Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Olympic Softball”View of Yokohama Baseball Stadium from center field while Canada and Japan play during the round robin phase of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, July 26, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. It was the first time in history the Olympic Games were not held in the year originally scheduled. No fans were permitted to attend games due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Olympic Softball”Team Japan infielder Yu Yamamoto (5) falls over the barricade to try to make a catch in the sixth inning against Team United States in the opening round softball match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, July 26, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. The Japan Olympics Committee elected not to build a softball-specific venue, opting to use an existing baseball stadium to stage the softball games ahead of the baseball competition. Athletes weren’t used to some of the nuances of the retrofitted field of play.
Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Olympic Softball”Team United States utility Kelsey Stewart (7) rounds the bases after hitting a walk-off home run in the seventh inning against Team Japan in the opening round softball game during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, July 26, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.
Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Olympic Softball”The grounds crew prepares the field for an opening-round softball game between Canada and Italy during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, July 26, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.
Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Olympic Softball”Team Italy infielder Giulia Longhi (14) walks back to her third base position between pitches during a game against Canada in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, July 26, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. It was the first time Italy fielded a team in the softball competition of the game. They exited the competition without winning a game.
Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Olympic Softball”A member of Team Canada staff supports the team in the fourth inning during an opening-round game against Canada in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, July 26, 2021 at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. Fans were not permitted to watch the games due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Olympic Softball”Team Canada infielder Jennifer Salling (7) scores a run in the fifth inning before Team Italy catcher Marta Gasparotto (19) can apply the tag during an opening-round game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, July 26, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.
Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Olympic Softball”Team Canada celebrates the win against Mexico during the Bronze Medal Game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, Jul 27, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. Canada won, 3-2.
Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports, “Olympic Softball”Team United States left fielder Janette Reed (9) makes a catch at the left-field wall, robbing a potential two-run home run against Japan during the seventh inning in the gold medal game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, July 27, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. Japan won 2-0.
Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports, “Olympic Softball”Team Japan celebrate after their win over the United States of America in the gold medal game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, July 27, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. Japan won 2-0. The Japanese defeated the Americans for the second consecutive Olympics.
Second place, Sports Picture Story - Kareem Elgazzar / Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports, “Olympic Softball”Team United States left fielder Janette Reed (left) hugs shortstop Delaney Spaulding (right) after their loss to Japan in the gold medal game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games, July 27, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. Japan won 2-0. The Japanese defeated the Americans for the second consecutive Olympics.
