Mie Nishi Municipal Stadium re-inaugurated, ready to host WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Group A

The Mie Nishi Municipal Stadium, venue of the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Group A in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was re-inaugurated this past weekend with a pair of baseball friendly games between the host nation and Argentina. Brazil won the first game, 6-5, while the second game ended in a 7-7 tie.

The 56-year-old stadium underwent a major upgrade with extensive improvements on and off the pitch, including the lighting system, which has a new tower and new technology to match the highest international standards for night-game broadcasting. The dugouts were also completely renovated to give the athletes a comfortable atmosphere and enhanced experience, with new seats, new protective fences and padding. A new electronic scoreboard was also installed.

However, the biggest changes were made on the field of play with new artificial turf in the outfield and drainage system and a new all-dirt infield, giving the venue the flexibility to host baseball and softball events.

The re-opening took place on Saturday, with the Mayor of Sao Paulo, Ricardo Nunez; City Councilor George Hato; Sao Pualo Sports Secretary, Felipe Becari; President of the Brazilian Baseball Softball Confederation, Jorge Otsuka; and President of the Argentina Baseball Federation, Roberto Braccini.

The Mie Nishi Municipal Baseball Stadium, subordinate to the Department of Sports and Leisure of the city of São Paulo, is the only public venue in Brazil to offer baseball, gateball and sumo. Located in the Bom Retiro neighborhood in the central region of the capital, the venue was inaugurated on 21 June 1958, during the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Japanese Immigration in Brazil, which were attended by the Japanese Imperial Family and the Waseda University baseball team from Tokyo.

Among other important competitions at local and national level, the stadium hosted the baseball event at the 1963 Pan American Games and the women’s softball event at the 2002 South American Games. 

The WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup will open on 23 July, with New Zealand and Chinese Taipei playing Game One of the competition at noon (local time). After that, Brazil will take on Colombia at 3pm, and Great Britain will face Czechia at 6pm. You can see the full schedule here.