Dutch Women Softball Team

2009

World Cup Dates, Site change

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Dates, site World Championship 2010 to change

Nederlandse tekst

PLANT CITY, Florida (USA) - The International Softball Federation and Amateur Softball Assocation/USA Softball on November 3 announced that the dates of the upcoming World Championship in 2010 will be pushed back to a later date. Also, a new site will be named, as the global event will not take place in Oklahoma City (USA). The change of dates and site is necessary, as the earlier announced dates (July 16-26) conflict with the XXI Central American & Caribbean Games, which are taking place July 17-August 1 in Mayaguëz (Puerto Rico).

When the World Championship was originally awarded to Oklahoma City on October 31, 2008, the dates mentioned in the press release then for the tournament were July 9-19. However, between then and the World Cup of Softball, which were held in Oklahoma City last Summer, the dates were changed to July 16-26. One of the reasons being mentioned for the move was TV-coverage. Did the original date already had three days that overlapped the Central American & Caribbean Games (CACG), the new dates fell completely in the same period. The games in Oklahoma City were to be played in Don E. Porter Stadium at the ASA National Hall of Fame Complex, which also is the site of the NCAA Women's College World Series the last 15 years, as well as the World Cup of Softball, which had its fourth edition last July and included participation of the Dutch National Softball Team. As European champion, the Dutch Team qualified for participation in next years World Championship.

The CACG is a multi-sport event, which is held every four years, and also includes a softball-tournament. Participating herein are Cuba, Dominican Republic and Venezuela, who also qualified for the World Championship. During the ISF Congress, held at the end of October in Juan Griego, Isla Margarita (Venezuela), the conflict of dates was being brought up and discussed and it became clear that there was a problem.

ISF President Don Porter and ASA/USA Softball Executive Director Ron Radigonda announced that the World Championship needs to be moved to a later date and a different site in order to ensure complete participation. During next years event, the 45th anniversary of the first World Championship will be celebrated. The first Championship was held in 1965 in Melbourne (Australia).

In a statement, ISF President Don Porter (who was re-elected for a new 4-year term as ISF President during the Congress in Venezuela) said: ,,We are disappointed to not have the World Championship in Oklahoma City, but know that it is imperative for our sport to have worldwide participation and a complete field of 16 teams. We don't want to leave any countries out. The ISF is already working hard to find another host country and we will make a date and site announcement as soon as possible.'' ASA/USA Softball Executive Director Ron Radigonda said: ,,The ASA and USA Softball were really looking forward to hosting the World Championship in Oklahoma City, but understand the importance of a complete field of participating countries from every region of the world. Our 2010 stadium schedule is booked and unfortunately the July dates were the only feasible dates to host the event.'' Radigonda added that a smaller event now might be organized in Oklahoma City in July and hopes to attract some teams who also participate in the Championship.

Here you can find the Press Release of the ISF with the announcement