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USA Win in Opening Game
June 18, 2007
USA Registers 9-2 Win in Opening Game of ISF World Cup
PRAGUE -- The USA Men’s National Team registered a 9-2 run rule win over DeMo EHS of the Netherlands today in its opening game in the ISF World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. The U.S. out-hit their opponents 11-4 while taking advantage of three DeMo EHS errors to start off play 1-0.
The game was called at the end of six innings (seven after five) because of the ISF run rule after the USA had scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning against DeMo relief hurler Jared Welsh. Welsh entered in the fourth after the USA hit DeMo starter Doug Gillis to take a 6-2 advantage. Welsh allowed three runs and three hits in three innings.
The 42-year-old Gillis, a former member of the USA Men’s National Team, hurled the first three innings, allowing six runs on eight hits. One of the hits was a 280-foot two-run homer in the third inning by USA catcher Frank DeGroat (Ringwood, N.J.) over the left field fence,
“We had a good effort today,” USA Head Coach Peter Turner (Stockton, Calif.) said. “Travis (Price) gave us a solid performance and we’ve got the kind of team that creates a lot of havoc against the opposition with our speed and hitting ability.”
Price, one of the veterans on the team, went six innings and fanned eight, allowing a pair of runs on four hits. The two runs came in the top of the second when DeMo EHS took an early 2-1 record on an RBI double to the fence by Jeffery Visser and a throwing error by Price.
The USA seized the lead for good with three runs in the second inning before DeGroat increased the margin with the USA’s first home of the World Cup.
Leading the USA offense was Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.) who scored a pair of runs and went three-for-three including a triple in the fifth inning. Mo Kandouse (Patterson, N.J.) also had an RBI triple in the sixth inning and scored on a passed ball to conclude the scoring for the USA, which has a pair of games on Tuesday. Chris Miljavac (St. Joseph, Mo.,) also had a pair of singles for the USA for an RBI and a run scored.
Team USA plays tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. (5:30 am CST) against the Denmark National Team (1-0) and at 8:00 p.m. (2:00 pm CST) against the Japanese National Team.
For further information contact Bill Plummer, USA Softball at 202 352 2649.
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World Championship Headquarters
June 15, 2007
Junior Women's World Championships HeadquartersOKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The VIII ISFJuniorWomen's World Championship(19-and-under) gets underway June 20 in Enschede, Netherlands and the USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team hopes their playing on June 30 in the gold medal game. The team cinched a spot at the Worlds after turning in a 10-0 record at the Pan American Qualifier last year in Puerto Rico.Leading them team into its eighth consecutive World Championship appearance is head coach Jay Miller who will be assisted by coaches Suzy Brazney, Barb Jordan and Cheri Kempf. A team comprised of the top high school and collegiate underclassmen in the country; the 2007 USA Junior National Team has a combination of fierce hitting and explosive power. Offensively leading the team is Maggie Viefhaus (Pacific, Mo.) who just finished her freshman year at the University of Michigan. Viefhaus hit .750 (12-for-16) at the Pan Am Qualifier scoring 10 runs and collecting 11 RBI. She also had a team-high five doubles and one homerun. From the circle, the 2007 Gatorade National Player of the Year, Ashley Brignac (River Ridge, La.) will be one of five pitchers the USA will rely on to bring home their first World Championship gold medal since 1995. In 14 innings of work at the 2006 Pan Am Qualifier, Brignac posted a 4-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and 36 strikeouts.
Sixteenteams fromaround theworldhave earned a spot in the World Championships, including: Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, NewZealand, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, USA, and Venezuela.Four of these teams are making their Junior Women's World Championship debut (Botswana, Germany, Puerto Rico, and South Africa).
Starting on June 20 with the Netherlands facing Germany, the tournament will include a total of 66 games in 10 days. Japan, the two-time defending ISF Junior Women’s World Champion, will look to make it a three-peat this year.At the last Junior Women's World Championship in 2003, the defending champs held off the United States to secure a 3-2 victory.The same two teams had met for the titleat theprevious edition of theeventas well in 1999.
