Click here to see the competing countries and pools for the 2016 WBSC JMWC
“The WBSC is proud to announce a global collection of nations for the 11th Junior Men’s Softball World Championship,” said WBSC Softball Division President Dale McMann. “With its existing world class venues and knowledgeable fans, Midland will be an ideal backdrop for these elite young athletes to shine and proudly wear the jerseys of their countries — representing and spreading our sport in their part of the world and beyond. The WBSC is committed to showcasing our sport’s world championships to advance our leading position and appeal as a youth-based sport across both genders.”
The 13 National Teams competing have been delegated to their respective pools and will begin the championship with a single round robin. The top four teams from each pool will then advance into a double-page playoff system.
Argentina will head to Midland as the two-time defending world champions, winning gold medals in Parana, Argentina in 2012 and Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada in 2014. Currently ranked No.1 in the world for Men, New Zealand captured the silver medal in 2014. Asia powerhouse – Japan – claimed the silver medal in Parana and the bronze medal in Whitehorse. Competing on home soil, Team USA hopes to make gains on their fifth place finishes in 2012 and 2014.
Tickets, fan activities and a complete game schedule will be announced at a later date. For more information, including local attractions, can be found by visiting the tournament website at 2016JMWC.com.
About ASA/USA Softball
Founded in 1933, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball is the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. One of the nation’s largest sports organizations, ASA/USA Softball sanctions competition in every state through a network of 70 local associations and has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 165,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than 2.2 million. ASA/USA is responsible for training, equipping and promoting the six USA Softball National Teams that compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won nine World Championship titles as well as claimed eight World Cup of Softball titles. For more information about ASA/USA Softball, please visit http://www.asausasoftball.com/.
About the World Baseball Softball Confederation
Headquartered in the Olympic Capital city of Lausanne, Switzerland, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) was established in April 2013 and granted recognition as the sole competent authority in baseball and softball by the International Olympic Committee at the 125th IOC Session in September 2013. The WBSC represents a united baseball/softball sports movement that encompasses over 65 million athletes worldwide and attract approximately 150 million fans annually to stadiums worldwide.
The WBSC governs all international competitions involving any of the National Teams of its 141 National Federation members. The WBSC oversees the Softball World Championships (Men, Women, U-19 Men, and U-19 Women), Premier12, World Baseball Classic, and the U-12, U-15, U-18, U-21 and Women’s Baseball World Cups. For further information, please go to www.WBSC.org or follow the WBSC on Twitter at @WBSC.
Codi Warren I Managing Director of Communications
Amateur Softball Association/USA Softball
2801 NE 50th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111
Visit Us Online: ASAUSASoftball.com