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With the world championships underway this morning, Canada faces a daunting challenge if

they want to be on the podium when the dust settles.

The Canadian team is coming off a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Canadian Open Fastpitch International, which was hosted in Surrey, B.C. and wrapped up on Monday.

The Canadians dropped the bronze medal final 7-0 to Australia while Japan topped the U.S. 9-6 in the gold medal final.

It was an error filled tournament for Canada, who was missing a crew of their veteran players.

Star pitcher Danielle Lawrie, sister of Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie, Jennifer Salling and Caitlin Lever were each unavailable due to commitments to their U.S. based teams.

Lever was able to make the last game of the Canadain Open but Lawrie and Salling will miss the first four games in Whitehorse.

Canada is hoping the return of their veteran core will bolster the team's defence and improve the chemistry on the field, after an uncharacteristically error prone performance in B.C.

At the plate, the team remains strong, with seven to eight quality hitters.

Included on that list is Melanie Matthews, one of the best offensive players in the game.

It will be the last tournament for Matthews, who is retiring from softball after the world championships to focus on her career as an accountant.

The U.S. are the reigning champions and got the best of Canada, 17-2, in the Canadian Open.

That game was punctuated by a eight-run seventh inning for the Americans.

Canada will be looking for redemption but also attempting to wane off the skilled Australian and Japanese teams that share their pool.

"The competition level is going to be very high, said Don Porter, president of the International Softball Federation.

"Most of the teams are fairly equal. They're a few that are a bit behind but they're working at it.鈥�

In total 37 Olympians will be taking part in the championships.

Softball was removed from the Olympic program following the 2008 Beijing Games but the ISF along with several nations are lobyying to have the sport re-instated in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Two members of the International Olympic Committee will be in Whitehorse to observe the championships. There have been eight sports short listed to return to the Olympic program and softball has been included on that list.

Porter belives the IOC members will come away impressed by both the talent on the field and the facilities in Whitehorse.

"This is a world-class facility. The venue looks great and hopefully the weather holds up and we'll have a great championship.鈥�

Kevin Quinn, president of Softball Canada said that when Whitehorse hosted the Jr. Men's World Championship it was "nothing short of fantastic.鈥�

"The fan support here was unbelievable,鈥� he said.

"I have no doubt it will be the same again.鈥�

Quinn said softball is a sport that's not restricted to large urban centres.

"We take pride in going to smaller centres and Whitehorse has an outstanding history of hosting successful events,鈥� he said.

One of the highlights of this championship is the fact that each off the 66 games that will be played will also be webcast live at sportscanada.tv.

"It gives us the opportunity to reach around the world and have families tune in,鈥� said George Arcand, executive director of Softball Yukon.

"I think it will be a great program and we're looking forward to a great championship.鈥