Whitehorse is scheduled to host the Canadian and American Senior Women's Fast Pitch teams on Tuesday and Wednesday for two exhibition games.

Both teams won medals at the World Championship last week in Caracas, Venezuela. Canada won bronze and will play host to the gold-medal winning team from U.S.

The two teams will be in the territory as part of the preparations for the International Softball Federation XIII Women's World Championship in 2012, which is being held in Whitehorse.

Many people counted Canada out of the medals at last week's world championship in Venezuela, but the team scored late runs in games against Australia and China to earn a spot in the bronze medal game.

Although they lost to Japan, who went on to win the silver medal, Canada accomplished what they set out to do and won the first ever medal by the Women's National Team program.

"The Women's National Team are just getting back from an incredible tournament and having two of the world's top three teams compete in Whitehorse is going to be a treat for all fans,” said George Arcand, chair of the 2012 organizing committee and Softball Yukon executive director. "We are excited to be hosting two games featuring some of the world's best fast pitch athletes.”

During their two-day visit, the teams will conduct a practice each day and play an exhibition game each night at the Pepsi Softball Centre.

Games are expected to start at 6:30 p.m. with a $5 per person charge at the gate for each game. Practice schedules have not been set and organizers are optimistic practices will be open to the public.

A press conference and media meet-and-greet will be held Monday. An advisory with further details will be released later this week.

When the Women's World Championships are held in Whitehorse in 2012, sixteen countries will be represented in Whitehorse, including Canada, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Greece, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, United States and Venezuela.

With 20 hours of daylight, softball games will be played – on unlit fields – well into the evening hours. Whitehorse has a number of top-quality ball fields, which will allow organizers to meet the 10-day, 60-plus games schedule.

Submitted by Softball Yukon.