The Australian Under-19 Men’s Softball Team was from the onset regarded as the underlying favorite to take back-to-back titles. The pressure on them was immense. Not only was the VI ISF Junior Men’s World Championship being played in their own backyard, but they had the arduous task of defending Australia’s World Title won four years in Canada.

An exemplary display of power-pitching from Marty Grant of New Zealand led the defending world champions to a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the 10th World Men’s Softball championship at the Phillip Kahts Stadium, East London, South Africa.