Australia men's national softball team

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Australian men's national softball team
Information
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Federation Softball Australia
Confederation WBSC Oceania
Manager Laing Harrow
WBSC World Rank 2 Increase2.svg 2 (26 April 2023) [1]
Men's Softball World Cup
Appearances10 (First in 1988 )
Best resultGold medal world centered.svg 1st (2 times, most recent in 2022 )
Silver medal world centered.svg 2nd (1 time, in 2017 )
Bronze medal world centered.svg 3rd (2 times, most recent in 2013 )
The moment the Aussie Steelers won the 2009 ISF World Championships in Saskatoon, Canada. World Champions 2009.jpg
The moment the Aussie Steelers won the 2009 ISF World Championships in Saskatoon, Canada.

The Australian men's national softball team is the national softball team of Australia. [2] They are nicknamed the Aussie Steelers. [2] The team is governed by Softball Australia and takes part in international softball competitions. [3]

Contents

World Championships

The men's team competed at the 1988 World Championships, where they finished seventh. They also competed at the 1992 World Championships, where they finished fifth. [3]

The 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. This was the first time Australia sent a team to the competition. The team played 13 games in the round robin round, with a record of six wins and seven losses. They beat Mexico 4–3, Denmark 11–1, Zimbabwe 2–0, Chinese Taipei 2–0 and the Virgin Islands 11–1. They lost to Cuba 7–4, New Zealand 11–0, Canada 16–0, Japan 4–1, the Bahamas 1–0, the Philippines 4–3 and the United States 12–1. Australia did not compete in the semi-finals and finished seventh overall. [4]

The 1992 World Championships, the eighth time the event was competed for, was held in Manila and was only the second time Australia competed in the event. In the lead up to the competition, Australia played several test matches in New Zealand again Japan and New Zealand. They beat Japan 3–0 in their only victory. They lost to New Zealand 13–3, 10–0 and 10–1. They also lost to Japan 5–3. In the round robin of the World Championships, Australia won six of its eight matches. They beat Guam 7–2, Chinese Taipei 9–2, Indonesia 5–4, Czechoslovakia 2–1, Singapore 14–0 and Mexico 10–0. They lost to Canada 5–4 and New Zealand 10–0. This record was not good enough to advance them to the semi-finals. Overall, they finished fifth, behind third-place finished the United States and fourth-place finishers Japan. [4] [5]

In 1996, Australia finished seventh. [5] In 2000, Australia finished in the twelfth position. [5] In 2004, the team finished third. [5]

For the 2008 ISF Men's Regional World Championship Qualifier, Australia had to play New Zealand in a match in Auckland where the New Zealand Black Sox beat them 6–0. In other match in the qualifiers, Australia beat Papua New Guinea 8–0, Guam 16–0, Guam 15–0, and Papua New Guinea 5–0. Australia also lost to New Zealand a second time 5–3. In the qualifying finals, New Zealand again beat Australia 5–0. [6]

Australia competed in the 2009 Men's World Softball Championship, with fifteen other teams. They finished first. [7] [5]

Australia has qualified for the 2013 Men's World Softball Championship, which was held in New Zealand. [7]

Australia got 3rd place in this 2013 tournament. [8]

As of September 2024, Australia is No. 2 in WBSC/KONAMI World Rankings

Pacific International Series

Australia hosted the Pacific International Series in Canberra in 2007. At the competition, Australia had two men's side with the top team being Australia Greenand the second team being Australia Gold. During the first round of round robin play, Australia Green beat Australia Gold 7–2, beat Japan 2–1, lost to New Zealand 5–2, beat Japan 7–0, beat New Zealand 5–3, and lost to Australia Gold 5–4. This qualified them for the finals where they beat Australia Gold 7–6. Australia Green then went on to bear New Zealand 3–2 in the Grand Final. [6]

Test series and matches

In 1985, Australia had an unofficial test team of all-stars who played against the New Zealand national team in Melbourne. Team members included L. Anderson from Western Australia, A. Oldfather Jr from South Australia, E. Tyson from Queensland, T. Bull from Western Australia, S. Adams from Victoria, A. Oldfather Sr from South Australia, D. Rector from Western Australia, E Wulf from New South Wales, G. Knight from Western Australia, D. Cullen from New South Wales, R. Richardson from New South Wales and N. Tsoukalas from Victoria. [9]

