Team Report
6th IBAF Women's Baseball World Cup 2014 Miyazaki Tournament Overview of the Final Player Selection Meeting
8/9/2014
Japan, 3-time consecutive champions of the IBAF Women's World Cup, winning in 2008 (held in Japan), 2010 (held in Venezuela) and 2012 (held in Canada).
The Samurai Japan Women's club is looking for its fourth consecutive championship at the 'ENEOS Presents the 6th IBAF Women's Baseball World Cup 2014 Miyazaki Tournament' to be held September 1st through September 7th. The final selection camp was held for three days starting August 6th mainly at Ehime prefecture's Botchan Stadium.
This camp, which would determine the final 20 members of the tournament team, had 23 final candidates, including the previous Canada-Edmonton tournament's MVP, pitcher Yukari Isozaki (Samurai Japan), and the MVP from the Venezuela tournament before that, infielder Ayako Rokkaku (Samurai Japan).
This became the 6th time Samurai Japan women were assembled, starting with the tryout for representatives last December.
That's why the players have a high understanding and execution of the policy of 'whether on offense or defense, we will develop the same rhythm so that there are no mistakes' expounded by manager Koichi Okura, who shined brightly as champions with this team in the 3rd and 4th tournaments and is leading the team for the first time in two tournaments, and three-time consecutive Samurai Japan coach Minoru Shimizu.
One could definitely see how the team, centered around two-time captain outfielder Akiko Shimura (Asahi Trust), performed everything from pitching, catching to infield plays and complicated sign plays without mistake during practices meant as preparation for competing in an international tournament against teams with various styles.
Still, Shimura said during the camp, 'To make sure we win that fourth one, there's more things I'll be doing,' showing an ever higher aim.
Also, through the two build-up games (women's baseball is 7 innings) played during camp, Samurai Japan women revealed their myriad patterns for winning.
On the first day in the game against a combined team from the '10th All Japan Women's Baseball Championships', the mound was given to Minami Yano (JWBL / West Flora), who had said that manager Okura 'considers Ayami Sato (JWBL / North Reia) and Isozaki to be the main axis of the pitchers.' Yano pitched well, giving up no runs for three innings.
Also, shortstop and #2 in the batting order, Miki Atsugase (JWBL / East Astraia), who said that manager Okura 'is planning to make me an offensive and defensive weapon this time, since I couldn't play in the last tournament due to a shoulder injury,' got 3 hits.
And everyone on defense showed a complete effort, bring a great 7-0 victory home in the first day's exhibition, in which 'individual ability' shone brightly.
In the second day's game against combined team Flora-Dione located in JWBL's Kansai division, there was a change of leads, and with no outs and runners on first and second in the fourth inning, the unmovable cleanup hitter Asami Nishi (AFB TTR) delivered a bunt to score, revealing the team's 'preparation for adaptation.'
Following up, Yuki Kawabata (JWBL / Astoria) delivered a two-run RBI, showing the team's 'collective strength' in an 8-3 win.
Also, after the second day's game ended, they held a baseball seminar with local women's baseball teams and women's softball. Even the young players who only showed stern faces up to this point had bright smiles on as they met with future 'Samurai Japan Women.'
Then, out of concern for the coming Typhoon #11, the final meeting was held on the 8th, one day early, in the afternoon. Manager Okura announced the 20 members chosen to represent Japan in the 6th IBAF Women's Baseball World Cup 2014 Miyazaki Tournament.
Two high school players, pitcher Akino Tanaka (senior at Fukuchiyama Seibi High School), and outfielder Arisa Tanaka (senior at Fukuchiyama Seibi High School) gained some attention coming into camp but were not chosen this time around. Still, the conductor gathered all 23 members in a meeting after the announcement of members and said:
'There were 33 Samurai Japan called at last December's tryouts. Not only for the players that weren't selected today, but out of respect for all the women playing baseball in Japan, play the game with a sense of duty. Show them that 'I will work hard.'
Alternate captain Ayako Rokkaku (Samurai Japan) expressed her resolve, 'I will be staying aware and responsible, working hard for those who have fought up to this point.'
The representatives of Japan will meet again on August 29th, and make final adjustments in Miyazaki, where the game will take place.
Japan is in Group A, and will be playing Australia, Hong Kong and Venezuela in the first round of the World Cup on September 1st. The top two teams move on to the second round. Also, the 4 teams compete in a round-robin series to determine finalists, with the round's top two teams going to the championship round. Samurai Japan women's battle for a fourth consecutive championship is about to begin.
6th IBAF Women's Baseball World Cup 2014 Miyazaki Tournament Women Player Selection
6th IBAF Women's Baseball World Cup 2014 Miyazaki Tournament a>
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