PLANT CITY, FLORIDA (USA) -- The International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship will be held June 23-July 2, 2010 in Caracas, Venezuela. The official announcement follows ISF President Don Porter’s trip to the new host site last week.
In Caracas the ISF president met with representatives of the federal government, including Sports Minister Victoria Mata, along with Venezuela Softball Federation President Jesús Suniaga, finalizing details on a contract for next year’s event, which marks the 45th anniversary of the first ever softball world championship.
The sports minister expressed her pleasure at taking on the tournament and said that Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, who has two daughters that play softball, is personally supporting the event.
The world championship had originally been awarded to the USA, however a decision was made to relocate the event due to a date conflict with the Central American & Caribbean Games in Puerto Rico that would have prevented three teams that had qualified for the ISF event from having the opportunity to play against the other 13 nations in Oklahoma City. Mr. Porter said the ISF was talking to three other potential new hosts before finally agreeing with Venezuela.
The new organizing committee has already indicated that the world championship will receive national television coverage and that international distribution is already being worked on. The Venezuelan officials outlined plans to upgrade and renovate existing facilities including the site of the 1983 Pan American Games softball competition, which will have a new main stadium in time for the ISF tournament. Practice facilities will also be readily available for the teams too.
The ISF president said he is, “more than satisfied with these new arrangements” and expressed his “full confidence that Venezuela will be a great host for the softball world and our marquee event.”
Details on hotel accommodations and tickets will be released soon.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Taryne Mowatt … movie star?
First, Reese Witherspoon. Now, Taryne Mowatt. Perhaps Jennie Finch will be next.
Found this story at http://tucsoncitizen.com/.
Mowatt was recruited to be among the extras for a mega-Hollywood movie starring Jack Nicholson, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon, who plays a professional softball player and member of the USA Olympic team. The still-untitled comedy, written and directed by James L. Brooks, recently wrapped shooting, according to this video clip of Witherspoon from MTV.com.
When a casting call went out for softball players, a former coach of Mowatt’s from the National Pro Fastpitch league called the ex-Wildcat to see if she would be interested.
“I put together a little video and filled out a resume and they sent it over to the director,” Mowatt said.
“It took a couple of months to get it processed and for them to pick who they wanted, and the one day, they e-mailed me and said they wanted me to play a small part in the movie. I was like, ‘OK.’”
For sure, Mowatt is keeping busy.
She does clinics and other softball instruction. She is part of the PFX — a professional softball barnstorming tour. She and former UA teammate Sam Banister recently shot a untitled pilot for a TV show in which Mowatt is the host, meeting with athletes from other sports “and we kind of explain the similarities and differences between the training they do for their sport and the training we do for our sport,” she said.
Mowatt, who has two ESPY awards from her UA playing days, spent three days in Philadelphia last month for her scenes in the movie, which is set for release in December 2010, according to IMDB.com.
TucsonCitizen.com caught up with Mowatt to discuss her experience:
Q: What happened when you got to Philadelphia for the shooting?
Mowatt: “When we got there, (former UCLA coach Sue Enquist) took us all out to dinner. Coach Enquist was a big part of the movie. She had been working with Reese for months and months, teaching her how to play softball. Then, for two days we had rehearsals for seven or eight hours, just basically practicing, working on the scene setup, how we wanted it to look. The director hadn’t decided exactly what he wanted the scene to look like, so we came up with a couple of different options to present to him no the shooting day. After two days of rehearsals, we shot the scene.”
Q: So you spent all day on set?
Mowatt: “You have to get there really early, like 6 o’clock in the morning. I mean, they have every breakfast possibility you could think of.”
Q: How long do you think the scene will be in the movie?
Mowatt: “I think it’s like a 30-second scene that took, not including the days of rehearsals, about three to four hours. You have to keep doing it over and over, and from different angles and making sure everyone looks OK.”
Q: Did you love it or did it become tedious?
Mowatt: “I loved it. I know there were a lot of girls there who didn’t like all the waiting around, and I was like, ‘I love this. I could do this all day long.’”
Q: What did you love about it?
Mowatt: “I just loved seeing how everything worked behind the scenes. Keep in mind that it supposed to be set in Arizona. And it was cold there. I mean, it was freezing. I guess it had dropped down to 40 degrees. But we’re supposed to pretending that it is sunny and hot. Just the way they changed the field to make it look like it was in a different place; it was kind of cool to see that. I was looking at it, wondering, ‘How are they going to make this look like Arizona? There are trees and it’s green and it’s cloudy.’ It is going to be interesting to see how they changed what we filmed to make it look like it is set in a different place.”
Q: How do you describe the scene you were in?
Mowatt: “My scene is a very small scene. I just play a member of a team that is underneath the Olympic team. And what we’re doing is practicing little drills, and then Reese walks by practice and we all just kind of admire her.”
Q: Did you get to meet Reese?
Mowatt: “She came over to use and introduced herself. We talked for little bit before we shot the scene, and afterward we talked to her for a short time before she had to go shoot another scene.”
Q; What was she like?
