Yukiko Ueno earns Women's Softball World Cup MVP honours

International Softball legend Yukiko Ueno earned WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024 MVP honours.

"I'm very happy," she told the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) in English, continuing through an interpreter. "I didn't believe I could pitch until this age [42], but I feel well, and I want to continue pitching until my body allows me to take the field."

The WBSC announced the All-World Team during the event's closing ceremony. Seven out of the eight teams participating in the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024 have at least one player on the All-World Team.

Japan (4) has the largest representation, followed by USA (2). Canada, China, Italy, the Netherlands, and Puerto Rico have one player each.

Sara Groenewegen (Canada) was picked as the starting pitcher, with Kelly Maxwell from USA as the best reliever.

Japanese star Yume Kiriishi is the starting catcher.

The infield features Eri Shimoyama (Japan) at first base, Suka Van Gurp (Netherlands) at second, Jessie Warren (USA) at third and Kyoko Ishikawa (Japan) at shortstop.

Hotaru Tsukamoto (Japan), Tatiamna Roman (Puerto Rico) and Erika Piancastelli (Italy) are the best three outfielders.

China's Min Ren was voted the best designated player.

The WBSC also announced the individual awards based on the tournament's statistics.

Kyoko Ishikawa (Japan) was the leading hitter with a .625 batting average. There were 11 hitters with one home run. Puerto Rico's Camille Ortiz Martinez accomplished the feat with just five at-bats.

Megan Faraimo (USA) won both the best Earned Run Average (ERA; she allowed no earned run in 12 innings pitched) and the best win-loss average (2-0).

Jessica Warren had the most Runs Batted In (RBIs), six.

Italy's Isabella Dayton had the most runs scored, six.

Jaxin Xie, who started five games at second base for China and didn't commit an error, was named the best defensive player.