In 1991, the team played an eight-game test series against New Zealand, with four matches played in Perth and four played in Sydney. All eight matches were won by New Zealand. In Perth, the scores were 8–1, 1–0, 6–5 and 6–3. In Sydney, the scores were 10–1, 6–2, 6–1 and 4–2. [4]

In 2007, the Australians hosted New Zealand for a test match in Canberra where Australia won. [6]

In early 2012, the junior national team played a test match against the senior open men's team in Canberra. [10]

Men's U19 National Team - Junior Steelers

Australia has a men's national under 19 team, nicknamed the Colts. [10] They competed at the 1993 Men's Junior World Championships, where the finished fourth. [3] The competition was held in Auckland. In the round robin round, Australia won 7 games and lost 5. They beat Japan 3–0, Argentina 10–6, the United States 4–3, the Philippines 4–0, Argentina 6–1 and Japan 5–1. They lost to Canada 8–6, the United States 4–3, New Zealand 6–0, Canada 12–3, and New Zealand 2–1. This was good enough to qualify them for the semi-finals where they met Japan and lost 4–1. They were then eliminated from the competition as the next round was a preliminary final. [11]

Australia also competed at the 2008 Men's Junior World Championships where they won gold for the fourth time in a row having previously won in 1997, 2001 and 2005. [5] [6] In 2011, the team played in a tournament in South America. Members of the 2012 team include two players from Canberra including Jesse Taws and Matthew Wickham. [10]

Indigenous players

There has been a push for greater Australian aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in softball. One of the most recognisable male players is Aboriginal Jeff Goolagong who has played for the men's national team and appears on posters for Indigenous softball outreach efforts. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Softball at the Summer Olympics</span>

Softball was on the Olympic program from 1996 to 2008. It was introduced at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was removed from the program for 2012 and 2016, but was added for a one-off appearance, along with baseball, for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Softball in Australia is played in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women's Softball World Cup</span> International womens softball tournament

The Women's Softball World Cup is a fastpitch softball tournament for women's national teams held historically every four years, now every two years, by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). The tournament, originally known as the ISF Women's World Championship, was sanctioned by the International Softball Federation (ISF) until that body's 2013 merger with the International Baseball Federation to create the WBSC. The number of teams in the tournament began at five in its inaugural event in 1965, went to a high of 28 for the 1994 edition, and now the WBSC Code legislates that the maximum number of teams that may participate is 16. There are qualifying tournaments that determine which countries will play at the World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinese Taipei national baseball team</span> National mens baseball team of Taiwan

The Chinese Taipei national baseball team is the national men's baseball team of Taiwan. It is governed by the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association. The team is ranked fourth in the world by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. The team is usually made up of professionals from Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League, Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, and Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball from the United States.

The Australia women's national softball team, also known as the Aussie Spirit, is the national softball team of Australia. It is governed by Softball Australia and takes part in international softball competitions. They are one of Australia's most successful women's sporting teams on the world stage, and they have achieved outstanding results over the last 3 decades. Alongside the USA team, the Aussie Spirit are the only other team to medal at all 4 Olympics that softball was included as a sport in the Olympics program. At the inaugural Women's Softball World Championship held in Melbourne, 1965. Australia claimed the first ever title, winning Gold and stamped themselves as a pioneer in the sport.

The Mexico men's national softball team is the men's national softball team of Mexico. It is governed by Federación Mexicana de Softbol, A. C. a member of the International Softball Federation.

Denmark men's national softball team has been competing internationally since 1985. The team's best result is winning the 2010 European Championship in Havlíčkův Brod in the Czech Republic.

Softball is played in New South Wales, introduced to the state in 1939. By 1984, there were 1,356 registered teams in New South Wales. Players from Australia have been on the men's and women's national team, had AIS scholarships, played at universities in the United States, and professionally in the US, Japan and Europe.

Softball is played in South Australia.

Softball is played in Western Australia.

Softball is played in the Australian Capital Territory. The game was influenced early in its history in the territory by Queanbeyan. There are efforts to increase participation in the sport in the ACT. The territory has won the Gilleys Shield three times in a row. Players from Canberra have been on the national team, held Australian Institute of Sport scholarships and played for American universities.

