One day to go to WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group C: Head coaches discuss their chances

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21 Jul 2023 19:45

The <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-c/home">XVII WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group C</a> begins on Saturday and speaking to the head coaches before play starts, it is clear world No. 2 and Olympic champions Japan are the team to beat.

"They've been the class of international softball for quite a few years," commented Kaleigh Rafter, head coach of world No. 5 Canada and Tokyo 2020 Olympian . "They are super consistent, pitch well, play good defence and swing well. They're not untouchable, but I think it needs a very well-played game to beat them."

Federico Pizzolini led No. 8 Italy against Japan at the Canada Cup earlier in July and was impressed. "I really was. It doesn't look like you can take them off guard."

Japan's manager, Reika Utsugi, credits both Canada and Italy. "They are dangerous teams, and we respect them. I think also the Philippines deserve respect. I don't have much information about Venezuela and New Zealand, but I'm positive they came here to compete."

Do you think this team equals the Tokyo 2020 gold medal group? "This is a difficult question. What I can tell you is that renovation doesn't happen overnight. We were already thinking about renovation when we selected the Olympic roster."

"We are thinking about the first game against the Philippines, added Rafter. "We want to focus on playing one game at a time."

The former star catcher showed respect for Italy. "The first five, six hitters can really swing it. They did a good job putting some new people at different positions. Gasparotto at shortstop is a good addition. They've got Piancastelli. The additions gave them a lot of pop, making them super dangerous. We will need our best game to beat them."

Rafter believes she will field a better Canada compared to the World Games. "The big issue for us is was the pitching staff. We had some injuries and maybe a total of 20 international innings among our five pitchers. We have more experience with Sara [Groenewegen] coming back."

Italy beat Canada in the playoffs of the Canada Cup. "I believe we played well in Canada," said Pizzolini. "We still committed defensive mistakes. I have some regrets about the first game against Canada. We are a solid team, possibly lacking an ace starting pitcher. Still, I believe we can compete against Canada."

After a legendary career as a player and experiencing success as an official, current Olympic Committee president Maria Soto will lead No. 22 Venezuela as the head coach.

"We have a young team, except for three veterans. We've had a lot of ups and downs and need to be more consistent to compete at this level. The team has some talent."

Ana Santiago has won 15 times, 10 straight, the University Championship in the Philippines and she takes the helm of the National Team for the first time.

"Participating in the World Cup is a learning experience for us. I want to test my players at this level, and I'm grateful for the new two-stage format of the Women's Softball World Cup. It gives more countries a chance to compete against the best."

World No. 26 Philippines finished fourth in the Women's Baseball Asia Cup. "Our common goal is to be competitive at the World Cup level."

Donny Hale became known as The Halestorm on his way to three Men's Softball World Cups. He will lead No.29 New Zealand as the head coach, even if his playing career is not over.

"I play for Osaka in the top league in Japan. Given my age, I now play as a DP."

Hale is aware that New Zealand's "golden era" in women's softball is part of the past.

"The team we have right now is still learning. In the last three years, because of COVID, we couldn't travel. This will be a test process, our first international competition games."

One day to go to WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group C: Head coaches discuss their chances

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