To-date, seven of the 16 teams that will participate have already been determined. From Asia, in addition to the host (China), Chinese Taipei, DPR Korea, and Japan have all qualified. And, Greece, Italy, and the Netherlands have emerged as the teams that will represent Europe.

Australia will get the chance to win their third straight International Softball Federation (ISF) Jr. Men’s World Championship (19-and-under) tomorrow as they, along with Japan and Canada, advanced to the final day of play after today’s action in Summerside, Prince Edward Island (Canada).

SUMMERSIDE, PEI, Canada – Australia finished round robin play with an unblemished 8-0 (won-lost) record thanks to an offensive explosion against young Denmark 24-0 on day eight of the ISF VII Jr. Men’s World Softball Championship (19-and-under) at Queen Elizabeth Park’s VIV Field in Summerside, Prince Edward Island (Canada).

The Australian Under-19 Men’s Softball Team was from the onset regarded as the underlying favorite to take back-to-back titles. The pressure on them was immense. Not only was the VI ISF Junior Men’s World Championship being played in their own backyard, but they had the arduous task of defending Australia’s World Title won four years in Canada.

An exemplary display of power-pitching from Marty Grant of New Zealand led the defending world champions to a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the 10th World Men’s Softball championship at the Phillip Kahts Stadium, East London, South Africa.