Followinga 7-0 loss to the United States, the Australians picked up the bronzemedal at the 2003 ISF Junior Women's World Championship, which is played every four years.
During the championship, “Live” videocoverage(with English audio commentary)of key games and eventswill beprovided on the officialevent website (http://www.wksoftbaljunioren2007.nl/).The broadcastswill include video of the opening ceremonies and opening game (Netherlands vs. Germany) on June 20, as well as the bronze medal game, the title game, and the closing ceremonies on June 30.Daily highlights of games, interviews, and other items of interest at the tournament will also be posted on the website.
The tournament will conclude with playoffs taking place on Thursday, June 28, and Friday, June 29, followed by the gold medal game on Saturday, June 30.
The ISF is the world governing body of the sport as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). Softball (women's fast pitch) made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. There are 128 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide.
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KFC Bat Girl Contest
June 14, 2007
KFC Bat Girl Contest
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. , (June 13 , 2007) – The Amateur Softball Association and KFC, the title sponsor of the World Cup of Softball, are offering one lucky fan the chance to be bat girl for Team USA. The winner will take the field with the team during their game in Oklahoma City on Friday, July 13 against the powerhouse squad from China.To enter, fans can visit http://www.kfc.com/ and create a personal World Cup softball card by June 24. The e-cards can be personalized using different player stances, backgrounds, jersey numbers, team names and custom nicknames. A voice can even be added to the card, telling other web visitors why the fan should be KFC USA Softball Team 2007 Bat Girl.
“As if creating a customized softball card isn’t enough fun, one lucky girl is going to experience the thrill of a lifetime,” said James O’Reilly, chief marketing officer for KFC. “Suiting up and taking the field along with Team USA when they face off against China will be an experience that any sports fan would cherish.”
The lucky winner will receive round-trip airfare (for the winner and her parents or guardians), accommodations at the team hotel, a game day ride on the team bus, a personalized jersey, a team autograph session, dinner with the team and much more.
A panel of qualified judges will choose the winner based equally on the following criteria: Originality, Creativity, Integration of KFC- and ASA-related themes and messages, and Appropriateness to the KFC and ASA Images. Complete rules and additional information can be found at kfc.com. No purchase is necessary.
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world’s most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe®, Extra Crispy™, and Colonel’s Crispy Strips® with home-style sides, Honey BBQ Wings, and freshly made chicken sandwiches. There are more than 14,000 KFC outlets in more than 80 countries and territories around the world, serving some 12 million customers each day. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE:YUM)
ABOUT ASA
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 84 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 240,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million. For more information on the ASA, visit www.asasoftball.com.
ABOUT USA SOFTBALL
USA Softball is the brand created, operated and owned by the ASA that links the USA Men’s, Women’s, Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ National Team programs together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting these four National Teams to compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of the only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won eight World Championship titles including the last six consecutive. -
Ebay Auctions Now Open
June 08, 2007
USA Softball Ebay Auctions Now Open!OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Do you want to be a part of one of the greatest teams in Olympic history? Do you want to own a piece of softball history ? USA Softball is offering the opportunity to be in the dugout with USA Softball Women’s National Team as the official bat girl when USA takes on the Dominican Republic on Saturday, July 14th during the KFC World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City. Okla. This unique purchase includes:- Official Bat girl for Team USA on Sat., July 14th for the USA/Dominican Republic game
- Two Night Stay at Team Hotel –
Friday, July 13th and Saturday, July 14th
(Additional nights can be purchased)
- Ride with the team from the hotel to the field on game day
- A personalized USA Softball Team Jersey with your name and number on the back (will communicate size and specifics following purchase)
- Two Reserved tickets for your guest(s) during the weekend’s event.
