After a 10-month hiatus with no games in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first elite national softball event of the year was held by the Chinese Softball Association (CSA) at Yilong Baseball-Softball Park. The event was played from 27 September to 5 October. Jiangsu beat Sichuan in the final and won their 11th consecutive national championship since 2010.
In all, nine provincial teams participated in the championship and played a round-robin, with the top four advancing to the page playoffs to battle for the title. Jiangsu was crowned the champion, joined by Shanghai and Sichuan on the podium.
The final game between Jiangsu and Sichuan was decided in extra innings. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Li Huan -- Jiangsu slugger and everyday shortstop of the Chinese National Team -- hit a walk-off single for the 7-6 win. Sichuan pitcher Chai Yinan, 19, who led the Chinese staff in the 2019 WBSC U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup in Irvine, performed well but was charged with the loss.
All nine teams will have a day off and then play in the 'Champions Trophy' modified-softball tournament from 7-10 October, where the teams will compete under the 'Fully Loaded' softball format for the first time in China.
The players’ health and safe remains the CSA's top priority, with a detailed and comprehensive safety plan implemented. All players had a fitness test on the first two days of the championship.
