GameTime Classics | Episode 34: Re-live historic 2004 Men’s Softball World Championship semifinal between Australia and Canada
A 19-year old Andrew Kirkpatrick started the game for Australia, while Gerald Muizelaar opened for Canada.
The latest edition of GameTime Classics showcases a match-up between Australia and Canada, in the semi-finals of the 2004 WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand. The winner would go through to the final against host New Zealand, while the loser would finish in third place.
The 15-team tournament had representation from five continents (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania): Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Canada, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa, South Africa, USA and Venezuela.
Australia and Canada faced off on 2 September 2004, in what was the second semi-final of the tournament. With the promise of at least a bronze medal, the Aussies were guaranteed their first-ever medal in the top men’s softball competition, while Canada was sure to medal for a ninth time.
The two teams met in the Opening Round of the tournament, with a 3-2 win for the red and white team. Canada ended up on top of Group A (6-1 record), while Australia advanced to the playoffs as the third-place finisher (5-2).
A 19-year old Andrew Kirkpatrick, who pitched a total of 40.2 innings in the tournament (the most of any pitcher), started the game for Australia to face a more rested Gerald Muizelaar, who worked only 15.1 innings in the event.
This historic game will be available for free at www.youtube.com/wbscat 9 pm Eastern US Standard Time* on Monday, 27 April (3 am Central European Time* on Tuesday 28 April) and Tuesday at 9 am Eastern Standard Time* (3:00 pm Central European Time*) at www.facebook.com/wbsc.
*Observing daylight saving time.
Tomorrow, GameTime Classics series will feature the game between USA and Japan for the Super Roind of last year’s Premier12.