(Additional tickets can be arranged if you extend your stay in OKC)
- Autograph Session with Team USA
- Attend a Friday, July 13 evening post-game dinner with Team USA at the stadium
- Local ground transportation and airfare is not included
- All net proceeds benefit the ASA Child Care Fund
- Anyone serving as the bat girl must be between the ages of 12-18
We also have several authentic items from your favorite USA Softball players including Cat Osterman, Stacey Nuveman and Jennie Finch. These are priceless items from the legends of softball that can be yours with a click of a button!!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take home some of softball’s greatest unique memorabilia. All merchandise is USA Softball Authentic signifying the validity of material and signatures. Each item will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the ASA Executive Director along with a “USA Softball Authentic” seal. This auction will benefit USA Softball and the players listed on each item.
Log on to Ebay to bid on this wonderful experience. The bid will close Tuesday at midnight.
ABOUT ASA
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 84 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 240,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million. For more information on the ASA, visit www.asasoftball.com.
ABOUT USA SOFTBALL
USA Softball is the brand created, operated and owned by the ASA that links the USA Men’s, Women’s, Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ National Team programs together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting these four National Teams to compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of the only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won eight World Championship titles including the last six consecutive. -
Arizona is No 1
June 08, 2007
Arizona is No. 1 in final ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25
Oklahoma City---They may have not been ranked No. 1 during the regular season but Arizona (50-14-1) proved they are the top team in the country in the final ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Poll by winning their eighth NCAA Women’s College World Series title. The Wildcats defeated Tennessee (63-8) twice in the WCWS Championship Series to secure the crown. The Lady Vols, who held the top spot in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Poll most the season, end the season as the No. 2 team in the country.No. 3 Washington (42-9) jumped eight spots in the final poll after a solid performance at the WCWS. The Huskies, who were just one win away from the Championship Series, went undefeated through their bracket but were upended by Arizona in the bracket finals twice. DePaul (47-13) also made a big move in the final poll jumping to No. 6 after sweeping previous No. 1 Oklahoma (55-8) in the Super Regionals and finishing tied for 5th in the WCWS.
Oklahoma finishes the season ranked No. 9 after being upset in the Super Regionals by the Blue Demons while LSU (55-12) and Alabama (55-10) fall to No. 10 and No. 11, respectively, after failing to advance to the WCWS after losing in the Super Regionals as well.
A few teams finished the season in style and were rewarded for their efforts in the final ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Poll. Florida (50-22) advanced seven spots in the final poll to No. 15 after advancing into the Super Regionals where they lost their three game series to Texas A&M (46-14). Cal State Fullerton (38-23), who had not been ranked in the Top 25 since February 15 of 2006, earns a spot at No. 20 in the final poll after a solid performance in post-season play that included a trip to the Super Regionals.
South Carolina (38-26) also earned a spot in the final Top 25 at No. 24 after advancing to their first Super Regional in school history by defeating Oregon (44-19) twice on the final day of Regional competition.
Southern Illinois (41-16) and Illinois State (44-17-1) both dropped out of the Top 25 for the first time since February 20.
ABOUT ASA
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 84 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 240,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million. For more information on the ASA, visit www.asasoftball.com.
ABOUT USA SOFTBALL
USA Softball is the brand created, operated and owned by the ASA that links the USA Men’s, Women’s, Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ National Team programs together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting these four National Teams to compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of the only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won eight World Championship titles including the last six consecutive. -
May 2007 Rule Clarifications and Plays
May 31, 2007
Rule Clarifications and Plays for May 2007
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2007 Mens National Team
May 30, 2007
USA Softball Announces 2007 Men’s National TeamThe KFC American Challenge Series, which will be held in conjunction with the KFC World Cup of Softball, was developed by the ASA to help expose the men’s fast pitch game to fans who attend the World Cup and to give the USA Men’s National Team an opportunity to play on American soil. This will be the first time an International Softball Federation (ISF) men’s fast pitch event has been hosted in the U.S. in more than a decade. The last event held in the U.S. was the 1996 ISF Men’s World Championship in Midland, Mich.“We are very excited to be hosting the inaugural KFC American Challenge Series in Oklahoma City this summer,” said Radigonda. “This is a very unique opportunity for softball fans to get to see both their national teams play in one location. Men’s fast pitch is a very exciting sport to watch and I have no doubt fans are going to be treated to some great action.”