“She was tiny. That was my first impression — ‘Wow, she is really small.’ Coach Enquist had said she is very small and petite, and I was thinking, ‘Yeah, obviously.’ But when you see her, she is even smaller than you think. I want to say 5-2 and just really skinny, almost like if you were to hug her, it would feel like she wasn’t there.”
(Witherspoon is scheduled to be on Friday’s Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, so she might reference the movie.)
Found this story at http://tucsoncitizen.com/.
Coming soon to a theater near you, Taryne Mowatt.
Well, you might actually have to wait a while, and you might have to look kind of hard when the time comes, but Mowatt — the photogenic pitching star of Arizona’s 2007 championship at the Women’s College World Series — will be coming to the big screen.Mowatt was recruited to be among the extras for a mega-Hollywood movie starring Jack Nicholson, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon, who plays a professional softball player and member of the USA Olympic team. The still-untitled comedy, written and directed by James L. Brooks, recently wrapped shooting, according to this video clip of Witherspoon from MTV.com.
When a casting call went out for softball players, a former coach of Mowatt’s from the National Pro Fastpitch league called the ex-Wildcat to see if she would be interested.
“I put together a little video and filled out a resume and they sent it over to the director,” Mowatt said.
“It took a couple of months to get it processed and for them to pick who they wanted, and the one day, they e-mailed me and said they wanted me to play a small part in the movie. I was like, ‘OK.’”
For sure, Mowatt is keeping busy.
She does clinics and other softball instruction. She is part of the PFX — a professional softball barnstorming tour. She and former UA teammate Sam Banister recently shot a untitled pilot for a TV show in which Mowatt is the host, meeting with athletes from other sports “and we kind of explain the similarities and differences between the training they do for their sport and the training we do for our sport,” she said.
Mowatt, who has two ESPY awards from her UA playing days, spent three days in Philadelphia last month for her scenes in the movie, which is set for release in December 2010, according to IMDB.com.
TucsonCitizen.com caught up with Mowatt to discuss her experience:
Q: What happened when you got to Philadelphia for the shooting?
Mowatt: “When we got there, (former UCLA coach Sue Enquist) took us all out to dinner. Coach Enquist was a big part of the movie. She had been working with Reese for months and months, teaching her how to play softball. Then, for two days we had rehearsals for seven or eight hours, just basically practicing, working on the scene setup, how we wanted it to look. The director hadn’t decided exactly what he wanted the scene to look like, so we came up with a couple of different options to present to him no the shooting day. After two days of rehearsals, we shot the scene.”
Q: So you spent all day on set?
Mowatt: “You have to get there really early, like 6 o’clock in the morning. I mean, they have every breakfast possibility you could think of.”
Q: How long do you think the scene will be in the movie?
Mowatt: “I think it’s like a 30-second scene that took, not including the days of rehearsals, about three to four hours. You have to keep doing it over and over, and from different angles and making sure everyone looks OK.”
Q: Did you love it or did it become tedious?
Mowatt: “I loved it. I know there were a lot of girls there who didn’t like all the waiting around, and I was like, ‘I love this. I could do this all day long.’”
Q: What did you love about it?
Mowatt: “I just loved seeing how everything worked behind the scenes. Keep in mind that it supposed to be set in Arizona. And it was cold there. I mean, it was freezing. I guess it had dropped down to 40 degrees. But we’re supposed to pretending that it is sunny and hot. Just the way they changed the field to make it look like it was in a different place; it was kind of cool to see that. I was looking at it, wondering, ‘How are they going to make this look like Arizona? There are trees and it’s green and it’s cloudy.’ It is going to be interesting to see how they changed what we filmed to make it look like it is set in a different place.”
Q: How do you describe the scene you were in?
Mowatt: “My scene is a very small scene. I just play a member of a team that is underneath the Olympic team. And what we’re doing is practicing little drills, and then Reese walks by practice and we all just kind of admire her.”
Q: Did you get to meet Reese?
Mowatt: “She came over to use and introduced herself. We talked for little bit before we shot the scene, and afterward we talked to her for a short time before she had to go shoot another scene.”
Q; What was she like?
“She was tiny. That was my first impression — ‘Wow, she is really small.’ Coach Enquist had said she is very small and petite, and I was thinking, ‘Yeah, obviously.’ But when you see her, she is even smaller than you think. I want to say 5-2 and just really skinny, almost like if you were to hug her, it would feel like she wasn’t there.”
(Witherspoon is scheduled to be on Friday’s Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, so she might reference the movie.)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Softball Federation to celebrate Softball Week
In America it's Thanksgiving, in Belize it's Softball Week. Found this story from The El Guardian.
The Belize Softball Federation released the programme of activities for Softball Week, which is scheduled for November 22-29, 2009. The week will feature a variety of activities that will also include fundraisers for the national softball teams of Belize.
The week will commence on Sunday November 22, with a radio message by the National President. On Monday November 23 to Friday November 27, 2009, from 9:00 – 11:30 am and from 1:00 – 3:30 pm will be “Open House” at the Softball Secretariat. The “Open House” will feature displays of trophies, medals, photographs, uniforms, equipment as well as the opportunity for students to meet and interact with softball personalities from the past as well as today.
