The women¡¯s fast pitch world championship, held every four years, is organized by the sport¡¯s world governing body the International Softball Federation (ISF).

The ISF XI Women¡¯s Fast Pitch World Championship will be held in the Fengtai Softball Field, Beijing, from Aug. 27 to Sep. 5, 2006.

Sixteen teams from across the world will compete for the champion trophy. The top four finishers (or top five if 2008 Olympic Games host China comes in anywhere from first to fourth place) will qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games that will take place two years from now. 

The 16 teams are Australia, the Netherlands, United States, Italy, Japan, the DPR Korea, Greece, New Zealand, Britain, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Botswana, Canada, South Africa, Venezuela and China, with 272 athletes, 96 team officials (including coaches), 38 umpires and technical officials and 28 ISF officials.

Also present at the championship are about 60 observers and technical staffs.