(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup 2025 Returns to Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY, USA: The WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2025 will bring the world’s top young players back to Oklahoma City from September 27 to October 1, marking the third time this iconic city hosts the sport’s premier youth tournament.
Oklahoma City first hosted the Junior Women’s Softball World Championship in 1987, after earlier editions were held in Edmonton (1981) and Fargo, North Dakota (1985). That year marked a turning point as it became the first championship exclusively for female teams, separate from the Junior Men’s event.
Construction delays forced the inaugural event to be held at Eggeling Stadium instead of the then-new ASA Hall of Fame Stadium (now Devon Park), but that did not slow the excitement. USA pitcher Michele Granger, just 17 at the time, delivered an unforgettable performance, going 7-0 with 97 strikeouts in 56.1 innings, including a one-hit, 17-strikeout win over China in a dramatic 12-inning final. The tournament drew an estimated 52,000 spectators, far surpassing previous editions.
Devon Park officially opened later that year and has since become one of softball’s most iconic venues. In 2015, the World Cup returned to Oklahoma City with 15 teams, where the USA clinched gold in an 8-1 victory over Japan. That edition also featured future Olympic stars like Bubba Nickles (USA), Kelsey Harshman (Canada), and Erika Piancastelli (Italy).
2025: Continuing the Legacy
Nearly 40 years after Granger’s historic performance, Oklahoma City will once again host the world’s best U-18 women’s teams. Devon Park will welcome five days of thrilling action, showcasing the next generation of softball stars.
From the early days at Eggeling Stadium to the record-breaking moments at Devon Park, Oklahoma City has been at the heart of youth softball history. The 2025 World Cup Finals promise to add the next chapter to a legacy that has shaped the sport globally.
