OKLAHOMA CITY – Arguably the most recognized softball player in the World, Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.) will hang up her Red, White and Blue uniform as she announced her retirement from USA Softball effective after the 2010 KFC World Cup of Softball presented by Six Flags, announced today by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America. During her 10 year career with USA Softball, Finch has emerged as an icon bringing recognition to the sport on levels transcending the diamond.

“I feel an outpouring of gratitude for so much and for so many that it’s really hard to put into words. Playing USA Softball has been more to me than I ever imagined possible. I could never have dreamed what an amazing ride this has been,” said Finch. “I have been honored with so many amazing opportunities and I have to credit so many people; from the women before me to everyone at USA Softball to the fans and everyone involved in the sport who have made this such a special part of my life.”

Finch entered the USA Softball National Team program in 2001 at the Pan American Qualifier. She has been on the National Team every year since then and in 2004 earned an Olympic Gold Medal in Athens and in 2008 an Olympic Silver Medal in Beijing.

“To be a little girl, wearing USA stuff, watching the Olympics and then to grow older and to compete alongside the women you have admired is unbelievable. It’s so surreal that I was able to play with my role models in Leah (O’Brien-Amico), Lisa (Fernandez) and Laura (Berg.),” said Finch. “There is so much history, pride and tradition with USA Softball and I feel extremely blessed to be a part of it for the last 10 years. It has taken me places I have never dreamt of and given me relationships that go way beyond the softball field. I am thankful to my teammates, coaches, USA Softball, sponsors, my friends and family who have allowed me to not only create my dreams but to live them.”

Along with her Olympic medals, the 6’1” pitcher is a three-time World Cup Champion, three time World Champion and a two-time Pan American Champion. She spent most of her time in the circle, but recently has emerged at the plate and defensively at first base. Her most recent Championship win in the circle was at the 2009 Japan Cup where she threw a one-hitter against 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Japan as well as hit a two-run double to lead the USA to a 2-0 defeat over Japan. In 2009, Finch was also named the USA Softball Player of the Year.

“Jennie has meant so much to the sport and the growth of it. She has brought it to a whole new level of recognition as a worldwide sport. She has been instrumental in growing the sport both on the fielder as a pitcher, player and hitter but also as a person,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda. “She is one who has never turned down an autograph or photo requests and truly appreciates her fans. She is as fan friendly as anyone out there. She has a respect for the young athletes who aspire to be her because she was that young girl at one time. I know she will continue to do what she can to help grow the sport and we at ASA appreciate all the time she spent with USA Softball. She will always be a great person in the sport of softball but more importantly a good person.”

Finch came on the international scene in after a stellar career at the University of Arizona. She set the NCAA record for consecutive wins with 60 and was a two-time Honda Award winner for Nation’s top softball player. Outside of softball she was named one of People’s Most Beautiful people in 2004, was a member of The Celebrity Apprentice cast in 2008 and most recently she earned recognition for becoming the first female to hit a home run at the MLB Legends and Celebrities Softball Game.

“It’s a sad day for the sport of softball,” said the only four-time softball Olympian Laura Berg. “Softball is losing one of its greatest icons with the retirement of Finch. She has always been and always will be a great model for kids. She has been an amazing ambassador for the sport in the U.S. and globally. I’m honored to call her my teammate and friend.”

At age 29, Finch has played on several USA Softball rosters, being a rookie at age 19 but now a decorated veteran. During this time, she has touched the lives of many former and current teammates who will forever remember the athlete and most importantly person she is.

“Being able to see the sport grow so much in the past 10 years is such an honor. It’s incredible how much it has grown not only in the United States but also internationally. Hopefully I will continue to be involved with the development of the sport in some way just not in uniform. USA Softball will always be part of me and I plan to work in proving more opportunities in the future.”

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Oklahoma City — Despite losing first place votes to both Alabama and Michigan, Washington is the No. 1 team in the nation, according to the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll released today by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America. The 16th consecutive No. 1 ranking for the Huskies (45-6) also marks the first time in the history of the poll that a team has been the top ranked team for an entire regular season.

Click here to view the complete poll.

