Sportswave looks forward to covering the annual Women’s Fastpitch Championship each July and this year was no exception being year number 24.
One major difference this year was that several of the “power house” teams were missing due to the fact they are attending the Women’s Softball World Championships held in Chiba Japan August 2nd to the 12th.
This year saw a record number of 91-teams competing in five divisions over the 10 day event with the fans being entertained by some exceptional ball while fans continued to go through the turnstiles in record numbers on a daily basis.
Regardless of the missing teams, Canada has assembled an impressive and talented group of players that range from seasoned vet’s to up and coming stars of tomorrow.
Team Canada fought hard during the tournament and faced squads that were looking at scoring an impressive run keeping Canada out of the Championship game.
Photo D. Laird Allan
With the stands filled with supporters, mainly cheering for Team Canada, but their opposition Triple Crown Colorado who is filled with exceptional players that have tasted success in the past had other thoughts.
One must not forget that Triple Crown played earlier in the day against a hot New Zealand squad who also had sights set on the final, but as we all know, in ball it’s one pitch at a time.
This match-up saw Triple Crown defeat New Zealand by a commanding 7-2 win and the day prior they played the Alberta Calahoo Erins pulling off a huge 12-0 victory, so talent comes to the plate.
Canada also played New Zealand on the 21st (Saturday) managing a 7-2 win and one might think that for the New Zealand squad the magic number is only two, but for a squad of young players, this won’t be the last time you have heard about them.
The diamond was dressed, groomed and the fans were ready in hopes of seeing Canada finally lost the winning drought they were faced with winning only once in the history of the tournament that dates back to 96.
One might think that 22 years is a long time and reflects on Canada’s system and is in need of an overhaul, but I for one know that’s not the case, it’s just that other countries have been learning our system and playing accordingly.
The Sportswave crew have had many a discussion on this and knew that it was simply a matter of time and knew this year they would hit it out of the park and score a home run.
Earlier in the week I spoke with Team Canada Coach Mark Smith and he mentioned “they have to go slow and know what they are facing, especially since the sport is growing in other countries, but they know what to expect and it’s within our grasp.”
Indeed it was and on this night as sort of a “training ground” for Team Canada as they have one day off, then jump on the plane and head to the Women’s World Softball Championship.
This is an exciting time for women’s softball, with the game’s long-awaited return to the Olympic stage for the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Team Canada is in Group B along with Japan, Italy, Australia, China, Great Britain, Venezuela and Botswana and is playing their first game August 2nd against Great Britain.
The national team is now off to Japan for training in advance of the Women’s World Softball Championship, in Chiba Japan that will see the first-place finisher awarded a direct entry into Tokyo 2020 without having to pass through Qualifiers.
Following the Championship celebration on the diamond in which Laird got some remarkable photo Canada Cup Chairman Greg Timm mentioned to the fans “The caliber of play has been excellent, the fans have been great, the sponsors stepped up and the volunteers have gone above and beyond, to make this a wonderful experience for everyone who has been involved.”
As one of the media members that attended the event, it’s clear that year 25 will be one of the bigger events they will host and it’s fair to assume that preparation for this is currently underway.
Following the medal presentation the awards were handed out and the following players were the recipients of some extra special awards.
- Top Pitcher, from Czech Republic, Veronika Peckova
- Top Catcher, from Triple Crown Colorado, Ashley Walters
- Top Batter, from Team Canada, Kelsey Jenkins
- Best Defensive Player, from Team Canada, Janet Leung
- Most Valuable Player, from Team Canada, Holly Speers
Preparation is now underway for the 2019 edition of the Canada Cup International Softball Championship. Updates, including specific dates, will be posted at www.CanadaCup.com when details are finalized.
Special “thanks” from the Sportswave crew for the assistance and we look forward to seeing you at the Park in 2019!!!
