On the afternoon of August 31, 2006, a four-member Olympic venue inspection delegation from the IOC headed by Andrew Ryan and Kelly Fairweather inspected Beijing's Fengtai Sports Centre Softball Field, where the ISF XI Women's Fast Pitch World Championship is going on.

The inspection was focused on the venue construction, competition management, security and transportation. The inspectors visited the medical station, athletes lounge and passageway, and listened with interest to the Chinese team's post-game press conference when they passed the Press Conference Room. One of the inspectors said he was impressed with the tremendous changes that had taken place in the venue since his last visit three months ago.

Kelly Fairweather said he and his colleagues had just finished their inspection in Qingdao, where the 2006 Qingdao International Regatta concluded yesterday. After this on-spot inspection they felt both the software and hardware facilities here in Fengtai were good, and it could well be said a world-class softball field. While generally they felt satisfactory with the venue the inspectors spotted some minor problems that need to be solved for future competitions, particularly the Olympic softball competition in 2008.