank: Unranked
