Netherlands Eldrick Dijkhoff's diving play No. 1 in WBSC Softball Top-10 Plays of 2024
An action-packed 2024 softball season, with 136 games across three different World Cups and six different countries, delivered plenty of emotion, thrilling contests and inspirational moments. It also showcased plenty of world class athletes, putting on a superb display of natural talent, deserved of the best players in the world. To celebrate them and their amazing skillset, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Media Department has selected the Top-10 Softball Plays of 2024.
A spectacular diving play by the Netherlands Men's National Softball Team shortstop Eldrick Dijkhoff went down as the best softball play of the year.
On September 18, Netherlands and USA faced off in Oklahoma City in Game 7 of the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group C. With two outs in the top of the fourth inning and the home team leading 6-0, USA second baseman Codi Pannebecker stepped into the batter’s box and hit a sharp grounder up the middle. It seemed destined to reach centre field for an RBI single, but Dijkhoff made a stunning diving stop and, with a quick and challenging throw, retired Pannebecker at first base.
USA went onto win the game 11-0.
Dijkhoff retired from the National Team at the end of the year.
The top-10, which features six plays from the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup group stage, three from the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals and one from the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup group stage, includes a walk-off grand slam, two perfect outfield assists, diving catches and brilliant infield plays.
These are the Softball Top-10 Plays of 2024:
- Eldrick Dijkhoff amazing diving play
- Jonathan Cardona's throw
- Natalie Wideman unreal diving catch in foul territory
- Mathieu Roy robs an extra-base hit with a diving catch at left field
- Yaru Xu shows some reflexes for a diving stop at third
- Maiker Pimentel acrobatic throw
- Netherlands' team effort to retire the runner at home
- Angel Adames smooth play at second
- Callum Pilgrim's bronze-medal winning walk-off grand slam
- Seii Kuroiwa dives for a spectacular catch