The players selected to represent the United States this season as part of the 2007 USA Softball Men’s National Team are:
Gregg Cascaes (Apple Valley, Minn.)
Frank DeGroat, Jr. (Ringwood, N.J.)
Chris DeLarwelle (Appleton, Wis.)
Nate Devine (Merced, Calif.)
Lucas Goring (St. Paul, Minn.)
B.J. Hunhoff (Harrisburg, S.D.)
Chris Hunt (Whittier, Calif.)
Tim Hunt (La Habra, Calif.)
Adam LaLonde (Kentwood, Mich.)
Terry Luster (Bunceton, Mo.)
Chris Miljavac (St. Joseph, Mo.)
Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.)
Daryn Miller (Creve Coeur, IL)
Omar Moraga (Tucson, Ariz.)
Matt Palazzo (Des Moines, Iowa)
Philip Perkins (St. Michaels, Ariz.)
Travis Price (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Cody Thomson (Auburn, Wyo.)The 2007 USA Softball Men’s National Team will be coached by Head Coach Peter Turner and Assistant Coaches Thad Brown and Avon Meacham.
About ASA
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 84 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 240,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million. For more information on the ASA, visit www.asasoftball.com.
About USA Softball
USA Softball is the brand created, operated and owned by the ASA that links the USA Men’s, Women’s, Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ National Team programs together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting these four National Teams to compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of the only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won eight World Championship titles including the last six consecutive.
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Abbott named 2007 Player of the Year
May 29, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. --- The Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced today the selection of Monica Abbott (Salinas, Calif.) as the recipient of the 6th Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. After placing in the top three in 2006, Abbott dominated the collegiate softball circuit this season to garner the nation’s top softball award.The USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award, in its sixth year, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by NCAA Division I collegiate softball players across the country. This marks the second consecutive year that Abbott has been named as a top three finalist for the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year and the fourth consecutive year she was named as a top 10 finalist.
“I have worked so hard and have come so close to getting this award that I can’t really put it into words what this honor means to me and I am very humbled” said Abbott after receiving the honor at the opening ceremonies of the NCAA College World Series. “I would like to thank USA Softball and the University of Tennessee for giving me the honor to be a contender for this award.”
In her final campaign at the collegiate level, Abbott is leaving a mark on a sport that she has been playing since she was seven. So far this season she has broken the career NCAA Division I record for wins, strikeouts, shutouts and appearances. She picked up her third Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year award and was named as a first-team All-SEC and All-South Region selection. She now leads the nation all-time with 185 career victories, 2,365 strikeouts, 108 shutouts and 247 appearances. She currently leads NCAA Division I with 649 strikeouts, 46 wins and in strikeouts per seven innings at 14.5.
“Monica Abbott is very deserving of any award she gets because she epitomizes everything that is right about college softball,” said Tennessee Co-Head Coach Ralph Weekly. “She is an honor student and a team leader. She has great character and a great work ethic. She always puts the team first. She is now and has always been the captain of our ship. Karen and I are proud to have coached her.”
Abbott has thrown 22 career no-hitters with six perfect games during her time at Tennessee, with five of those coming in 2007. With 649K’s, she is just 14 short from tying the NCAA Division I single season record for strikeouts of 663 set by former Southern Miss hurler Courtney Blades in 2000.
The three finalists for the 2007 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award, listed in alphabetical order, were Abbott, Arizona State sophomore Kaitlin Cochran and Oklahoma sophomore Samantha Ricketts.
A replica of the award will be placed in a permanent display in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, along with photos of the winner. An additional replica of the award will be presented to the player’s academic institution at a designated event in the fall.
