The first pitch at the International Softball Federation’s XII Men’s World Championship is – as of today – just 50 days away. The 16 teams that will play in the marquee tournament are well aware of that, and showing as much by getting in some final warm-up games.
This past weekend in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the host country for the upcoming ISF event made a prominent statement, going undefeated in their six games. Canada outscored their opponents 41-4 over their half-dozen games. The team started out in fine form, getting a pitching performance from Derek Mayson that saw him strike out 14 and allow just one hit in five innings of play in a big win over the British Virgin Islands All-Stars. In their second outing of the day, the red-and-white defeated Team USA thanks in part to three Canadian pitchers combining for 13 strikeouts.
One member of that trio, Grant Patterson, pitched a no-hit, eleven-strikeout, shutout win the next day over the Dominican Republic.
Canada continues preparing for the Men’s World Championship with games in mid-June in Ontario.
The U.S. team finished 3-2 at the games in USVI. Two of their victories were by shutout, including a five-inning, eleven-strikeout no-hitter by pitcher Travis Price.
The ISF Men’s World Championship takes place July 17-26 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Besides Canada and the U.S. the other teams that will compete are: Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Czech Republic, Denmark, Great Britain, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Africa, and Venezuela. The defending ISF men’s world champion is New Zealand.
Australia is planning to compete in lead-up games in Ontario in early July before moving on to Saskatchewan.