 From the WBSC: A near record-high of 20 nations — the second largest in the event’s history — will be present for the 15th Men’s Softball World Championship, which will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada from 7-16 July. The highest competition in men’s softball will bring together the world’s top men’s softball athletes from all five Olympic regions: Africa (2): World No. 19 Botswana, No. 14 South Africa Americas (7): No. 3 Argentina, No. 4 Canada, No. 11 Dominican Republic, No. 18 Guatemala, No. 9 Mexico, No. 6 United States, No. 7 Venezuela Asia (4): Hong Kong, India, No. 20 Indonesia, No. 2 Japan Europe (5): No. 8 Czech Republic, No. 13 Denmark, No. 10 Great Britain, No. 21 Israel, Turkey Oceania (2): No. 5 Australia, No. 1 New Zealand India and Turkey will be making their historic debuts in the men’s world championship. “The large field of teams competing in this year’s Men’s World Championship reflects the popularity and reach of softball across all regions and genders of the world. With all the Top 10 WBSC ranked men’s national teams participating, games will be thrilling and action packed,” said WBSC Softball Division President Dale McMann. As hosts, Canada is looking to defend their world title after capturing the title in 2015, their first since 1992. The Black Sox from New Zealand — have won six total men’s world championships — took home the silver in 2015. South America’s Venezuela claimed the bronze. INTERNATIONAL SELECTION OF UMPIRES WBSC has appointed 24 umpires from 15 countries from all corners of the world to officiate in the 15th WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship. The umpiring staff will rein from Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Canada, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, South Africa, USA, and Venezuela. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP LEGACY The world championship in Whitehorse will be the first time Yukon hosts an elite men’s event, however, Yukon has hosted three previous world championships – the Junior Men’s World Softball Championship in 2008 and 2014, as well as the 2012 Women’s World Softball Championship. “We hope the exciting and fast-paced games at the 2017 Championship will inspire residents to take up the sport of softball, as well as inspire young athletes already enjoying softball to keep striving for a higher level,” said Executive Director of Softball Yukon, George Arcand. For information on tickets, visit 2017mensworldsoftball.com.
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| Contact: media@wbsc.org, @WBSC
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| WBSC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017
World Baseball Classic WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship Whitehorse, Canada – 7 to 16 Jul #2017MWC WBSC U-19 Junior Women’s Softball World Championship Clearwater, FL, USA – 24 to 30 Jul #2017JWWC WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Tainan, Chinese Taipei – 28 Jul to 6 Aug #U12WorldCup WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Thunder Bay, Canada – 1 to 10 Sept #U18WorldCup
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| About the World Baseball Softball Confederation
Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland — the Olympic Capital — the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) is the world governing body for baseball and softball. WBSC has 213 National Federation and Associate Members in 142 countries and territories across Asia, Africa, Americas, Europe and Oceania, which represent a united baseball/softball sports movement that encompasses over 65 million athletes and attracts approximately 150 million fans to stadiums worldwide annually. The WBSC governs all international competitions involving official National Teams. The WBSC oversees the Softball World Championships (Men, Women, U-19 Men, and U-19 Women), Premier12, World Baseball Classic, and Baseball World Cups (U-12, U-15, U-18, U-23 and Women’s). |