Cat Osterman of the University of Texas became the first three-time winner of the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award in 2006 after leading her Longhorns to the Big 12 regular season title and a berth into the NCAA Women’s College World Series. Past winners of the award include Stacey Nuveman (UCLA-2002), Osterman (Texas-2003, 2005, 2006) and Jessica Van der Linden (Florida State-2004).
About ASA
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 84 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 240,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million. For more information on the ASA, visit www.asasoftball.com.
About USA Softball
USA Softball is the brand created, operated and owned by the ASA that links the USA Men’s, Women’s, Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ National Team programs together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting these four National Teams to compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of the only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won eight World Championship titles including the last six consecutive. -
Top Three Finalists Announced for Player of the Year
May 23, 2007
Top Three Finalists Announced for Player of the YearOKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. --- The Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced today the three finalists for the sixth annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, in its sixth year, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by NCAA Division I collegiate softball players across the country.An initial “Watch List” was released on January 30 and the list of 25 finalists was announced on April 4. The field of finalists was trimmed to 11 on May 9 just prior to the start of post-season competition.
For the third consecutive year, the three finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year come from different Conferences including the Southeastern Conference, Pac-10 and Big 12. These three individuals have already garnered top awards in their respective Conferences and have led their teams into the NCAA Super Regionals.
The three finalists for the 2007 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award, listed in alphabetical order, are:
Monica Abbott (Tennessee) – Senior – Pitcher - Salinas, Calif.
Kaitlin Cochran (Arizona State) - Sophomore - Outfielder - Yorba Linda, Calif.
Samantha Ricketts (Oklahoma) - Sophomore - First Base - San Jose, Calif.
In her final campaign at the collegiate level, Tennessee’s Monica Abbott of Salinas, Calif., is leaving a mark on a sport that she has been playing since she was seven. So far this season she has broken the career NCAA Division I record for wins, strikeouts, shutouts and appearances. She picked up her third Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year award and was named as a first-team All-SEC and All-South Region selection. She now leads the nation all-time with 183 career victories, 2,345 strikeouts, 107 shutouts and 244 appearances. She currently leads NCAA Division I with 629 strikeouts, 44 wins and in strikeouts per seven innings at 14.6.
This marks the second consecutive year that Abbott has been named as a top three finalist for the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year and the fourth consecutive year she was named as a top 10 finalist.
"Monica Abbott is the type of athlete that every coach would like to have on their team," Lady Vol co-head coach Ralph Weekly said. "She is extremely talented with a tremendous work ethic and brings great energy out to the field every single day. Monica is very humble and always puts the team first in everything she does. She is a team captain and a team leader who has always been critical to the success of our teams at Tennessee."
"I am extremely honored to be among the three finalists for the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year award," Lady Vol senior pitcher Monica Abbott said. "This has been an exciting season for me and my teammates, and I'm very happy that I've been able to contribute to the success of our team during my final season at UT. I'd like to thank everyone responsible for the honor of me being considered for such an amazing award."
Kaitlin Cochran’s sophomore season at Arizona State is proving to be even better than her freshman season just a year ago which saw her named as an NFCA First-Team All-American. For the second time in her career, this Yorba Linda, Calif., native claimed the Pac-10 Batting Title, wrapping up the 2007 regular season with a .506 batting average, 88 hits, 18 home runs and 57 RBI for a slugging percentage of .931 and an on-base-percentage of .621. She also leads the Sun Devils in stolen bases this season with 27 and has a nearly flawless fielding percentage of .978.
“To have Kaitlin named to the top three finalists for USA Softball National Player of the Year is a huge honor, not only for her, but for her team as well,” Sun Devil Head Coach Clint Myers said. “She has had a phenomenal season and has worked for every acclaim, award and record she has received or set this year. Kaitlin is an athlete any coach would dream of having on their team. She works and demands more of herself than any coach or teammate could demand. She’s been selfless in her play this year, putting the team first and herself last, where at the end of the day what matters is the team and the win, not the stats she posted.
