When the first pitch was thrown in a game between Australia and Japan on Wednesday morning, softball fans around the world celebrated the return of their sport to the Olympic stage after a 13-year absence.
“We ARE back … SOFTBALL is back in the Olympics!” Natasha Watley, a two-time U.S. Olympic softball player and a gold medalist in 2004, tweeted before the game. “I’ll be glued to the tv for the next week!”
Japan’s game against Australia was the first contest ahead of the opening ceremony and one of several softball games and soccer matches scheduled before the official start.