On Saturday November 28, commencing from 9:00 am will be the Open Male Invitational Tournament at Rogers Stadium. The deadline for teams to register to participate in the tournament is set for Friday November 20, 2009, at 6:00 pm. Interested teams can contact their respective association presidents or Mr. Jude Lizama 1st Vice President of the Belize Softball Federation at St. Catherine Academy.
The male teams that will participate in the Open Invitational Tournament will compete for the Hon. Mark Espat Trophy. Espat is one of the former national male team players and played for the better part of ten seasons with the now defunct formidable Alico Team in the 90’s.
On Sunday November 29, the week will climax with veteran games at Rogers Stadium commencing at 10:00 am with the male game, which will feature players like, Dennis Burke, Sonny Meighan, Marion Usher, Carlos Fuller, ‘Butty’ Savery, Eric Neal, Jude Lizama, Patrick Henry, Greg Moguel, and Raymond Garbutt while the female veteran game will feature the likes of Linda Reyes, Bunny Rhamdas, Pat Bennett, Brenda Johnson, Phillipa Wade, Eleanor Smith, Eleanor Young, Audrey Lamb, Melva Franklin Willacey, Delsie Lizama and Helen Stuart.
All games scheduled for Sunday will be commemorated as part of the Women in Sports Celebrations that had to be postponed in May because of the H1N1 scare.
Immediately following the veteran games, the National Women’s Team will square off with a Cayo District selection.
The Federation will also bestow Honorary Life Membership on some outstanding softball personalities.
The Belize Softball Federation released the programme of activities for Softball Week, which is scheduled for November 22-29, 2009. The week will feature a variety of activities that will also include fundraisers for the national softball teams of Belize.
The week will commence on Sunday November 22, with a radio message by the National President. On Monday November 23 to Friday November 27, 2009, from 9:00 – 11:30 am and from 1:00 – 3:30 pm will be “Open House” at the Softball Secretariat. The “Open House” will feature displays of trophies, medals, photographs, uniforms, equipment as well as the opportunity for students to meet and interact with softball personalities from the past as well as today.
On Saturday November 28, commencing from 9:00 am will be the Open Male Invitational Tournament at Rogers Stadium. The deadline for teams to register to participate in the tournament is set for Friday November 20, 2009, at 6:00 pm. Interested teams can contact their respective association presidents or Mr. Jude Lizama 1st Vice President of the Belize Softball Federation at St. Catherine Academy.
The male teams that will participate in the Open Invitational Tournament will compete for the Hon. Mark Espat Trophy. Espat is one of the former national male team players and played for the better part of ten seasons with the now defunct formidable Alico Team in the 90’s.
On Sunday November 29, the week will climax with veteran games at Rogers Stadium commencing at 10:00 am with the male game, which will feature players like, Dennis Burke, Sonny Meighan, Marion Usher, Carlos Fuller, ‘Butty’ Savery, Eric Neal, Jude Lizama, Patrick Henry, Greg Moguel, and Raymond Garbutt while the female veteran game will feature the likes of Linda Reyes, Bunny Rhamdas, Pat Bennett, Brenda Johnson, Phillipa Wade, Eleanor Smith, Eleanor Young, Audrey Lamb, Melva Franklin Willacey, Delsie Lizama and Helen Stuart.
All games scheduled for Sunday will be commemorated as part of the Women in Sports Celebrations that had to be postponed in May because of the H1N1 scare.
Immediately following the veteran games, the National Women’s Team will square off with a Cayo District selection.
The Federation will also bestow Honorary Life Membership on some outstanding softball personalities.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Arena Softball
Found this story at Postbulletin.com.
Everyone contributes in Arena Softball
Steve Gage has been playing softball for 12 years, averaging about three times a week.
He's an enthusiast. "Obviously, playing softball is something I really enjoy," he said.
Now, he's expanding his schedule. He may even play 12 months a year.
Yeh, right, in Rochester? In January? This is Minnesota, right?
No, Gage is devoted to Rochester's newest sport -- Arena Softball, which is being played at the new Soccer World location on 19th Street NW.
Softball played inside?
"It really doesn't matter if you've played much softball in the past or not," Gage said. "This is softball at its roots, but the fastest moving baseball or softball that I have ever played. It's a completely different game than the one we play outside."
This softball is played on a regulation diamond, but with a tight, spring-loaded net enlosing the entire field. Instead of walls and roofs, you're enclosed inside a giant net.
There are no foul balls; all hit balls are live, no matter what direction. Careening balls are played off the net.
There are no longer three outs to an inning; all batting innings consist of 16 batters. There is a pitcher and a catcher along with the seven other positions.
Teams can score runs on defense, too. The fielding side is awarded a 1/2 run for every out they create. Each run scored, of course, counts as one.
The game is timed. The game is considered over after 60 minutes.
"This is a game for those that won't play softball outdoors because they're afraid they can't hit," Gage said. "If you're able to run, that's all you have to do. And you really don't have to be that fast."
