Softball at the 1981 World Games

Women's softball at World Games I
Canada's men's softball team at the 1981 World Games
World Games I Women's Softball, Bahamas post-game celebration, August 1981. After the bronze-medal clinching women's softball game, Bahamian fans staged an impromptu celebration that wound its way around the perimeter of the field, with continual singing, dancing, music and Caribbean beats.

Both men's and women's softball tournaments were conducted during World Games I. The games were played July 30 - August 2, 1981 at Central Park in Santa Clara, California. Teams from the United States, Canada, the Bahamas and Chinese Taipei participated in the women's event, while in the men's event, the United States, Canada, the Bahamas and Mexico were initially slated to appear. As the time of the Games approached, the Mexican team withdrew for financial reasons and was replaced by a second team from the United States.

All three U.S. teams were intact successful high-level softball teams, well known in the U.S. softball community. The Raybestos Brakettes club from Connecticut was the women's team. United States I, the original selection for the Games, was the Peterbilt team from Seattle, Washington. After Mexico's decision, the Guanella Brothers team from Santa Rosa, California was engaged in the role of United States II.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Kathy Arendsen pitched four shutouts for the U.S. women, culminating in a perfect game in the championship final.[12]

  1. ^ "World Games Results International, at Santa Clara, Calif. Aug., 2". United Press International. Aug 2, 1981.
  2. ^ "Santa Clara, USA 1981 Calendar & Results". International World Games Association. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  3. ^ "Results of the World Games". International World Games Association. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  4. ^ "World Games". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. August 1, 1981. p. 4E.
  5. ^ "World Games". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. August 3, 1981. p. 6D.
  6. ^ Payne, Dave (July 23, 1981). "Fastpitch softball may undergo revival during Games". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. p. 6E.
  7. ^ "U.S. hits wood instead of gold in Games". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. August 1, 1981. p. 1E.
  8. ^ "American team remains unbeaten in softball". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. August 1, 1981. p. 5E.
  9. ^ "A big wheel of World Games adds third win". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. August 2, 1981. p. 5E.
  10. ^ Finch, Peter (August 3, 1981). "A 'perfect' finish for World Games I". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. p. 1D.
  11. ^ Finch, Peter (August 3, 1981). "Perfect game by Arendsen closes Games". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. p. 3D.
  12. ^ SARGIS, JOE (Aug 2, 1981). "Arendsen pitches perfect game". United Press International.