Managers and captains discuss the future of women’s baseball during the press conference ahead of the World Cup tournament – World Baseball Softball Confederation

The pre-tournament press conference of the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals, presented by CARNEXT, held at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, turned into a seminar on the status of Women’s Baseball, with the local press engaging in an exciting question-and-answer session.

“I believe we should take every opportunity to advance women’s baseball,” said United States manager Veronica Alvarez, Major League Baseball’s (MLB) ambassador for girls in baseball. “Everyone in this room can make a difference: players, coaches, community officials, the WBSC and you, the media. We are all part of an exciting opportunity.”

Alvarez talked about how the COVID years have damaged women’s baseball.

“In 2019, we were ready to select a team for the 2020 World Cup. The pandemic canceled everything. We only got the chance to play in WBSC events in the group stage last year.”

The US returned to the international stage thanks to a friendly against Canada.

“We’re doing great in Canada,” manager Anthony Pluta said. “We’re giving girls a lot of opportunities to play. Of course, we’d like to see it develop faster, but we’re happy with where we are now.”

He added: “We have a competition in the province of Quebec. Most of the national team players have competed there. It’s a great opportunity to play together.

Mexico captain Dani Leal added: “The success that Mexico had in the World Baseball Classic had an impact on baseball in general in our country. Mexico gives girls more opportunities to play. Being here is a dream come true for me. I have dreamed of playing international baseball since I was seven years old.”

The World Cup offers an opportunity to reach more girls.

“If this World Cup could attract just one more girl, it would be a success,” said Japan coach Risa Nakashima.

“We have the opportunity to show girls that if they play baseball, there is a future. Playing in the World Cup can be their goal,” added Canadian captain Sena Catterall.

Alvarez contributed: “In the U.S., we’re still in the early stages of enlightening people’s minds about girls playing softball and boys playing baseball. The fact is, they can both play both.”

“It never occurred to me to switch to softball,” Catterall added. “I think boys and girls should be given the opportunity to choose the sport that they enjoy the most.”

Chinese Taipei Captain Shi Mei Shu is a former international softball player. She is an advocate of women’s baseball and will debut in the Women’s Baseball World Cup at the age of 40.

“We have an amateur women’s baseball league in Taiwan with 13 teams. What we’re trying to do is get younger girls playing. Girls play baseball in high school and elementary school and play with other girls.”

Nakashima added: “In Japan, we have three Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) clubs with a women’s team (Yomiuri Giants, Seibu Lions and Hanshin Tigers). If we had more, it could stimulate the development of women’s baseball in Japan. It could possibly serve as a model for MLB clubs.”

Venezuela’s Srishna Ariciniega added: “We are also trying to create more playing opportunities for girls in Venezuela. A girl who wants to become a baseball player has to focus on discipline and hard work.”

Japan coach Risa Nakashima was faced with the inevitable question of whether Japan are everyone’s favourites after winning six consecutive World Cups.

“We’ve won six times, but it’s never been easy,” she said. “This new group is coming together, and there’s no guarantee. We’re going to have to grow game by game.”

The Women’s Baseball World Cup final begins on Sunday, July 28 in Thunder Bay, Canada.

The six competitors will compete in a round-robin format. The top two finishers will compete for the world title. The third and fourth place teams will play for the bronze medal. The medal games are scheduled for Sunday, August 3.

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