Soccer World offers a six-team league, which started play last week. Gage organized the "Scared Hitless" team, which now has a sponsor, Jag Tours.
"I never dreamed I would ever play softball inside," said Gage, who works for Accenture, a consulting firm based in Chicago. "At first, I had a hard time getting guys interested, but once they came out, they were hooked.
"In the winter, I used to play broomball in order to keep active, but I got tired of all the bumps and bruises. Playing indoors, it keeps me playing softball until I can get back outside in the spring."
Kevin Lowery owns two Soccer World locations and said he was looking to add a sport to supplement the winter schedule.
"I knew they played indoor softball in California, but that's about all," he said.
"I figured Rochester would be a natural because it is such a big softball city, but I put out the word and nothing happend. No response, even though I offered any team to play for free.
"Finally, one guy came in who was interested. I think he saw something on Facebook. Then he watched a video on Youtube and he got excited, and the word started to spread. It's the fastest sport we have."
Aluminum bats are used but the softballs are slightly "softer" than those used in the summer.
The current season runs through mid-December, and in January, Lowery hopes to expand play, hopefully adding co-ed teams.
Games can get high scoring -- a 65-47 score was turned in last week.
"As long as you touch the bat with the ball, you're good to go," Gage said.
Home runs? The only way to get an "automatic" home run is by hitting one of the two banners situated in the outfield. The dimensions at Soccer World are 130 feet to left field, about 100 to right and 150 to 150 in center.
"I'm a pretty big guy," said Gage, "and hit a few home runs in the summer but here, indoors, home runs can be hit by anyone.
"Everybody contributes."
Everyone contributes in Arena Softball
Steve Gage has been playing softball for 12 years, averaging about three times a week.
He's an enthusiast. "Obviously, playing softball is something I really enjoy," he said.
Now, he's expanding his schedule. He may even play 12 months a year.
Yeh, right, in Rochester? In January? This is Minnesota, right?
No, Gage is devoted to Rochester's newest sport -- Arena Softball, which is being played at the new Soccer World location on 19th Street NW.
Softball played inside?
"It really doesn't matter if you've played much softball in the past or not," Gage said. "This is softball at its roots, but the fastest moving baseball or softball that I have ever played. It's a completely different game than the one we play outside."
This softball is played on a regulation diamond, but with a tight, spring-loaded net enlosing the entire field. Instead of walls and roofs, you're enclosed inside a giant net.
There are no foul balls; all hit balls are live, no matter what direction. Careening balls are played off the net.
There are no longer three outs to an inning; all batting innings consist of 16 batters. There is a pitcher and a catcher along with the seven other positions.
Teams can score runs on defense, too. The fielding side is awarded a 1/2 run for every out they create. Each run scored, of course, counts as one.
The game is timed. The game is considered over after 60 minutes.
"This is a game for those that won't play softball outdoors because they're afraid they can't hit," Gage said. "If you're able to run, that's all you have to do. And you really don't have to be that fast."
Soccer World offers a six-team league, which started play last week. Gage organized the "Scared Hitless" team, which now has a sponsor, Jag Tours.
"I never dreamed I would ever play softball inside," said Gage, who works for Accenture, a consulting firm based in Chicago. "At first, I had a hard time getting guys interested, but once they came out, they were hooked.
"In the winter, I used to play broomball in order to keep active, but I got tired of all the bumps and bruises. Playing indoors, it keeps me playing softball until I can get back outside in the spring."
Kevin Lowery owns two Soccer World locations and said he was looking to add a sport to supplement the winter schedule.
"I knew they played indoor softball in California, but that's about all," he said.
"I figured Rochester would be a natural because it is such a big softball city, but I put out the word and nothing happend. No response, even though I offered any team to play for free.
"Finally, one guy came in who was interested. I think he saw something on Facebook. Then he watched a video on Youtube and he got excited, and the word started to spread. It's the fastest sport we have."
Aluminum bats are used but the softballs are slightly "softer" than those used in the summer.
The current season runs through mid-December, and in January, Lowery hopes to expand play, hopefully adding co-ed teams.
Games can get high scoring -- a 65-47 score was turned in last week.
"As long as you touch the bat with the ball, you're good to go," Gage said.
Home runs? The only way to get an "automatic" home run is by hitting one of the two banners situated in the outfield. The dimensions at Soccer World are 130 feet to left field, about 100 to right and 150 to 150 in center.
"I'm a pretty big guy," said Gage, "and hit a few home runs in the summer but here, indoors, home runs can be hit by anyone.
"Everybody contributes."
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tulsa Elite dominates showcase
This story was initially published on October 23, 2009 6:18 PM at ESPN RISE.
Elite Diamond Sports College Showcase-Plano , TX
Tulsa Elite Gold Results
Tulsa Elite 3, C C Panthers 0 (Two-hit shutout)
Madison Thompson (2011) pitched the first three shutout innings for Elite allowing only one hit while striking out five; then Julana Shrum (2012) closed the final inning allowing one hit and striking out three. Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-two and stole one base, Taylor Woodall (OSU) was two-for-two with a homerun and a double, Cheyanne Stone (2012) was two-for-two with an RBI double.
