Miyoshi City ready to host IX WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group B
"We couldn't imagine a better location for successful Women's Baseball World Cup action," said WBSC Executive Director Michael Schmidt after inspecting Kinsai Stadium.
WBSC Executive Director Michael Schmidt visited Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, the host city for Group B of the IX WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup for a pre-tournament inspection.
Schmidt, together with WBSC Women's Baseball Development Commission Chair Hiroko Yamada, checked Kinsay Stadium, the venue which will host all the games of the six-team tournament.
After the inspection, the WBSC Executive Director met the Mayor of Miyoshi City Satoshi Fukuoka.
"We couldn't imagine a better location for successful Women's Baseball World Cup action," Schmidt said during a press conference. "Japan's commitment to women's baseball development is unique. Your country runs the most successful programme, being the undisputed No. 1 in the world after winning six consecutive World Cups."
He added: "On behalf of the WBSC, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Miyoshi City and the Baseball Federation of Japan for hosting this tournament. Your hospitality will make everyone feel at home and create the best atmosphere for the women's baseball stars to perform on the biggest stage.
The IX Women's Baseball World Cup is the first and only WBSC baseball event using a new two-stage format. Under this new system, the 12 qualified teams have been split into two groups: Group A will be played in Thunder Bay, Canada, from 8 to 13 August. Miyoshi City will host Group B from 13 to 17 September.
The Group B participants are World No. 1 Japan, No. 5 Venezuela, No. 7 Cuba, No. 9 Puerto Rico, No. 16 France and the top finisher of the Women's Baseball Asia Cup, scheduled from 21 May to 2 June in Hong Kong, China.
The top two finished of Group A and B, plus two Wild Cards, will compete in the World Championship stage in Thunder Bay, Canada, in the summer of 2024.
