Teams get ready for softball global battle in Prince Albert

Five days away from the first pitch of the WBSC Junior Men’s Softball World Championship in Prince Albert, Canada, the teams are getting ready for the worldwide event. Some of them have already arrived to Prince Albert, while others are still on the route to Saskatchewan Province.

Host team Canada arrived to Saskatchewan to play ten exhibition games against local provincial teams. On Thursday Canada will head to Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, a little town located 45 km away from Prince Albert, to play a doubleheader against the reigning champion, Japan, who will be traveling to Canada this Tuesday.

Another two teams touring Canada in preparation for the Junior Men’s World Championship are Australia and New Zealand. The two teams from Oceania played last weekend the Hill United Chiefs Invitational Tournament in Oshweken, Ontario, against some of the best clubs in North America. NEw Zealand ended as a runner up, while Australia ended in third place. Both teams faced each other in the semifinal of the event, with the Junior Black Sox claiming the win, 9-1. As they continue their pre-World Championship preparation, the Junior Steelers will play eight games this week against local teams in and around Milverton, Ontario.

USA was also facing some power club houses this weekend, on the Pioners Day Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah. The team finalized their roster last Thursday, and after the tournament they will cross the border and arrive to Prince Albert to wait their debut against Canada.

Argentina traveled to Canada last Thursday and was the first team to arrive in Prince Albert, where they will play four exhibition games, two against local teams, and a doubleheader against India on Thursday.

On Wednesday, South Africa will also play two warm up games in Prince Albert, against New Zealand and Czech Republic, while Japan will face USA. The three games will be at Optimist Field in Prince Albert.

Then, on Thursday, Australia will play South Africa and USA will face Denmark; while Mexico will play their lone preparation match, against a local team.