Tulsa Elite 5, Houston Power 0 (One-hit shutout)
Madison Thompson (2011) pitched the first two shutout innings for Elite allowing only one hit while striking out two; then Julana Shrum (2012) closed the final inning allowing no hits and striking out two. Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-three scored two runs and stole three bases, Callie Parsons (OU) was two-for-three with a stolen base, Cheyanne Stone (2012) was two-for-two and scored a run, Jenna Reed (2012) was two-for-two and scored a run.
Tulsa Elite 0, Texas Eclipse 0
This was a pitching duel that attracted a lot of coaches as Elite's uncommitted Madison Thompson (2011) and Eclipse's Morgan Hawkins (OSU) were very impressive. Hawkins pitched the first 4 1/3 innings allowing only two hits while striking out 11; Thompson tried to match her pace pitching the first five shutout innings for Elite allowing only one hit while striking out seven.
Tulsa Elite 3, Texas Heat 1 (Two-hitter)
Julana Shrum (2012) pitched the first three innings for Elite allowing only two hits while striking out three and giving up one unearned run; then Madison Thompson (2011) closed the final two innings allowing no hits and striking out two. Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-three scored one run and stole two bases.
Tulsa Elite 3, Texas Sting 0 (Combined No-Hitter Shrum and Thompson)
Julana Shrum (2012) pitched the first two no-hit innings for Elite allowing no hits while striking out three; then Madison Thompson (2011) closed the final three no-hit innings allowing no hits and striking out two. Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-three scored one run and stole two bases.
Elite Diamond Sports College Showcase-Plano , TX
Tulsa Elite Gold Results
Tulsa Elite 3, C C Panthers 0 (Two-hit shutout)
Madison Thompson (2011) pitched the first three shutout innings for Elite allowing only one hit while striking out five; then Julana Shrum (2012) closed the final inning allowing one hit and striking out three. Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-two and stole one base, Taylor Woodall (OSU) was two-for-two with a homerun and a double, Cheyanne Stone (2012) was two-for-two with an RBI double.
Tulsa Elite 5, Houston Power 0 (One-hit shutout)
Madison Thompson (2011) pitched the first two shutout innings for Elite allowing only one hit while striking out two; then Julana Shrum (2012) closed the final inning allowing no hits and striking out two. Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-three scored two runs and stole three bases, Callie Parsons (OU) was two-for-three with a stolen base, Cheyanne Stone (2012) was two-for-two and scored a run, Jenna Reed (2012) was two-for-two and scored a run.
Tulsa Elite 0, Texas Eclipse 0
This was a pitching duel that attracted a lot of coaches as Elite's uncommitted Madison Thompson (2011) and Eclipse's Morgan Hawkins (OSU) were very impressive. Hawkins pitched the first 4 1/3 innings allowing only two hits while striking out 11; Thompson tried to match her pace pitching the first five shutout innings for Elite allowing only one hit while striking out seven.
Tulsa Elite 3, Texas Heat 1 (Two-hitter)
Julana Shrum (2012) pitched the first three innings for Elite allowing only two hits while striking out three and giving up one unearned run; then Madison Thompson (2011) closed the final two innings allowing no hits and striking out two. Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-three scored one run and stole two bases.
Tulsa Elite 3, Texas Sting 0 (Combined No-Hitter Shrum and Thompson)
Julana Shrum (2012) pitched the first two no-hit innings for Elite allowing no hits while striking out three; then Madison Thompson (2011) closed the final three no-hit innings allowing no hits and striking out two. Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-three scored one run and stole two bases.
Former OU softball player Mariee Mena dies after accident
By Justin Harper, Staff Writer
Published: October 7, 2009
NORMAN — Mariee Mena, who helped Oklahoma earn two Women’s College World Series berths, died Tuesday as a result of injuries she suffered in a motorcycle accident Friday evening.
Mena was a 2004 second-team All-Big 12 outfielder and a member of OU’s 2007 Big 12 championship squad. She suffered severe head injuries in Friday’s accident, which occurred in Norman, and was on life-support until Tuesday. The 26-year old, who was from Escondido, Calif., was an organ and tissue donor.
A fund to assist in funeral and medical expenses has been established for Mena. Donations can be mailed to University of Oklahoma Athletics Development at 180 West Brooks, Suite 3575, Norman, OK 73019. Please make checks payable to the OU Foundation and reference Mariee Mena. For more information, please call the Sooner Club at (405) 325-8000.
The full story can be read at NewsOK.
Published: October 7, 2009
NORMAN — Mariee Mena, who helped Oklahoma earn two Women’s College World Series berths, died Tuesday as a result of injuries she suffered in a motorcycle accident Friday evening.
Mena was a 2004 second-team All-Big 12 outfielder and a member of OU’s 2007 Big 12 championship squad. She suffered severe head injuries in Friday’s accident, which occurred in Norman, and was on life-support until Tuesday. The 26-year old, who was from Escondido, Calif., was an organ and tissue donor.
