PLANT CITY, Florida (AP) — Eleven teams were picked Wednesday to play in softball’s inaugural Youth World Cup in the Czech Republic in August, two months before an IOC vote on the sport’s possible reinstatement in the Olympics.
The International Softball Federation said Canada, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Russia, Venezuela and Zimbabwe would participate in the fast-pitch tournament for girls 16 and under in Prague from Aug. 9-16.

“The fact that we’ll have teams from 11 different countries representing four regions playing in this event shows the worldwide growth and popularity of our sport, especially at the youth level,” ISF president Don Porter said in a statement.

Softball and baseball were dropped from the Olympics for the 2012 London Games, but are seeking reinstatement for the 2016 Games. Five other sports — rugby, squash, golf, roller sports and karate — are also competing for two spots on the program. The vote will be held in October in Copenhagen, Denmark.