Softball World Cup 2012 Bracket: Breaking Down All 6 Teams

Women's softball has been growing across the globe and the biggest example of its growth is how more teams are participating in the World Cup of Softball.

In 2012, Puerto Rico and Brazil will be making their first appearance at the event. 

Aside from those two clubs, teams like United States, Canada, Australia and Netherlands bring experience to the table. The event takes place on June 27 and finishes July 2. 

Let's take a look at each team at the 2012 World Cup of Softball.

Note: Not every team's rosters could be located. 

Australia

Australia is a side that is accustomed to playing well in tournaments such as the World Cup of Softball. They won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics, bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics and a gold medal at the 2005 Canada Cup.

In a field full of talented players, but also inexperienced clubs, Australia has a great opportunity to shock the world.

Schedule

Game 1: Brazil

Game 2: Canada

Game 3: United States

Game 4: Puerto Rico

Game 5: Netherlands

Brazil

Brazil is a team that not too many know about. They are making their first appearance at the World Cup of Softball.

Generally, when you make your first appearance in any sport or in most things in life, the outcome isn't exactly what you expected. 

Great teams even struggled to get over the hump in the biggest moments of their career because of the inexperience.

Expect the same thing to be the case when Brazil plays in a quality competition such as the World Cup of Softball for the first time.

There will be some bumps along the road. 

Schedule

Game 1: Puerto Rico

Game 2: Australia

Game 3: Netherlands

Game 4: United States

Game 5: Canada

Canada

Any time Canada is in the same tournament as USA, the stakes get a little higher. The neighbors up north always want to give the United States a run for their money, and they will have a great opportunity at the 2012 World Cup of Softball.

Canada will open with Netherlands, a game that is very winnable. It's also a game that could give the Canadians some confidence going into its game against Australia and United States in the following game.

If they can defeat Netherlands, build up confidence and play sound, fundamental softball, it could be the exact start head coach Mark Smith was looking for. 

Players

Jordan Beck (Vancouver, BC) 
Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) 
Jocelyn Cater (Delta, BC) 
Erin Cumpstone (Saskatoon, SK) 
Marina Demore (Richmond, BC) 
Heather Ebert (Rosthern, SK) 
Jennifer Gilbert (Saskatoon, SK) 
Kelsey Haberl (Burnaby, BC) 
Victoria Hayward (Toronto, ON) 
Karissa Hovinga (Edmonton, AB) 
Sheena Lawrick (Calgary, AB) 
Caitlin Lever (Buffalo, NY) 
Joey Lye (Toronto, ON) 
Melanie Matthews (Surrey, BC) 
Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, ON) 
Madison Schreyer (Winnipeg, MB) 
Carey-Leigh Thomas (Ohsweken, ON) 
Megan Timpf (Port Dover, ON) 
Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, ON) 
Jennifer Yee (North Delta, BC)

Coaching Staff 

Head Coach: Mark Smith (Falmouth, NS) 
Assistant Coach: Melissa Basilio (Pickering, ON) 
Assistant Coach: Dave Paetkau (Abbotsford, BC) 
Assistant Coach: Glenn Boles (St. Catharines, ON) 
Team Leader: Alison Bradley (Pinkerton, ON) 
Physiotherapist: Laurie Freebairn (Maple Ridge, BC)

Schedule

Game 1: Netherlands

Game 2: Australia

Game 3: United States

Game 4: Puerto Rico 

Game 5: Brazil 

Netherlands

Netherlands softball is on the rise, but they are still nowhere close to where they need to be. A good performance at the World Cup of Softball could change people's perception about the country for future competitions.

But a porous showing could rectify what people truly believe. 