A fund to assist in funeral and medical expenses has been established for Mena. Donations can be mailed to University of Oklahoma Athletics Development at 180 West Brooks, Suite 3575, Norman, OK 73019. Please make checks payable to the OU Foundation and reference Mariee Mena. For more information, please call the Sooner Club at (405) 325-8000.
The full story can be read at NewsOK.
USSSA Purchases National Pro Fastpitch Team
This story was found at http://www.oursportscentral.com/.
Another development from the NPF. Perhaps ASA could purchase an NPF team and host them at it's headquarters in Oklahoma City.
NASHVILLE - The National Pro Fastpitch League announced today that the world's largest amateur sports association has finalized their purchase of an NPF franchise. The USSSA Florida Pride will be at home at the association headquarters in Kissimmee, Fla.
During the 2009 NPF Season, the USSSA managed the team entity known as the Pride, but yesterday finalized their commitment to the women's professional fastpitch softball by inking the deal. USSSA became involved shortly before the NPF season last year and saw their Pride Team go all the way to the finals of the Championship Series, finishing second to the Rockford Thunder.
"The involvement on the ownership level of the USSSA is a game-changer for women's professional fastpitch softball," commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. "For an organization of this size and influence to join the National Pro Fastpitch team is a great day for the future of this game at the professional level."
The USSSA Pride had a star studded line-up last season that included former Olympians Kelly Kretschman, Caitlin Lowe and Monica Abbott. Kretschman and Abbott both cut their teeth on highly competitive SEC softball, while Lowe was twice an NCAA National Champion at the University of Arizona.
"The USSSA has taken a very important step in the transition from being involved with the NPF and the USSSA Pride as a managing partner to actually owning and operating the team. We were very fortunate to have had the opportunity of managing and running the franchise prior to making the decision to permanently acquire it," stated Don DeDonatis, Chairman/CEO of the USSSA. "Clearly, I was very impressed with the league and the foundation on which it is built, along with the talented group of players that are playing in the NPF as a whole. Top to bottom it is showcases the best talent in the world," continued DeDonatis. "The NPF & USSSA are both striving to expand and grow the interest in fastpitch softball. We are very excited and are looking forward to the 2010 season."
The 2010 NPF Season runs from June 3rd through August 29th. The Season will culminate in the 2010 with its hallmark Championship Series event hosted in Sulphur, La August 26th-29th.
USSSA is headquartered in Kissimmee, Fla. Offering over 13 primary sports programs, including baseball, slow pitch and fastpitch softball and basketball, USSSA has over 3.7 million participants nationwide.
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. The League, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL).
Teammates lost under the stars
Tragic story of a the Dickinson State softball players from ESPN by Elizabeth Merrill.
This story is more in depth and personal than a simple news story. A fitting tribute to the three young women whose lives were cut short.
This story is more in depth and personal than a simple news story. A fitting tribute to the three young women whose lives were cut short.
Southern Division for NPF Coming Soon?
This post was found on http://www.fastpitch.us/. Seems like a good follow up post to the news that the Rockford Thunder are moving to Atlanta. A Southern Division of the NPF makes a lot of sense and would expand the sport in areas where it is very popular.
When The National Pro Fastpitch League first started up a few years back, I was caught off guard by the locations of their teams. Texas had a team which was exactly what I expected. I had hoped it would be in the Dallas/Ft Worth area.
The surprise was the rest of the league being located up North. I guess really more in the Northeast. I know softball is popular in the Northeast, but I do not think of that area as a hot bed for softball. When I think of softball I think of California, Florida, Oklahoma, and of course Texas. I think of the southern part of the country. That is the part of the country that has really been left out of The National Pro Fastpitch League.
I think that may be getting ready to change. As you know The National Pro Fastpitch League announced a partnership with the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) that brought the Glory to central Florida last year. Now the word is out that a group out of Georgia is trying to bring a a National Pro Fastpitch Team to that state. Then if you add the fact that The National Pro Fastpitch League announced their Championships would be held in Louisiana next year, and what do you have?
I say you have the start of a southern division. I called Cheri Kempf, The President/Commissioner of The National Pro Fastpitch League, she would not confirm my thoughts, but did agree that the South would be a good place for teams to play. That the fans had a good knowledge of fastpitch softball.
I don’t have any insider information. I am just adding it up, and 2 plus 2 equals a southern division to me.
When The National Pro Fastpitch League first started up a few years back, I was caught off guard by the locations of their teams. Texas had a team which was exactly what I expected. I had hoped it would be in the Dallas/Ft Worth area.
The surprise was the rest of the league being located up North. I guess really more in the Northeast. I know softball is popular in the Northeast, but I do not think of that area as a hot bed for softball. When I think of softball I think of California, Florida, Oklahoma, and of course Texas. I think of the southern part of the country. That is the part of the country that has really been left out of The National Pro Fastpitch League.
I think that may be getting ready to change. As you know The National Pro Fastpitch League announced a partnership with the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) that brought the Glory to central Florida last year. Now the word is out that a group out of Georgia is trying to bring a a National Pro Fastpitch Team to that state. Then if you add the fact that The National Pro Fastpitch League announced their Championships would be held in Louisiana next year, and what do you have?
