SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN — After 56 games played there are only ten more left as the International Softball Federation’s XII Men’s World Championship (fast pitch) heads for playoff weekend.
The tournament began one week ago today with 16 countries participating – the most allowed under ISF Code – and now there are just eight still alive as round robin play concluded tonight.
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA, and Venezuela have all advanced at the marquee 2009 event. Botswana, Czech Republic, Denmark, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and South Africa were all eliminated.
New Zealand is the defending ISF men’s world champion.
Organizers are expecting overflow crowds tomorrow night, projected to exceed 7,000 when the host team takes on Team USA.
Tomorrow’s schedule (times local to Saskatoon) is as follows (won-lost record from round robin play in parenthesis):
1:00 p.m. Japan (4-3) vs. Argentina (4-3)
3:30 p.m. Venezuela (5-2) vs. Great Britain (3-4)
6:30 p.m. New Zealand (7-0) vs. Australia (6-1)
8:30 p.m. Canada (7-0) vs. USA (6-1)