She is an amazing athlete and person and no matter what she decides to do in life, she will succeed, whether it be in playing, coaching or teaching. I’m more than proud to have her as a member of this amazing Arizona State team and she has deserved this honor, not only for her actions on the field, but off.”
Cochran’s record breaking season consists of taking over as the new ASU single-season hits leader with 88 breaking former All-American Ann Rowan’s 17-year record of 86 set during the 1990 season. She also toppled herself in the ASU record book surpassing her single-season home run record of 17 with her current total of 18, which combined puts her fourth in career home runs at ASU as a sophomore.
”I don’t honestly know what to say about this, it’s never something I expected,” said a surprised Kaitlin Cochran. “It was flattering to be put on the pre-season list for the award, and to make the top-25 and even the top-10 list. Never did I imagine I would be in the three finalists for the USA Softball National Player of the Year award. It’s not something I would ever expect with so many other amazing softball players in the nation. It’s an amazing feeling to have someone think so highly of you, after the hours and the effort put in. Like I said every player in the nation puts in that time and work, but in receiving it I know that I’m not the only one being honored. My teammates, coaches, family and supporters also deserve this, and I cannot thank them enough for helping me become the athlete I am today.”
She has already been selected as the Pac-10 Player of the Year, her second Pac-10 Award after winning Freshman of the Year in 2006. She was also selected First-Team All-Region which qualifies her to be named as a First-Team All-American.
Oklahoma sophomore Samantha Ricketts has been a huge reason for the success of the Sooners this season. The San Jose, Calif., native is considered one of the most prolific hitting first baseman to compete at the collegiate level in more than a decade and for good reason. She set the Big 12 and Oklahoma single season record for RBI with 81 and currently leads the nation in RBI per game with 1.33. She led the Big 12 Conference in home runs, RBI, total bases and slugging percentage during the regular season. She has smashed four grand slams this season and is only two home runs shy of the Oklahoma single-season record.
For her efforts this season, Ricketts was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team and All-Region First Team for a second consecutive year. She will be looking to lead her Sooners back to the World Series for the first time since 2004 when Oklahoma faces DePaul this weekend in the Super Regional in Norman.
“This is a tremendous honor for one of the best and purest hitters I have seen in such a young career,” said Oklahoma Head Coach Patty Gasso. “Not only did she set OU and Big 12 single season records in RBI, she is also one of the toughest outs in the country. She is very deserving of this and works so diligently both offensively and defensively. I know that Sam is going to be both thrilled and humbled in the fact that she is such a great team player as this recognition is also a tribute to our team and the table setters in front of her that reach base time after time and allow her to drive in runs.”
“I’m still very shocked and honored because there are so many great players all around the country and on my own team,” Sooner first baseman Samantha Ricketts said. “It’s a huge honor and I really wouldn’t be in this position without my teammates and coaches. If it wasn’t for all of the girls on my team getting on base, I wouldn’t have nearly as many RBI this season so this reflects on them as well. I appreciate the recognition from USA Softball and I’m looking forward to this weekend for the Super Regional.”
The winner of the 2007 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced Tuesday, May 29 during the opening ceremonies of the 2007 NCAA Women’s College World Series.
A replica of the award will be placed in a permanent display in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, along with photos of the winner. An additional replica of the award will be presented to the player’s academic institution at a designated event in the fall.
Cat Osterman of the University of Texas became the first three-time winner of the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award in 2006 after leading her Longhorns to the Big 12 regular season title and a berth into the NCAA Women’s College World Series. Past winners of the award include Stacey Nuveman (UCLA-2002), Osterman (Texas-2003, 2005, 2006) and Jessica Van der Linden (Florida State-2004).
About ASA
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 84 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 240,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million. For more information on the ASA, visit www.asasoftball.com.
About USA Softball
USA Softball is the brand created, operated and owned by the ASA that links the USA Men’s, Women’s, Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ National Team programs together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting these four National Teams to compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of the only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won eight World Championship titles including the last six consecutive. -
Invitees for Womens National Team
May 21, 2007