Six years ago today: Japan repeats as women’s softball world champions in Haarlem, Netherlands
It was the first senior softball world championship to be held in Europe, and the second overall after the 2007 Junior Women’s Softball World Championship in Enschede, also in the Netherlands.
On a bright and sunny day on 24 August 2014 in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Japan repeated as women’s softball world champions by winning the final against USA with a 4-1 scoreline. This title represented Japan’s third world championship in history.
A total of 16 teams participated in the XIV Women’s Softball World Championship from 15-24 August, divided into two groups. Japan, Canada, China and New Zealand advanced from Group A; while USA, Australia, Chinese Taipei and the Netherlands made the playoffs in Group B.
Cuba, the Czech Republic, Russia and Puerto Rico completed Group A. Italy, Dominican Republic, Botswana and Great Britain were eliminated in Group B.
Japan defended their world title by winning the final at the Nol Houtkamp Sportpark with a 4-1 score against the USA. Yukiko Ueno -- who struck out six batters, walked three and gave up eight hits -- pitched Japan to the title, despite being out hit 8-7.
Earlier in the day, the USA had qualified for the grand final with a convincing 8-1 victory versus Australia, who settled for the bronze medal. With this, the top-three were the same at the previous Women’s Softball World Championship in Whitehorse, Canada two years earlier.
