The U-12 Softball World Cup is an international softball tournament for male and female players between age 10-12,[1] and is the most elite and highest level of competition in its age category. It is organized by (WBSC).[2] The tournament is held biennially, starting in 2019. The current champion is Chinese Taipei, who won the inaugural and the second competition as hosts.[3][4][5]
Current season, competition or edition: 2021 U-12 Softball World Cup | |
| Founded | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Organising body | WBSC |
| No. of teams | 5 (finals) |
| Region | International |
| Most recent champion(s) |  Chinese Taipei (2nd title) |
| Most titles | Chinese Taipei (2 titles) |
| Official website | WBSC.org |
The U-12 Softball World Cup is played under the WBSC's International Rules. Dimensions of regulation U-12 Softball World Cup ballparks (distance to the outfield fence, pitching mound, base paths, etc.) are significantly increased compared to local youth leagues, due to the superior nature and strength of the players involved.[1]
History
editThe inaugural tournament was held in Tainan, Taipei from July 26 to July 30, 2019 concurrently with the 2019 U-12 Baseball World Cup.[6][7] Four teams competed in the 2019 event, and Chinese Taipei won the event's first ever title.[8] The second edition was postponed from 2021 to December 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, and the event is held separately from the U-12 Baseball World Cup with the number of participating teams expanded to five.[9][10]
Results
edit| Year | Final Host | Medalists | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champions | Final | Runners-up | 3rd place | |||
| 2019 Details |
 Tainan |
 Chinese Taipei |
3–2 |  Peru |
 Czech Republic | |
| 2021 Details2 |
Taichung[11] |
Chinese Taipei |
3–2 | Czech Republic |
 Singapore | |
2 Originally scheduled to be held in 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, postponed to December 2022.[12]
Medal table
edit| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chinese Taipei | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 |  Czech Republic | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 |  Peru | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 |  Singapore | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals (4 entries) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
Participating nations
edit- 1st — Champion
- 2nd — Runner-up
- 3rd — Third place
- # — Position
- q — Qualified
- — Hosts
| Teams | 2019 | 2021 | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Taipei
|
1st | 1st | 2 |
| Czech Republic
|
3rd | 2nd | 2 |
 Hong Kong
|
4th | 1 | |
 India
|
5th | 1 | |
 Indonesia
|
4th | 1 | |
| Peru
|
2nd | 1 | |
| Singapore
|
3rd | 1 | |
| No. of Teams | 4 | 5 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Tournament Regulations Appendix I: Specific Regulations for each WBSC Softball World Cup". WBSC. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "WBSC launches new Softball World Cup format, 2021-2029 global schedule". Softball Asia. Dunsar Media Company Limited. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ 黃, 耿誼. "U12壘球賽奪金 中華小將完成2連霸". TSNA Professional. mega7. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Historic Chinese Taipei first ever U-12 Softball World champion, Peru 2nd, Czech Republic 3rd". WBSC. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Chinese Taipei seeking home glory at WBSC Under-12 Mixed Softball World Cup". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "首屆U12壘球賽落幕 中華隊奪冠". Yahoo News. The Central News Agency 中央通訊社. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Unique in Sport: U-12 Baseball World Cup, U-12 Softball World Cup set to open in Tainan". mister-baseball.com. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Chinese Taipei seeking home glory at WBSC Under-12 Mixed Softball World Cup". WBSC. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "WBSC Under-12s Mixed Softball World Cup in Taichung postponed until summer of 2022". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Taiwan to host 3 international softball, baseball tournaments in 2022". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "WBSC U12壘球世界盃台中登場 盧市長開球為中華隊加油". Taichung City Government. Taichung City Government. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Dates set for WBSC U-12 Mixed Softball World Cup, five of eight teams confirmed". WBSC. World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). Retrieved 11 December 2022.