USA Softball has announced its schedule for the 2006 season. The USA will compete in several major events this season, including the ISF Women’s World Championship in Beijing, China, and World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City. 

USA Softball will hold its 2006 World Championship Team Selection Camp June 12-16, where over 35 athletes will be invited to compete for a spot on the 2006 roster. 

Seventeen players will be selected from the camp to compete in all USA Softball Women’s National Team events, including games against the Texas Thunder and the Arizona Heat of National Pro Fastpitch during the first and last weekends of July. 

Team USA will look to make a statement by taking the title at the World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City, Okla., July 11-18. The USA is expected to be facing powerhouses from all over the world, including Australia, China, Japan, Canada and Great Britain. 

Following the World Cup, Team USA will have a month to complete preparations for its run at a sixth consecutive world championship and the No. 1 seed at the 2008 Summer Olympics. The ISF Women’s World Championship in Beijing, China, will be held, August 27-September 5, and should be the most highly contested World Championship in more than a decade. 

The USA Women’s National Team wraps up its season on the road at the Japan Cup in Yokohama, Japan, November 13-19 where it will look to regain its title from 2004. 

USA Softball will also field a team to compete at the World University Games in Taiwan, July 12-24. This team will feature athletes who have just finished college or have college eligibility remaining. The U.S. won the first World University Games held in Plant City, Fla., in 2005. 

2006 USA Softball Schedule of Events 

June-August — National Team training Chula Vista, Calif. 

June 9-11 — World University Games Selection Camp (Chula Vista, Calif.) 
June 12-16 — National Team Selection Camp (Chula Vista, Calif.) 
July 1-2 — Exhibition Game vs. Arizona Heat (Tucson, Ariz.) 
July 5-11 — World University Games Team Training (Chula Vista, Calif.) 
July 11-18 — World Cup of Softball (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 
July 12-24 — World University Softball Championship (Taiwan) 
July 29-30 — Exhibition Game vs. Texas Thunder (Houston, Texas) 
August 27-Sept. 5 — World Championships (Beijing, China) 
September 15-18 — Junior Women’s Selection Camp (Chula Vista, Calif.) 
September 18-22 — 2007 National Team Selection Camp (Chula Vista, Calif.) 
November 13-19 — Japan Cup (Yokohama, Japan)