Women’s Softball: Asia Pacific Cup finale broadcast to millions in Asia and Oceania
Photo: © Sam Donkin/Softball Australia.
BLACKTOWN, Australia – World No. 2 Japan shut out No. 4 Australia, 3-0, in the finale of the WBSC-sanctioned Women’s Softball Asia Pacific Cup, which was broadcast live in Asia and Oceania via Fox Sports, potentially reaching millions of viewers.
The Women’s National Softball Team of Japan went undefeated and only allowed two runs in the 26-game tournament.
No. 12 China, the lowest-ranked team in the six-nation event, finished third.
Commenting on the success and media coverage of the inaugural Asia Pacific Cup, Softball Australia CEO Chey Gray said, “It was the first time in Australian softball history that a game was telecast live, through Fox Sports, and also shown throughout Asia.”
FOX Sports will also telecast replays of Asia Pacific Cup. International baseball and softball competitions have been seeing a resurgence following the 2016 announcement that men’s baseball and women’s softball will make their return at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
WBSC Hall of Famers hand out awards
Japan’s Natsuko Sugama was named Most Valuable Player (MVP). Australian WBSC Hall of Famers Brooke Wilkins, Melanie Roche, Alan McAuliffe and Audrey McLaughlin AM were honoured at the Asia Pacific Cup and handed out individual tournament awards.
During the ceremonies, Australia’s newest WBSC Hall of Fame members Roche and Natalie Ward were presented with their plaques.
Road to the World Championship
All six nations in Blacktown will compete this August in the pinnacle softball competition, the 2018 WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship in Chiba, Japan.
Final Standings
- Japan
- Australia
- China
- Chinese Taipei
- Aussie All-Stars
- Italy
- New Zealand
