By Duncan Mackay

Miyazaki's Sun Marine Stadium will be the centrepiece of the 2014 Women's Baseball World CupOctober 25 - Miyazaki in Japan has been awarded the 2014 Women's Baseball World Cup, it was announced today.


It will be the second time that the biannual event, first held in 2004, has taken place in Japan.

Matsuyama hosted the tournament in 2008, an event won by Japan, the start of three consecutive victories, having also triumphed at the events in Maracay, Venezuela, in 2010 and again in Edmonton, Canada, last year.

The event in Miyazaki, located on the coast on the island of Kyushu, is due to take place between September 1 and 7 and will include eight countries that will face-off in the double round-robin format.

Miyazaki's 30,000-capacity Sun Marine Stadium and Ivy Stadium, a spring training venue for Nippon Professional Baseball team Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, will serve as the two competition venues.

Japan celebrates after beating the United States to win the Women's World Cup in Edmonton last yearJapan celebrates after beating the United States to win the Women's World Cup in Edmonton last year

"This city's baseball infrastructure will provide the athletes and fans with a world-class experience and atmosphere," said Riccardo Fraccari, Co-President of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).

"We are fully confident Miyazaki will serve our colleagues at the Baseball Federation of Japan, in cooperation with the local authorities, to showcase an excellent and exciting women's Championship in Japan, as well as promote women's sport in general and the city itself, ensuring a great legacy.

"Awarding the hosting rights to the excellent city of Miyazaki confirms that baseball and softball will continue to play a prominent role on Japan's sport culture and industry, and will continue to act as a driving force throughout the territory for mobilizing youth and women into sport."

Japan are also reigning champions of the Women's Softball World Championship and the World Cup of Softball, winning those events in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

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