Chinese Taipei men's national softball team is the national team for Taiwan. The 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. The team played 13 games in the round robin round. Australia beat Chinese Taipei 2–0 in one game in this round. The 1992 World Championships, the eighth time the event was competed for, was held in Manila. Australia beat Chinese Taipei 9–2 in one game in the first round robin round. They finished with 4 wins and 4 losses. The team competed at the 1996 ISF Men's World Championship in Midland, Michigan where they finished with 4 wins and 6 losses. The team competed at the 2000 ISF Men's World Championship in East London, Eastern Cape where they finished fifteenth.

The Virgin Islands men's national softball team is the top men's softball team for the territory of the Virgin Island.

Cuba men's national softball team represents Cuba in international softball competitions. The team played at the 1988 World Championships, which were held in Saskatoon, Canada. They played 13 games in a round robin tournament, and beat Australia 7–4 in one game.

The Canada men's national softball team represents Canada in international softball. They are overseen by Softball Canada, the governing body of softball in Canada.

Japan men's national softball team is the national team for Japan. The 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. The team played 13 games in the round robin round. Japan beat Australia 4–1 in one game in this round. The team competed at the 1992 ISF Men's World Championship in Manila, Philippines where they finished with 7 wins and 2 losses. The team competed at the 1996 ISF Men's World Championship in Midland, Michigan where they finished with 10 wins and 5 losses. The team competed at the 2000 ISF Men's World Championship in East London, South Africa where they finished second. The team competed at the 2004 ISF Men's World Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand where they finished fifth. The team competed at the 2009 ISF Men's World Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where they finished sixth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States men's national softball team</span>

United States men's national softball team is the national team for the United States. The 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. The team played 13 games in the round robin round. The United States beat Australia 21–1 in one game in this round. The team competed at the 1992 ISF Men's World Championship in Manila, Philippines where they finished with 10 wins and 3 losses. The team competed at the 1996 ISF Men's World Championship in Midland, Michigan where they finished with 10 wins and 4 losses. The team competed at the 2000 ISF Men's World Championship in East London, South Africa where they finished third. The team competed at the 2004 ISF Men's World Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand where they finished third. The team competed at the 2009 ISF Men's World Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where they finished fourth.

Indonesia men's national softball team is the national team for Indonesia. The 1992 World Championships, the eighth time the event was competed for, was held in Manila. Australia beat Indonesia 5–4 in one game in the first round robin round. The team competed at the 2009 ISF Men's World Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where they finished sixteenth.

Singapore men's national softball team is the national team for Singapore.

Philippines men's national softball team is the national team for the Philippines. The 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. The team played 13 games in the round robin round. They finished eighth overall. The team competed at the 1992 ISF Men's World Championship in Manila, Philippines where they finished with 5 wins and 3 losses. The team competed at the 2000 ISF Men's World Championship in East London, South Africa where they finished tenth. The team competed at the 2004 ISF Men's World Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand where they finished tenth. The team competed at the 2009 ISF Men's World Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where they finished tenth. They would participate in most of the succeeding editions. However from 2009 to 2022, they maintained a losing streak in the competition until their 8–0 win over Denmark in 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "The WBSC Men's Softball World Ranking". WBSC. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 Australia, Softball. "Aussie Steelers Squad Announced". www.softball.org.au. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Embrey, Lynn (1995). "Appendix K". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. p. 174.
  4. 1 2 3 Embrey, Lynn (1995). "Appendix N". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. pp. 194–195.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Softball ACT". Act.softball.org.au. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Senior Men's Program". Softball Australia 2007/2008 Yearbook (PDF). Australia: Softball Australia. 2008. pp. 37–39. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Bailey selected to join Steelers". Ipswich News. Australia. 29 February 2012. p. 34. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  8. ↑ "順位". World Baseball Softball Confederation (in Japanese). Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  9. ↑ Embrey, Lynn (1995). "Appendix R". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. pp. 214–215.
  10. 1 2 3 "Canberra Times: Canberra duo selected for Australian under-19 squad". The Canberra Times. Australia: Financial Times Limited – Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  11. ↑ Embrey, Lynn (1995). "Appendix O". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. p. 196.
  12. ↑ "Softball: Softball Australia". A survey of cultural diversity and racism in Australian sport (PDF). Australia: Australian Human Rights Commission. p. 163. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
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