World No. 1 Japan will contribute with five players to the Australian Women's Baseball Showcase. Baseball Australia announced that outfielders Miwa Naraoka, Erika Nakae and Miwa Tanaka, catcher Tamaki Muramatsu and infielder Akari Hoshikawa will participate in the event.
"It's a great chance to go overseas and play with players who are not Japanese. Hopefully, it will help with the growth of women's baseball worldwide," commented Madonna Japan manager Risa Nakashima, who has played and coached in Australia.
The head coach added, "I hope [they] have a great experience in Australia learning a different culture and different style from Japanese. [They] can learn some international skills, improve their communication in English, and also develop as players/people."
The five players helped Japan finish first in the IX WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup-Group B undefeated last year. World No. 1 Japan, a six-time Women's Baseball World Champion, will defend the title in the Women's World Cup Finals presented by CARNEXT from 28 July to 3 August in Thunder Bay, Canada.
Baseball Australia will host the third Australian Women's Baseball Showcase from 9 to 12 May at the Albert Park Baseball Complex in Lismore, northern New South Wales.
The Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits, and Victorian Aces will compete in a four-day tournament involving emerging Australian talent. Canada and the United States will also contribute to the international player pool.
