Softball Australia had a large presence at the Canada Cup this year, with three squads participating at different levels. Laing Harrow balanced the players after the tournament that served as the first preparation event for the Aussie Spirit before The World Games.
“The Canada Cup has been outstanding for us in our preparation to The World Games,” said Harrow, who steer Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. “Obviously being winter back home and a lack of playing time together, it certainly helped bringing the team closer together. We’ve made some improvements in what we do on the field and off the field, and we’ll continue to build on that.”
With Olympian Ellen Roberts joining the team in Alabama for The World Games, the Australian team is carrying a young pitching staff with Georgia Hood, Chantelle Ladner, Kandra Lamb and Steph Trzcinski. “We’ve seeing improvements from the first outings, and really that’s what we are after...[to] make improvements every time we go out in that space.”
Before The World Games, Australia will play a couple of tune-up games against USA, Japan and Chinese Taipei in Atlanta, and Canada in Alabama. “Leading to The World Games, a few more exhibition games to work on things that maybe haven’t gone well here, and just to get better at some of our situational, whether it’s hitting or defence, so we can make some improvements in that space,” said Harrow.
No. 8 Australia is part of Group B of The World Games, along with No. 2 Japan, No. 4 Mexico and No. 5 Puerto Rico. With the top-eight teams in the world competing at The World Games, Harrow expects some tough competition at Hoover Met Stadium. “It’s going to be very challenging. But we should be in game shape and ready to compete at the highest level,” he finished.