I say you have the start of a southern division. I called Cheri Kempf, The President/Commissioner of The National Pro Fastpitch League, she would not confirm my thoughts, but did agree that the South would be a good place for teams to play. That the fans had a good knowledge of fastpitch softball.
I don’t have any insider information. I am just adding it up, and 2 plus 2 equals a southern division to me.
Atlanta To Get Pro Softball Team
A group of investors has signed a letter of intent with the National Pro Fastpitch softball league to bring the Rockford Thunder – a six-year-old franchise from Rockford, Ill. – to the area, Atlanta attorney Preston Delashmit said.
Delashmit and his family would be the majority owners, he said. He declined to disclose financial terms of the deal.
The deal is pending league approval, Delashmit said.
The Rockford franchise won the 2009 league championship. The current owner, an Illinois attorney, said in August he had three children entering college and “we just have too much on our plate to continue to operate the Thunder at the level it deserves.”
Delashmit said he would buy the assets from the attorney but also has to acquire the franchise rights from the league.
He would like to keep the “Thunder” name but must confirm that it’s not already being used.
“It would have been simpler if we had bought the team and it had stayed in Rockford, but the whole idea is to relocate to Atlanta,” he said. “We’d like to keep the team intact as much as possible.”
Delashmit said he hopes the team will play at Kennesaw State University, which recently bought 88 acres for intramural and club sports fields as well as an 8,300-seat stadium.
The Fastpitch pro softball league was formed 18 years ago in Boulder, Colo and is now based in Tennessee. Besides Rockford, there are teams in Akron, Ohio; Chicago; Kissimmee, Fla.; and Allentown, Pa.
The Rockford franchise started in Houston as the Texas Thunder. It was moved to Northern Illinois three years later.
Delashmit’s daughter has been playing softball since age 5 and is a freshman outfielder at Georgia Tech. He said his plans were to bring a team to Atlanta in two or three years but when the Rockford team was for sale, he decided to take advantage. He met with the coaches at Georgia Tech – assistant coach Aileen Morales played for the Chicago Bandits for two years – and “started talking about how we could pull this together.”
The season starts again in June. For Delashmit, a project that was going to take maybe two years now has to come together in about 30 days, he said.
“We’re hoping to be able to pull this off and keep more of our southern athletes here and close to home,” he said. “A lot of these players, who are now elsewhere, played in the SEC and the ACC.”
Source The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This story can be found at www.fastpitch.us.
This is a great move for the NPF. It moves the franchise to a much larger market, while also moving the team farther south. Hopefully, the NPF can continue to expand and perhaps OKC can step up to be a future NPF franchise.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
"Quit is a four letter word"
Great story from ESPN RISE.
The easy route is to give up, but Parkway Central High School out of Chesterfield, Mo. never says die.
The count was 3-2 and Alyssa Waitz started the rally reaching first on a walk. From there, it escalated quickly. Ali Gorman followed with a hit and Tia Pennington drew a walk to load up the bases with no outs. Cassie Rupel, the team's pitcher, helped herself by knocking in the first run, closing the gap to 4-2. Lori Jones and Emily Greenstein followed with walks with the bases loaded to score two more for the Colts.
With the score tied 4-4, the Fort Zumwalt South pitcher, Lexy Moore, threw a wild pitch and Rupel scored from third to win the game for the Colts.
In the beginning of the inning, the Bulldog fans had been chanting "State! State! State!” as this was the last inning of the game that would lead them to playoffs. Their fans were silent and the Colts took over the cheering.
The easy route is to give up, but Parkway Central High School out of Chesterfield, Mo. never says die.
The count was 3-2 and Alyssa Waitz started the rally reaching first on a walk. From there, it escalated quickly. Ali Gorman followed with a hit and Tia Pennington drew a walk to load up the bases with no outs. Cassie Rupel, the team's pitcher, helped herself by knocking in the first run, closing the gap to 4-2. Lori Jones and Emily Greenstein followed with walks with the bases loaded to score two more for the Colts.
With the score tied 4-4, the Fort Zumwalt South pitcher, Lexy Moore, threw a wild pitch and Rupel scored from third to win the game for the Colts.
In the beginning of the inning, the Bulldog fans had been chanting "State! State! State!” as this was the last inning of the game that would lead them to playoffs. Their fans were silent and the Colts took over the cheering.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
ESPN RISE Softball Story about a Ninnekah HS Senior
Shaylah Goodson is this week's player to watch. This class of 2010 star plays at Ninnekah High School in Okla.
Her junior year she batted an impressive .337 with an on-base percentage of .463. In 86 at bats she recorded 40 runs scored and 25 RBIs.
Her high school pitcher quit that season and gave her a chance to pitch, although she was not used to this position. Even with her inexperience, she was able to record an ERA of 2.45 with a record of 10-5.
Her freshman year she was named her team's Defensive Player of the Year and her sophomore year she was the team's MVP. She was unable to receive awards this past season because she has transferred schools (from Verden HS to Ninnekah).
