Wednesday's play opens with unbeaten Japan (3-0) taking on a Netherlands team that picked up its first win in grand fashion on Tuesday - an 11- 0 victory over Botswana.  However, the 2004 Olympic bronze medalists will provide a much more experienced opponent that the Dutch will have to find a way to solve if they're to even their record.  Japan, meanwhile, needs to stay on top of their game if they are to be the top or second seed from Pool B.

 

Japan's obvious challenger for the 1 or 2 seed after round robin play will likely be Australia, who has to feel good going into a Day 4 game against Botswana (1-2).  The Aussies need to keep everything polished though and be sure their players are ready for what is still a long tournament, which doesn't end until September 5.  Botswana is gaining valuable experience though against the likes of recent Olympic participants, as was the case in their game Monday against Greece.

 

The host team will be looking for its fourth straight win on Wednesday when they go head-to-head with New Zealand.  With China and USA looking like the teams to beat in Pool A so far though, New Zealand needs to right the ship in a hurry in order to make sure they¡¯ll be there come playoff time on Sunday.  China has only scored a combined total of five runs in their last two games, and likely won't put up much higher scores than that, but as long as they win their games, the home crowds at Fengtai Stadium won't worry about the final score.

 

Greece will improve to 2-2 on Wednesday by virtue of a forfeit, what with Colombia having withdrawn.  The day off can't come at a better time for catcher Stacey Farnworth though, who on Tuesday was hit by the ball during two different at bats.  The second incident - injuring fingers and knuckles on her right hand - left Farnworth unable to complete her at-bat.  The "Hellas" will look for her to be ready on Thursday when they face their European foe, the Netherlands.

 

Wednesday afternoon the Americans will try to improve to 4-0 when they take on Great Britain.  The two teams met last month at the International Softball Federation (ISF)-sanctioned II World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City (USA).  Great Britain lost that game 14-0 and needs to find some offense for this game, as USA has given up just one run in their three games thus far.  In all likelihood, pitcher Alicia Hollowell, Jamie Southern, or Monica Abbott will make their world championship debut versus the British.

 

South Africa faces Italy on Day 4 in field 2.  South Africa has lost all three of their games so far, but by a combined score of just 9-0.  These two teams don't have much history versus one another.  At the last ISF Women's World Championship (2002), they weren't even in the same pool.  Perhaps the South Africans can make this a memorable game in their history?

 

Venezuela brings a 2-1 record into its game against Chinese Taipei on Wednesday, with an asterisk though that reminds people that one of their wins was the forfeit by Colombia.  This is an important game for both teams as a win could do a whole lot for Venezuela, while Chinese Taipei might almost be near the point of not being able to afford to lose.

 

Canada will look to rebound from their first loss when they take on DPR Korea on Wednesday night.  It will be no small task though as teams have started to take note of the Koreans.  With the Canadians still having round robin games ahead against 2004 Olympic participants Italy and China, a good win over DPR Korea could do a lot in helping Canada toward their goal of being on the podium next Tuesday.

 

 

 

Issued by: News Service, Organizing Committee