Washington, the 2009 NCAA National Champions, finished the regular season by topping No. 11 Arizona State (41-15) 5-4 and 9-0 in five innings after losing 6-5 to the Sun Devils on Thursday. Other losses this season for the Huskies: 7-4 to Utah State on Feb. 19; 5-3 to DePaul on March 19; 1-0 to UCLA on April 1; 4-0 to Oregon on April 17; and 9-1 in five innings to California. UCLA (40-11) is currently ranked No. 4, California (41-17) is No. 13 and Oregon (33-19) is No. 22.

The voting panel, which currently includes 17 coaches on the Division I level and three people from softball organizations and publications, has put Washington on top in every balloting since the final poll of the 2009 season. The team was ranked No. 1 in the pre-season poll released in January as well as all 14 regular season polls this year. The final poll of the 2010 season will be released following the conclusion of the Women’s College World Series, June 3-9, at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Michigan (46-6) earned a No. 1 vote but remained No. 2 in the poll for the sixth-consecutive week, dating back to April 13 (Week 9). The Wolverines have threatened the Huskies before, claiming six No. 1 votes in Week 10 and eight in Week 11, but could not close in on the Dawgs despite an undefeated weekend against Northwestern.

With an impressive performance at the SEC Tournament in Fayetteville, Ark., Alabama (48-9) snagged two No. 1 votes in the poll, but finished third. The Crimson Tide shut out Arkansas, which has received votes in previous polls, then topped No. 15 Tennessee (42-13) and No. 10 LSU (44-14) to take the SEC Championship.

After a sixth-place ranking last week, UCLA improved two spots after taking two-of-three on the road at now No. 6 Arizona (43-11). Other movement in the poll included LSU jumping one spot to No. 10 and ASU dropping one to No. 11. No. 16 Stanford (36-17), No. 17 Illinois (43-6), No. 18 Texas A&M (42-14) and No. 21 Ohio State (37-12) all moved up one spot from last week. Oklahoma State (43-14) dropped four spots to No. 20 and No. 22 Oregon dropped two.

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OKLAHOMA CITY — The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today the 20 athletes who will represent the United States this summer at competitions and exhibitions in Canada and Japan. The athletes, who are members of the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team and the Women’s Future National Team, will participate in three events over two months: Canadian Open Fast Pitch International Championship, July 7-11, in Surrey, B.C.; exhibition games, July 13-14, Whitehorse, Yukon; and Japan Cup, August 3-9, in Sendai City, Japan.

Roster for Canadian Open Fast Pitch International Championship and exhibitions

Valerie Arioto (Pleasanton, Calif.)
Chelsea Bramlett (Cordova, Tenn.)
Ashley Charters (Beaverton, Ore.)
Kaitlin Cochran (Yorba Linda, Calif.)
Kenzie Fowler (Tucson, Ariz.)
Alissa Haber (Newark, Calif.)
Ashley Hansen (Chandler, Ariz.)
Molly Johnson (Tucson, Ariz.)
Megan Langenfeld (Bakersfield, Calif.)
Brittany Lastrapes (Laguna Niguel, Calif.)
Blaire Luna (Austin, Texas)
Jenae Leles (Fair Oaks, Calif.)
Meagan May (Spring, Texas)
Lauren Schutzler (Monterey, Calif.)
Jordan Taylor (Valencia, Calif.)
Angela Tincher (Eagle Rock, Va.)
Shawna Wright (Lancaster, Calif.)

Roster for the Japan Cup

Valerie Arioto (Pleasanton, Calif.)
Chelsea Bramlett (Cordova, Tenn.)
Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif.)
Ashley Charters (Beaverton, Ore.)
Kaitlin Cochran (Yorba Linda, Calif.)
Kenzie Fowler (Tucson, Ariz.)
Alissa Haber (Newark, Calif.)
Ashley Hansen (Chandler, Ariz.)
Ashley Holcombe (Fayetteville, Ga.)
Molly Johnson (Tucson, Ariz.)
Megan Langenfeld (Bakersfield, Calif.)
Brittany Lastrapes (Laguna Niguel, Calif.)
Jenae Leles (Fair Oaks, Calif.)
Blaire Luna (Austin, Texas)
Jordan Taylor (Valencia, Calif.)
Tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo.)

