World Games, Softball: It’s redemption time for Team USA – preview, schedule and stars to watch
The U.S. will face off with Team Japan, who defeated them a year ago for Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020
The U.S. softball team, who lost to Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games - will get a chance for redemption at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
The competition will be fierce with all three teams that landed on the podium in Tokyo - Japan, USA and Canada - participating. Can the U.S., who have won three of the five Olympic gold medals in the sport's history, reclaim the title they captured last at the 1985 World Games in London?
Action begins Saturday, 9 July, and here's what to look for, including how to watch right here on Olympics.com..
Softball at World Games 2022: Schedule
The softball tournament at the World Games runs 9-13 July with medals set to be determined on the 13th at 7pm local time.
The complete softball schedule is available here.
Softball at World Games 2022: Stars to watch
Eight women who competed for Team USA at Tokyo 2020 will feature on the roster for the World Games, Haylie McCleney, a Birmingham-area native that played collegiately for the University of Alabama.
“For me to be able to step back into my hometown, put on a Team USA jersey and play in front of my family and friends, I never really thought I’d get another chance to do it, to be honest. I’m really, really excited,” McCleney told TheWorldGames.org.
They'll face tough competition in Japan, who won Olympic gold a year ago on home turf. The U.S. lost 7-1 to the Japanese squad Wednesday (6 July) in an exhibition game, but earlier in the day the North American team defeated Australia 4-0.
Olympic bronze medallists Canada are also set to participate in Birmingham.
Softball at the World Games 2022: How to watch
Olympic Channel will provide full coverage of the event on Olympics.com, including a 24/7 stream and individual sport feeds.
Olympics.com will also have feature interviews and news articles. Look out for more content on the @Olympics social media channels.
In addition, fans in the United States have several viewing options including one-hour highlight shows each day on CBS Sports Network and streaming coverage through Paramount+.
German TV channel Sport1 will also be broadcasting more than 100 hours of action to viewers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.