USA Softball, in conjunction with USA Softball of Southern California (SoCal) and Japan Softball, announced an upcoming exchange series between the USA Softball of Southern California U-18 Women’s All-Star Team and Metro Tokyo Softball. The initiative aims to strengthen the connection between the Tokyo 2020 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The first set of games is scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. A second round of games is scheduled for 2025 in Los Angeles.
"USA Softball of SoCal is excited to partner with Japan Softball to host these legendary legacy competitions," said USA Softball of California Commissioner Chris Drumm. "These historic events will allow our SoCal athletes the ability to showcase their skills internationally and provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of the athletes. This is a great way for the softball community to celebrate that softball will return to the Olympics in LA 2028."
Japan and the US will form a roster of select athletes from local associations to create a U-18 Women’s All-Star Team. USA Softball stated in a release that SoCal will identify the players through the USA Softball High-Performance Programme (HPP). The identifier is scheduled for July 8 at Harvard Park in Irvine, California. Players wishing to participate will have to register by July 1.
"This is a great opportunity for our younger athletes to compete at an international level and grow the game in doing so," said Chief Sport Development/Performance Officer Chris Sebren. "We are excited to have USA Softball of Southern California represent USA Softball and know they will be able to compete at a high level and help build the bridge to this legacy event."
The latest exchange of games between USA and Japan continues a strong relationship between USA Softball and Japan Softball. The senior teams, ranked No. 1 & 2 in the world, will meet in a women's softball All-Star Series on 4, 6 & 8 July in Nagoya, Fujinomiya and Yokohama in Japan before both teams head to the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals in Italy from 15-20 July.
