The 2024 Women's Baseball World Cup wrapped up yesterday and, for the seventh straight time, Madonna Japan was the champion. Their road was a bit harder than in past years as they barely squeaked by Canada last Monday and they lost a game in pool play for the first time since 2012 when Team USA beat them 4-3 on a bases loaded balk call on Thursday. Japan took the lead in the third inning against Team USA in yesterday's gold medal game and at one point led 11-1 before giving up some runs late. The final score was 11-6.
Outfielder Miu Shiraishi was named MVP of the tournament. Just 24 years old, she'll likely be a staple of Japan's team in future Women's Baseball World Cups. I suspect, though, that this was the swan song in international competition of a couple players who've long played for Japan - Ayami Sato and Yuki Kawabata. Sato, 34, was playing in her sixth World Cup but only appeared in one game - striking out five in five innings on Thursday against Team USA but giving up a three run home run (all three runs were unearned however). Kawabata, 35, was appearing in her fifth World Cup, batting .316 with a two run home run against the US in yesterday's gold medal game. (I was a little annoyed at the broadcasters during yesterday's game who claimed that her brother, Shingo Kawabata of the Swallows, was the team captain of the men's Samurai Japan team. While the symmetry of the Kawabata siblings being the captains of their respective national teams makes a nice story, it's not true. Shingo Kawabata has only played for Samurai Japan once - 2015 Premier 12 tournament - and I don't believe he was the captain of that squad.)
Here are JWBL cards for Shiraishi, Sato and Kawabata:
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| 2018 Epoch JWBL #78 |
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| 2016 Epoch JWBL #43 |
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| 2017 AIAIO JWBL #A17-23-04 |
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