17/02/2020 1 Minute Read

Top nations prepare for WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup

Japan, Argentina, Canada and Australia took part in a warm-up tournament against some of the premier softball teams in the Manawatu region.

Four of the world’s top-five ranked men’s softball nations took part in a warm-up tournament for the U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup this past weekend at Colquhoun Park in Palmerston North.

No. 1 ranked Japan, No. 2 ranked Argentina, Canada ranked No. 4 and world No. 5 Australia took on four Manawatu Softball Association Premier competition sides; Blue Sox, Huia, Kingswood and Wanganui.

Japan went unbeaten in their four games, and defeated Kingswood 5-1 in the final.

Australia finished the tournament with a 2-1 record after victories over Argentina and Blue Sox, while Canada and Argentina each recorded one win, one loss and one draw from their three group games.

Argentina, Australia and Canada will do battle in Group A of the U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup, while Japan takes on the likes of host nation and world No. 3 New Zealand in Group B.

The U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup will begin on Saturday with a match-up between world No. 11 Denmark and world no. 21 Guatemala at 11am NZDT.