Roster

Virginie Annevald, 3B
Anne Blaauwgeers, C/IF
Dagmar Bloeming, RHP
Femke van Dusschoten, RHP
Nathalie Gosewehr, OF
Petra van Heijst, SS/2B
Saskia Kosterink, OF, 1B
Lindsey Meadows, RHP, DH
Merel Oosterveld, OF
Yonina Sint Jago, OF
Rebecca Soumeru, RHP
Areke Spel, OF
Nathalie Timmermans, C, 3B
Karin Tuk, C
Chantal Versluis, 2B/SS
Britt Vonk, 1B, 2B, SS
Meike Witteveen, IF
Jessie van Aalst, LHP, 1B
Laura van Essen, C
Dinet Oosting, C/3B
Solange Starrenburg, OF/C
Fabienne van Uden, OF
Mariëlle Vleugels, RHP
Eva Voortman, LHP
Ginger de Weert, RHP
Marisèla de Wind, OF/1B
Kayleigh Adelina, OF

Head Coach

Craig Montvidas 

Player to Watch: Saskia Kosterink

Kosterink has played more games (102) for her country than anybody else on the roster. She brings the experience and overall veteran leadership to the Netherlands. 

She hits for a very good average and she is capable of getting on base every time she steps to the plate. 

Kosterink will have to play an important role for her country if they want to have a chance to win the tournament. 

Schedule

Game 1: Canada

Game 2: Brazil

Game 3: Puerto Rico

Game 4: United States

Game 5: Australia

Puerto Rico

This is Puerto Rico's first ever trip to the World Cup of Softball. Similar to Brazil, there will be some bumps along the way especially against teams like the United States, Canada and Australia.

But the experience is what the players will remember from this trip. A team like the United States expects to win a tournament like this, but Brazil and Puerto Rico would be ecstatic if they achieve one victory.

Schedule

Game 1: Brazil

Game 2: United States

Game 3: Netherlands

Game 4: Australia

Game 5: Canada

United States

United States, the defending World Cup of Softball champions and winners of five-of-six, will have a glorious opportunity to win it again in 2012.

Going up against inferior competition, the United States shouldn't have too much trouble with the field.

But that's why they play the games.

Here is a list of the United States roster, according to USASoftball.com. 

No.	Name	Position	Hometown	B/T	College
20	Valerie Arioto	1B/Pitcher	Pleasanton, Calif.	R/R	California - 2012
19	Amanda Chidester	Utility	Allen Park, Mich.	R/R	Michigan - 2012
9	Kaitlin Cochran	Outfield	Yorba Linda, Calif.	L/L	Arizona State -2009
2	Sam Fischer	Infield	Simi Valley, Calif.	R/R	Loyola Marymount - 2012
27	Lauren Gibson	Infield	Pasadena, Md.	L/R	Tennessee – Sr.
23	Ashley Holcombe	Catcher	Fayetteville, Ga.	R/R	Alabama- 2009
18	Molly Johnson	Infield	Tucson, Ariz.	R/R	Kentucky – 2010
5	Stacy May-Johnson	Infield	Reno, Nevada	R/R	Iowa - 2006
31	Jenae Leles	Infield	Sacramento, Calif.	R/R	Arizona – 2009
16	Michelle Moultrie	Outfield	Jacksonville, Fla.	L/R	Florida – 2012
12	Christi Orgeron	Utility	New Orleans, La.	R/R	Louisiana-Lafayette - 2012
10	Keilani Ricketts	Pitcher	San Jose, Calif.	L/L	Oklahoma – Sr.
33	Jessica Shults	Catcher	Valencia, Calif.	L/R	Oklahoma - Sr.
7	Jordan Taylor	Pitcher	Valencia, Calif.	R/R	Michigan - 2011
3	Rhea Taylor	Outfield	Buford, Ga.	L/R	Missouri - 2011
1	Chelsea Thomas	Pitcher	Pleasantville, Iowa	R/R	Missouri – Sr.
11	Jackie Traina	Pitcher	Naples, Fla.	R/R	Alabama - Jr.

Player to watch: Valerie Arioto

Arioto is a consistent player who is capable of doing multiple things to help her team succeed She hit .333 in her final year (2010) at California while hitting 19 home runs and driving in 60 RBI.

But she isn't just a great player from the dish, she is a solid pitcher as well. Arioto finished her 2010 campaign with a 1.43 ERA while recording 264 strike outs. 

Schedule 

Game 1: Puerto Rico

Game 2: Australia

Game 3: Netherlands

Game 4: Canada

Game 5: Brazil 

World Cup of Softball Prediction

United States wins another tournament; Australia finishes in second.