Maybe more impressive, is that Goodson is an all-around athlete. She was her team's basketball MVP last season and was All-Conference since her freshman year.
Keep an eye on Goodson as she continues to tear up the fields this travel ball season!
This story can be found at ESPN RISE.
Her junior year she batted an impressive .337 with an on-base percentage of .463. In 86 at bats she recorded 40 runs scored and 25 RBIs.
Her high school pitcher quit that season and gave her a chance to pitch, although she was not used to this position. Even with her inexperience, she was able to record an ERA of 2.45 with a record of 10-5.
Her freshman year she was named her team's Defensive Player of the Year and her sophomore year she was the team's MVP. She was unable to receive awards this past season because she has transferred schools (from Verden HS to Ninnekah).
Maybe more impressive, is that Goodson is an all-around athlete. She was her team's basketball MVP last season and was All-Conference since her freshman year.
Keep an eye on Goodson as she continues to tear up the fields this travel ball season!
This story can be found at ESPN RISE.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Florida Softball Unveils 2010 Schedule
University of Florida head softball coach Tim Walton announced the 2010 schedule on Tuesday afternoon. The Gators will face two teams who also competed in the 2009 Women’s College World Series, both SEC teams, including Alabama, who the Gators defeated in the SEC Tournament Championship and WCWS. The schedule also features three early-season tournaments, including one hosted by the Gators and one in California, where the seven players will have a chance to play in their home state.
Florida comes off one of the best seasons in the program’s history, as the Gators amassed a 63-5 record and made their second trip to the WCWS and their first to the championship series. The 2009 Southeastern Conference regular-season and tournament champions return 11 starters, including four All-Americans. They will be facing 13 teams that played in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
You can read the rest of the above story at http://www.wctv.tv/
Friday, November 6, 2009
Reese Witherspoon is A Softball Superstar
Reese Witherspoon shows off her softball skills on the set of her new film, How Do You Know? in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday (November 3).
On set, Reese sported a USA jersey and posed stealing a base.
Read more: Just JaredThis movie is currently in production. It features Reese Witherspoon as a softball player in a romantic tug-of-war with an office worker (Paul Rudd) and a baseball player (Owen Wilson). The movie is projected to come out at the end of 2010. It will be interesting to see a movie come out with a main character as a softball player. Hopefully "How Do You Know?" crushes "Legally Blonde 2" like a Crystal Bustos homer.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
2010 Softball World Championship in OKC are OUT.
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The International Softball Federation is seeking a new site for the world championships next year.
The group's president, Don Porter, announced Tuesday that the championships scheduled for next July in Oklahoma City would be moved to a different date and country because of a conflict with an international tournament held in Puerto Rico.
Amateur Softball Association executive director Ron Radigonda says Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City doesn't have other open dates to host the tournament. The site also hosts the Women's College World Series and other tournaments throughout the year.
Jakarta, Indonesia, was the only other site to submit a bid for the world championships, which were awarded to Oklahoma City in October.
The above story can be found on ESPN.
This is a disappointing development for softball fans in Oklahoma City. However, we can still look forward to the WCWS and the Big XII Championship, plus any OU Sooner NCAA Regional. Hopefully, Oklahoma City will have the opportunity to host the next World Championship.
The group's president, Don Porter, announced Tuesday that the championships scheduled for next July in Oklahoma City would be moved to a different date and country because of a conflict with an international tournament held in Puerto Rico.
Amateur Softball Association executive director Ron Radigonda says Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City doesn't have other open dates to host the tournament. The site also hosts the Women's College World Series and other tournaments throughout the year.
Jakarta, Indonesia, was the only other site to submit a bid for the world championships, which were awarded to Oklahoma City in October.
The above story can be found on ESPN.
This is a disappointing development for softball fans in Oklahoma City. However, we can still look forward to the WCWS and the Big XII Championship, plus any OU Sooner NCAA Regional. Hopefully, Oklahoma City will have the opportunity to host the next World Championship.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
USA Softball Players in ESPN Magazine Body Issue
ESPN The Magazine’s inaugural ‘Body Issue,’ which honors athletes of various shapes, sizes, genders, races and — it would appear– stages of pregnancy! USA Softball star Jessica Mendoza, a gold medalist in the 2004 Olympic Games, posed alongside her teammates this summer while 8 ½-months pregnant with her first child.
“The bodies in this issue vary from super buff, to lean, to stocky … all exemplifying beauty in their own way,” the 28-year-old outfielder notes. “I was proud to be in this issue at a unique time of my life.” Jessica adds,
“I felt that by showing athletes in every shape and form, including those of us who have children and continue to play, ESPN The Magazine is trying to break those stereotypes.”
Her athletic background almost certainly came in handy just a few weeks later, when she delivered son Caleb Ashton Mendoza-Burks — after 41 hours of labor! Baby boy arrived at 6:51 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12, weighing in at 6 lbs., 8 oz. and measuring 21 inches in length. He is the first child for Jessica and her husband, Adam Burks.
The above article can be found at http://www.fastpitch.us/
A lot of great stories from all over the sports landscape can be found in the Body Issue from ESPN Magazine.
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