The 10th International Softball Federation Junior Men’s World Softball Championship ended in the same way it began, with much pomp and circumstance.

Following Argentina’s 9-0 blowout win over New Zealand in the championship final Sunday night, the tournament’s top three teams lined up on diamond one to accept their medals.

Flanked by the Canadian honour guard, local dignitaries and their country’s flags, members of the Japanese, New Zealand, and Argentine teams were introduced and saluted while they received their various medals.

Japan earned bronze after dropping the semifinal game 3-1 to Argentina in extra innings Sunday afternoon.

Following the medal presentation, the Argentine anthem played on the loudspeakers, with the young players placing their ball caps over their hearts and humming along.

“For 10 days, we have witnessed the best softball in the world,” said George Arcand, chair of the local organizing committee.

“It’s always bittersweet when an event like this comes to an end,” Arcand added. “It’s been wonderful. The athletes have battled with pride and passion.

“The fans – some of whom have travelled thousands of miles – rain or shine have been here to witness and applaud the athletes. And we thank you.”

Three years from now, the world’s fastpitch community will return to Whitehorse to watch the senior men’s world championship.

The tournament is expected to take place in July 2017.

“We look forward to once again hosting the world in 2017, when the senior men will be here to play on these fields,” Arcand said. “It is very likely that some of these young men that have been here with us will be back.”

Yukon MP Ryan Leef presented medals to the New Zealand team.

“It was a wonderful show today,” Leef told the players on the field.

“Gentlemen, you did a fantastic job.”

He then turned to the fans who packed the bleachers full one more time, saying: “You should be very proud, not only of their accomplishments here on the field, but their sportsmanship and their accomplishments off-field. They were amazing ambassadors for the sport.”

Leef also thanked the ISF for once again bringing a world championship to the Yukon capital, saying the community “loved this opportunity.”

Leef and the federal government helped make the tournament possible by chipping in $150,000 to Softball Canada.

The funding, provided through Sport Canada’s Hosting Program, is part of a greater sum of more than $1 million through which the government has supported the national governing body for softball.

ISF president Dale McMann also thanked the Yukon community for another fine tournament, before presenting congratulatory plaques to both Softball Canada president Kevin Quinn and Softball Yukon’s Arcand.

“You just do a marvelous job here in Whitehorse,” he said. “You Yukoners are terrific hosts and terrific fans.”

Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski said each of the 10 teams involved in the tournament put on a great show.

“We look forward to ISF coming back to Yukon again in the future.”

The ceremony ended with the ISF tournament flag passing from the Canadian contingent into U.S. hands, with the next junior men’s world championships slated to occur in Midland, Mich., in 2016.

The U.S. team will be considered one of the favourites in the 2016 tournament after finishing fifth with six 17-year-olds at this year’s event.

The Americans weren’t expected to contend due to a lack of fastpitch players in the baseball-loving nation, but surprised many by contending for a playoff spot.