Play on Tuesday at the International Softball Federation's (ISF) XI Women's World Championship will get underway with Japan looking to stay unbeaten. They'll bring their 2-0 won-lost record into a game against Greece (1-1), in a rematch of one of the round robin games from the Athens Olympics two years ago. The two teams on Monday won by a combined score of 15-1. Look for the Greeks to likely go with ace pitcher Sarah Farnworth in this important game for their playoff chances.

Shortly after the start of that game, Botswana (1-1) will take on the Netherlands on the adjacent field. Botswana was the team that Greece beat Monday and needs to shake off the 8-0 defeat to stay with the Dutch. The key for the Netherlands will actually be having gotten a good night's rest as they had the last game of the day on Monday, a scheduled 6 p.m. start versus Chinese Taipei.

A close game is expected at 12:30 Tuesday when China and DPR Korea go head-to-head. The Koreans probably performed better against USA on Monday than people were giving them credit for going into the game. Confidence from that game will be important if they are to make some noise in a tough Pool A. China will be motivated by an Asian opponent as well as, of course, being the host team.

Great Britain and South Africa will face one another in an opportunity for one of these teams to post their first victory. Great Britain has struggled in their first two games, opening with a 10-0 loss to China and then managing just two hits in Monday's loss to Canada. South Africa, on the other hand, has lost their two games by a combined score of just 5-0.

Probably the "game of the day" takes place at 3:00 on Tuesday when Canada faces USA. Each team is unbeaten and each has only allowed one run. Canada proved its ability to beat the Americans 13 months ago at the 1st World Cup of Softball and has looked impressive through the first two days of the world championship. USA might start one of its younger pitchers after ace Cat Osterman got the nod on Day 1 and star Jennie Finch threw Monday. That could benefit the Canadians, who would surprise many if Lauren Bay wasn't in the circle to start the game.

The next scheduled game was Colombia-Venezuela, but since the Colombians have withdrawn from the tournament, the game will go in the books as a 7-0 victory for Venezuela, meaning that their record will go to 2-1.

Australia (2-0) will meet Chinese Taipei in another contest between 2004 Olympic Softball participants. This is a prime example of a game Australia needs to win if they're to contend for the 2006 world championship. The Aussie team that won the silver two years ago and won the gold medal at this summer's Canada Cup needs to show up otherwise an opportunistic Chinese Taipei team could work its way toward another Cinderella performance, like that of 2002 (the last women's world championship).

The day will close with New Zealand facing Italy. The Italians have looked ready to compete thus far in the XI world championship, but the Kiwis will always give their opponent a game. Don't expect an offensive shootout in this game, however. Italy must not get caught looking ahead to a winnable game on Wednesday though.

Issued by: News Service, Organizing Committee