You should watch the Women’s Baseball World Cup

Listen, we know it’s tough to catch up on everything happening in the baseball world each morning. There are all kinds of stories, rumors, game coverage, and Vines of dudes getting hit in the beans every day. Trying to find all of it while on your way to work or sitting at your desk just isn’t easy. It’s okay, though, we’re going to do the heavy lifting for you each morning, and find the things you need to see from within the SB Nation baseball network as well as from elsewhere. Please hold your applause until the end, or at least until after you subscribe to the newsletter.

The Women’s Baseball World Cup kicked off on September 2, and no, I don’t mean softball. I mean baseball. While it’s not well known that women still play baseball (since young girls are pushed toward softball instead of our nation’s pastime), they do, and they do it well. Sarah Hudek, the trailblazing collegiate baseball player who recently transitioned to softball, pitched in the title game of the 2014 Women’s Baseball World Cup. (Sadly, the US team lost.) That should tell you a lot about the level of play. (Hint: it’s exceptional.)

The Women’s Baseball World Cup was founded in 2004, and it happens every two years. There have been six tournaments, each held in a different location, but in its short history there have only been two winners: Japan and the United States. The US team won the first two, and Japan has dominated ever since. But as Athletics Nation pointed out, a lot has changed since the last World Cup two years ago, and the stronger field might actually challenge Japan, or even unseat them.

There are 12 teams in this World Cup, the largest field in its short history. India is participating for the second time, and Pakistan is in it for the very first time. Pakistan was very excited to accomplish a momentous first for their country, and when they got their very first out in the top of the first inning of their first game, they celebrated just as they should have. The entire tournament promises to be full of not just great moments, but outstanding baseball played by talented, dedicated women. And you can watch it! The entire tournament will be streamed on YouTube. The US women will play Australia tonight at 11:30 p.m. ET, and since tomorrow is a holiday, you should absolutely catch this (or any other!) contest.