The Eddie C. Moore Complex, which has nine softball fields and a state-of-the-art training facility, will host the event for the world's top under-19 players, scheduled to take place from July 24 to 30.

It will be the first time the Floridian city will have staged an ISF World Championship.

The tournament in 2017 will be the 12th edition of the Championships and will be the second consecutive to be staged in the United States following on from Oklahoma City, which is due to host the event in 2015.

Three previous editions have also been held in the United States - Fargo in 1985, Oklahoma City in 1987 and Normal in 1995.

Ontario in Canada hosted last year's Championships, which saw Japan edge ahead of the United States in terms of overall wins after they overcame their rivals in the gold medal match to claim their fifth Word Championships crown.

China are the only other nation to have won the title, in 1985.

Japan are the reigning junior women's softball world champions following their win in Ontario last year ©WBSC



"I have every confidence that Clearwater will put on an exceptional World Championship," said World Baseball Softball vice-president and ISF President Dale McMann.

"The ISF looks forward to working closely with the organisers.

"The location and top notch facilities will be an asset for the top youth female softball athletes to compete.

"This is an important competition opportunity for this age category to be able to continue to test their skills against their counterparts from around the world."

In addition to the two upcoming Junior Women's Softball World Championships in 2015 and 2017, Midland in Michigan will host the 2016 Junior Men's World Championships.

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