It is the first time that any of the International Softball Federation's (ISF) four World Championships [men’s, women’s, junior men’s, and junior women’s] will have been played in the United States since the men’s World Championship in Michigan in 1996.

 

Oklahoma City beat out Jakarta, Indonesia, for the event that will be held in a stadium named after Don Porter, the president of the International ISF.

 

Porter said: “Other than the Olympics, the women’s World Championship is probably our highest profile event."

 

Softball was controversially dropped from the Olympic programme for London 2012 but has now launched a strong campaign to be re-admitted for 2016.

 

If they win their place back when the International Olympic Committee votes at its Session in Copenhagen in October 2009 then the following year's World Championships will be something of a celebration event.

 

Porter said: "Oklahoma City has experience with hosting major softball tournaments and the facilities there are excellent. 

 

"This will surely be a memorable event for the participants as well as the spectators and media.

 

“On behalf of the Council, we do, however, want to thank the Amateur Softball Association of Indonesia for what was also a very compelling bid.”

 

The ISF XII Women’s World Championship will be played in Don E. Porter Stadium at the ASA National Hall of Fame Complex from July 9-19, 2010. 

 

The United States are the defending ISF world champions, having won the 11th edition of the event in 2006 in China when they broke a scoreless tie after five innings, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth en route to a 3-0 victory over Japan in the gold medal game.

 

Qualifying tournaments will take place around the world to determine the 16 teams that will compete in the 2010 event. 

 

Representation comes from five regions: Africa, Americas , Asia, Europe, and Oceania.