Recently crowned men’s softball world champions Australia hosted their Open Men’s National Championships with New South Wales defeating Victoria, 7-0, in the final to win the title.
During the tournament at the Hawker International Softball Centre, ACT, WBSC Softball Hall of Famer Debbie Grove and WBSC Umpire of the Year 2021 Kyira Cox were honoured in a ceremony.
World champions James Todhunter and Jack Besgrove led New South Wales to victory. Todhunter hit .560 with 15 RBIs and six home runs in nine games, while Besgrove tossed five innings of one-hit ball in the final, with five strikeouts.
The WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2022 trophy, won by Australia after beating Canada in a thrilling finale to international men’s softball showpiece event in December, took pride of place during the closing ceremony, where New South Wales swept the individual awards. Todhunter was named MVP while Besgrove was the Player of the Grand Final. In addition, Harrison Peters was the best pitcher and WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup 2020 silver medallist Jeremy Garland received the Rookie of the Year.
During the closing ceremony, Debbie Grove received her WBSC Hall of Fame plaque, while Kyira Cox was handed the WBSC Umpire of the Year 2021 award. Both umpires were recognised during the WBSC Congress 2022.