An additional athlete will be added to the Japan Cup roster at a later date.

In Canada, the team will be coached by Women’s National Team Head Coach Jay Miller (Starkville, Miss./head coach Mississippi State) along with National Team Assistant Coach Gordon Eakin (Sandy, Utah/head coach BYU) and Suzy Brazney (Huntington Beach, Calif./head coach Golden West College). Brazney is also an assistant for the Junior Women’s National Team, which will be named in June.

The Japan Cup coaching squad will include both Miller and Eakin. Ken Eriksen (Tampa, Fla./head coach South Florida), who is in his second year as an assistant coach with the Women’s National Team, will also make the trip to Sendai City.

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today the 42 athletes who have accepted an invitation to attend the 2010 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team selection camp, June 10-13, at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. The athletes, who are age 18 and under, represent 13 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah.

The 17 athletes selected for the 2010 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team will be announced on June 15. The team will compete later this year at the III Pan American Softball Championship (18-and-under), August 6-15, in Bogota, Colombia. The event serves as a qualifier for the International Softball Federation (ISF) IX Jr. Women’s World Championship (19-and-under), December 6-17, 2011, in Cape Town, South Africa.

Athletes attending the selection camp are:

Marisa Bast (Orange, Calif./Explosion)

Bianka Bell (Brandon, Fla./Florida Tampa Mustangs Bell)

Nancy Bowling (Simi Valley, Calif./California Batbusters)

Ally Carda (Elk Grove, Calif./California Lady Magic)

Lauren Chamerlain (Trabuco Canyon, Calif./California Worth Firecrackers)

Erica Cippolloni (Philadelphia, Pa./New Jersey Breakers)

Cheyenne Cordes (Fairfield, Calif./California Lady Magic)

Cheyenne Coyle (West Hills, Calif./California Batbusters)

Jessica Damico (Gray Summit, Mo./Missouri Chaos Furrer)

Shelby Davis (Goddard, Kan./Kansas Mustangs)

Hailey Decker (Keizer, Ore./Oregon Northwest Bullets Gold)

D’anna Devine (Morrisville, Pa./Newtown Rock Gold)

Taylor Dewbery (McAllister, Okla./Oklahoma Diamond Girls)

Taylor Edwards (Murrieta, Calif./California Corona Angels)

Dallas Escobedo (Glendale, Ariz./Arizona Hotshots Gold)

Amber Freeman (Lakewood, Calif./California Batbusters)

Erin Gabriel (Poland, Ohio/Valley Extreme Blue)

Chelsea Goodacre (Temecula, Calif./California Fury)

Lauren Haeger (Peoria, Ariz./Arizona Hotshots-Householder)

Meghan Harman (Trabuco Canyon, Calif./California Raiders)

Andrea Hawkins (Bay City, Texas/Texas Impact)

Kaitlin Inglesby (Portland, Ore./Oregon Northwest Blaze)

Breana Kostreba (Aptos, Calif./California Sorcerers)

Kylee Lahners (Laguna Hills, Calif./California Worth Firecrackers)

Samantha Lenahan (Lawrenceville, Ga./Georgia Elite)

Destinee Martinez (Corona, Calif./California Corona Angels)

Alexis Mercado (Temecula, Calif./So Cal Athletics)

Shelby Pendley (Rio Rancho, N.M./New Mexico Sundancers)

Jessica Plaza (Huntington Beach, Calif./California Cruisers – Mel)

Sierra Rodriguez (Chandler, Ariz./Killer Bees 16-Under)

Sierra Romero (Murrieta, Calif./Orange County Batbusters)

Kourtney Salvarola (Arnold, Md./Wagnors)

Madison Shipman (Valencia, Calif./California Choppers)

Delaney Spaulding (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Orange County Batbusters – Hanning)

McKenzie St. Clair (Highland, Utah/Arizona Hotshots)

Kelsey Stewart (Arkansas City, Kan./Kansas Mustangs)

Cheyanne Tarango (Anaheim Hills, Calif./California Worth Firecrackers)

Darian Tautalafua (Carson, Calif./Orange County Batbusters – Hanning)

Nyree White (Eugene, Ore./Oregon Thunder)

Hallie Wilson (Tustin, Calif./California Worth Firecrackers)

Chelsea Zgrabik (Venice, Fla./Florida Tropic Wave)

Courtney Ziese (Canyon Country, Calif./California Choppers)

To be eligible for selection, athletes had to meet the ISF age requirements for the 18-Under event in Colombia and the 19-Under event South Africa by having been born January 1, 1992, or later.

