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A look at softball's global appeal and the nations driving the surge in popularity

November 28, 2022

A look at softball's global appeal and the nations driving the surge in popularity


A look at softball's global appeal and the nations driving the surge in popularity

For those who are somewhat in the dark about the ins and outs of the famous sport called softball, it is, in essence, a variation of baseball and is typically played on a smaller field.

Furthermore, the game is just as fast-paced and can deliver record-breaking entertainment that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

 

Below, we'll look into what is driving softball's surge in popularity and which nations are at the heart of the revolution.

Why does softball hold such global appeal?

To begin with, softball is often seen as a more accessible sport than baseball given that it requires less equipment and can be played in a variety of settings. Additionally, softball generally has shorter games, making it ideal for those with limited time.

As a result of its popularity, softball is often used as a way to promote physical activity and social interaction. In many countries, softball leagues are organized for people from all walks of life, which provides an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy the game in a relaxed environment.

Which nations play softball?

Needless to say, softball is a sport with a long and storied history that makes it totally unique. Although it's often seen as a quintessentially American game, it is also eagerly played in the most far-flung places of the globe. Some of the best and most active nations include New Zealand, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, and of course, the United States.

Due to the greater interest, these countries have perhaps unsurprisingly produced some of the most talented players in the world thanks to their high-level coaching and superior facilities. Besides this, these countries have competitive softball leagues that allow players to compete at a high level regularly. Because of this, these countries are always among the top contenders at international tournaments.

These aforementioned professional leagues and organizations which are known as the National Pro Fastpitch and the World Baseball Softball Confederation have completely transformed the world's opinion of the sport. In essence, as the sport continues to grow and these leagues go from strength to strength, is expected that even more countries will begin to embrace softball as their national pastime which will mean greater participation in the World Cups to come and not just the 16 teams that compete in the current format.

Who will win the next Softball World Cup?

The next Softball World Cup is scheduled to take place in late November 2022 and it promises to be a show-stopping event. While New Zealand has been dominant in recent years - winning a record seven World Cups since 1966 - several other countries could mount a serious challenge for the title.

In particular, Australia, Japan, America, and Canada are all likely to field strong teams, and notably, each nation has a history of success at the World Cup. As a result, predicting which nation will be crowned the eventual World Champions is difficult, especially as there aren't any odds available for this event in the latest sports betting markets that tend to focus on Major League Baseball instead. For instance, fans can only see the Los Angeles Dodgers, as of November 21, at a price of +400 to win the 2023 T-Mobile MLB World Series rather than what odds New Zealand is at to win the Softball World Cup.

In many respects, this goes to show that there is still some way to go in capturing the world's undivided attention when it comes to making softball a household sport globally.

 

However, it's worth saying that based on recent results and the current state of the sport, New Zealand will undoubtedly go in as the overwhelming favorite to win their eighth softball world title on home soil.

The only way is up

In conclusion, softball's popularity has been on a sharp rise in recent years, thanks in large part to the success of the various leagues and tournaments that have been launched which have inspired global participation. The sport has also benefited from increased media coverage as well as the addition of softball to the Olympic program.

With softball's popularity growing to the degree that it has, it is surely only a matter of time before the sport becomes truly worldwide. In the meantime, softball fans can enjoy watching the best players in the world compete at the very highest levels.

 

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