27/04/2023 2 Minute Read

Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage schedule revealed

The XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage features a total of 57 games during the month of July at three different venues in Ireland (July 11-15), Spain (July 18-22) and Italy (July 22-26). Team Italy makes it debut on July 22 against Venezuela and competes on the diamonds of Buttrio and Castions di Strada during the international competition.

From July 11-26, 2023, 57 games will be played during the Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage to determine which national teams will advance to the 2024 Women’s Softball World Cup Finals in Italy.

Group C host Team Italy will play its games on the softball fields of Buttrio and Castions di Strada from July 22 to 26, 2023. The first two teams of each group plus two wild cards will advance to the Softball World Cup final stage. An explanation of the playoff format can be accessed HERE.

The Italians make their Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage debut against Venezuela on July 22, 2023 at 8 pm (local time) in Castions di Strada. They travel to nearby Buttrio for a battle against New Zealand on July 23, 2023 at 11 am (local time) and return later to face Canada under the lights at 8 pm. Team Italy concludes its Group C play with a game against the Philippines on July 24, 2023 at 8 pm in Buttrio and a clash with Japan on July 25, 2023 at 8 pm in Castions di Strada. The Italian women’s softball squad will continue in the playoffs beginning on July 26, 2023.

Format for the Final Round:

• 8 teams take part in the Final Stage, the two qualified from each group plus 2 wild cards**
• Each team plays all opponents once in a round robin
• The first two teams face off in a game for the title of World Champion, while the third and fourth finishers compete for the bronze medal

** Criteria for assigning the two wild cards for the Final Round (in order):

• Criterion 1: a place is secured for the host nation of the Final Round
• Criterion 2: the best team(s) placed third in the Group Stage, sorted according to the best placement achieved in the previous edition of the World Cup
• Criterion 3: The best team(s) placed third in the Group Stage, sorted by their highest position in the WBSC rankings at the end of the previous calendar year.

Forza #Italia!

by Roberto Angotti

OFFICIAL WBSC WOMEN'S SOFTBALL WORLD CUP WEBSITE

(Photo of Team Italy's Melany Sheldon and Alessandra Rotondo during the 2022 European Softball Championship by EzR/NADOC)