Karen Johns (Starkville, Miss./asst. coach Mississippi State) will lead the Junior Women’s Team in Colombia as Head Coach. Suzy Brazney (Huntington Beach, Calif./head coach Golden West College), Stacy Iveson (Prescott, Ariz./head coach Yavapai College) and Pat Murphy (Northport, Ala./head coach Alabama) will join Johns on staff.

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) and USA Softball are pleased to announce that Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.) and Matt Palazzo (Des Moines, Iowa) were named the USA Softball Female and Male Athlete of the year, respectively, for their accomplishments during the 2009 season.

Finch saw time as both a pitcher and at first base on defense and made an impact at the plate on offense. Finch’s hits in the Championship Game of both the Japan Cup and Canada Cup secured the USA victory. She was voted the Japan Cup MVP after she not only threw a one-hitter to defending Olympic Gold Medalist Japan but also drove in the only two runs scored, with a double, to help lead the team to a 2-0 victory. In the Championship game of the Canada Cup with two outs left in the seventh, Finch hit a walk-off single that would push a run across the plate and give the United States a 3-2 victory.

Offensively, Finch was in the Top five in all three events in batting average with a summer average of .447. Her best event was at the World Cup of Softball where Finch hit .500 with a home run and three runs scored. During the summer of 2009, she made an appearance in all 18 games with 17 starts with three home runs and 17 hits. As a pitcher, she was 5-0 with a 0.54 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Finch allowed only two earned runs in 26.0 innings pitched.

“I am completely honored all the way around to not only play for our great country but also to be recognized out of a group of extremely talented athletes. I am surrounded by amazing women and feel blessed to be a part of USA Softball,” said Finch. “I feel privileged to still have the opportunity to play the game I love at this stage in my life. Just to wear USA across my chest is a great honor and I am grateful for the opportunities I continue to have.”

Palazzo helped lead the USA Softball Men’s National team to a fourth-place finish at the ISF Men’s World Championships in Saskatoon, Canada, with a 7-3 record. He led the team with a .444 average (12-for-27) and was the only player to record more than one home run with four homers. At the plate, he contributed 11 RBI, scoring nine runs. He was near perfect on defense, making only one error.

“This summer was amazing to be able to compete among great International opponents at the World Championships. Seeing the different cultures, styles of play and at such a high level is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. To wear red, white and blue and represent your country is such an amazing thing and I can’t wait to get out there and compete again,” said Palazzo who admitted he was smiling away after he heard the news. “I am very shocked and pleased to earn this honor. I worked extremely hard last year and thought I had a great year but didn’t expect this. Just to be in the same category as an athlete like Jennie Finch is an honor in itself.”

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OKLAHOMA CITY — International softball returns to the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City when the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team takes on Canada, Japan and the USA Futures Team at the 5th World Cup of Softball, July 22-26.

“There is nothing like the World Cup,” said two-time Olympian Jennie Finch. “It is the best environment and my favorite event each year. I look forward to competing at the greatest softball complex in the World and in front of the World’s Greatest Fans. I get chills just thinking about it again and am really looking forward to returning to Oklahoma City.”

“We are proud to welcome world-class softball back to Oklahoma City for this premier event in International women’s fast pitch softball,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda. “The World Cup of Softball has proven to be one of the premier events in the softball community, attracting the highest level athletes from across the country and the world. For our athletes, the World Cup provides one of the only opportunities to play before a home crowd with ‘USA’ written across their chests so we hope people come out to the stadium to make this experience special for them.”

