OKLAHOMA CITY — The top four softball teams in the world will converge on Oklahoma City this July 11-14 as the World Cup of Softball VIII returns to the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium along with the Border Battle V the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today. The USA Softball Women’s National Team will look to defend their top finish from last year’s World Cup as they take on reigning International Softball Federation (ISF) World Champion Japan, Australia, Canada and Puerto Rico in the four-day event. The USA Men’s Slow Pitch Team will also compete in the fifth annual Border Battle as they look to improve their record to 4-1 over the Canadian Men’s Slow Pitch National Team. Single and All-Session tickets are currently available by phone at 800-654-8337 or online at SoftballOutlet.com.
Click here for the complete World Cup of Softball VIII and Border Battle V Schedule
Now in its eighth year, the World Cup line-up is highlighted by the 2013 USA Softball Women’s National Team as well as defending World Champs Japan. Team USA last faced Japan in the finals of the 2012 ISF Women’s World Championship where they fell 2-1 in a 10-inning shootout.. Australia claimed the Bronze Medal at the 2012 ISF World Championships while Canada took fourth.
The World Cup, an ISF sanctioned event, will again feature men’s slow pitch action with the Canadian Men’s Slow Pitch National Team, the USA Softball Men’s Slow Pitch National Team and the USA Softball Men’s Futures Slow Pitch National Team competing in Oklahoma City. The Border Battle V on July 11 will feature Canada against the U.S. Men’s Slow Pitch National Team at noon and will be immediately followed by the second annual Slow Pitch Showdown between the two USA teams at 3 p.m.
The women’s fast pitch portion of the World Cup closes out the day one at 7 p.m. when the USA takes on Canada with an autograph session following the game. Four women’s fast pitch games will take place on Friday, July 12 highlighted by USA vs Australia at 7 p.m.. Four more games will take place on Saturday, July 13 with the World Championship rematch between USA and Japan as the nightcap at 8 p.m. Championship Sunday at the World Cup will include two USA games as the Red, White and Blue open the day with Puerto Rico in the annual Pink Game at noon and then the playoff portion of the event gets underway.
All-session tickets, which are $30 for general admission seating, $60 for other reserved seating, and $250 for the Ultimate Fan Zone reserved seating in the first three rows of the stadium can be purchased by phone at 800-654-8337 or online at SoftballOutlet.com.
Single-session tickets are also now available at $10 for general admission seating and $20 for reserved seating.
The Ultimate Fan Zone package includes a private autograph session and meal with the USA Softball Women’s National Team, open only to Ultimate Fan Zone (UFZ) ticket holders, as well as free parking, a white ASA/USA Softball hat and the opportunity for personalized name slide on the video board with a photo opportunity and more. Tickets and other UFZ materials will be shipped in June.
The 2013 USA Softball Women’s National Team roster will be finalized in June following the USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Camp in Oklahoma City. Click here to view the rosters of the 2013 USA Softball Men’s Slow Pitch National Team and Men’s Futures Slow Pitch National Team.