Expected to represent Team USA are two-time Olympians Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman and Natasha Watley, who helped lead the U.S. to the Gold Medal in Athens and Silver Medal in Beijing. Members of 2008 Olympic Silver Medal winning team also scheduled to play in the 5th World Cup of Softball are Olympic silver medalists Monica Abbott, Andrea Duran, Vicky Galindo, Lauren Lappin and Caitlin Lowe. The official roster for USA Futures will be chosen by the USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Committee and will be named at a later date to be announced.

“The USA Futures team will be a great way to identify the future pipeline of our National team program,” added Radigonda.

All session reserved ($75) and all session general admission ($40) tickets are on sale now by calling 1-800-654-8337 or by visiting www.softballoutlet.com/shop_tickets.asp. Also on sale now is the Ultimate Fan Zone package ($275), which includes a meal with Team USA as well as an autograph session with the team that is only open to Ultimate Fan Zone ticket holders. The Ultimate Fan Zone also includes an all-session reserved seat in the premier section of ASA Hall of Fame Stadium for every game of the World Cup, a personalized replica USA jersey, and free parking. Single session tickets will go on sale at a later date. (See schedule below).

“The World Cup of Softball gets more exciting each and every year and 2010 is no exception,” said two-time Olympian Jessica Mendoza. “Where else can you see the best softball in the World and see the U.S. face off on home soil? Only at the World Cup in Oklahoma City. The fans have always been outstanding and we hope to put on quite a show come July.”

Canada, Japan and the USA played in the 2009 KFC World Cup of Softball 4 with the Americans taking the Gold Medal. Canada defeated Japan to take the Bronze Medal. After the World Cup in July 2009, Japan faced Team USA again at the Japan Cup Sendai City, Japan. In the championship, Finch drove in the game’s only two runs in the first inning, and held a no hitter into the seventh inning. The Americans also faced Canada twice at the 2009 Pan American Championship Qualifier in Maracay, Venezuela, in August 2009. In the first match-up, Team USA suffered their only loss of the 2009 season, but came back to upset Canada in the Gold Medal Game.

Note: All games will be played at the main stadium field and times are subject to change.

Thursday – July 22

7:00 PM USA vs. Canada

9:00 PM Japan vs. USA Futures

Friday – July 23

3:00 PM Canada vs. USA Futures

7:00 PM USA vs. Japan

9:00 PM Canada vs. Japan

Saturday – July 24

11:00 AM USA vs. USA Futures

7:00 PM USA vs. Japan

9:00 PM Canada vs. USA Futures

Sunday – July 25

Noon Japan vs. USA Futures

4:00 PM USA vs. Canada

7:00 PM USA vs. USA Futures

9:00 PM Japan vs. Canada

Monday- July 26

4:00 PM #3 vs. #4

8:00 PM #1 vs. #2

The 5th World Cup of Softball is sanctioned by the International Softball Federation, the governing body of softball internationally as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

Tickets can be purchased through the ASA merchandise website at http://www.softballoutlet.com/shop_tickets.asp or by calling 1-800-654-8337.

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, has selected its initial “Watch List” for the 9th Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. This award, which is considered the most prestigious honors in Division I women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Past winners of this award include UCLA’s Stacey Nuveman, Florida State’s Jessica Van der Linden, three-time winner Texas pitcher Cat Osterman, Tennessee’s Monica Abbott, Virginia Tech’s Angela Tincher and 2009 winner Washington pitcher/hitter Danielle Lawrie.

The 2010 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players representing 35 schools and 14different NCAA Division I Conferences. The list includes 27 seniors, 17 juniors and six sophomores.

The ASA will announce the 25 finalists on April 7. A player does not have to appear on this initial watch list to be considered as a top 25 finalist. However, once the top 25 finalists are named the winner of the award will come from that list. *Freshman qualify for the top 25 list once they have competed at the collegiate level.

2010 USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List

Name (School) – Year – Position – Hometown

Valerie Arioto (California) – Junior – Utility – Pleasanton, Calif.
Donna Bourgeois (ULL) – Junior – Pitcher – Lafayette, La.
Chelsea Bramlett (Mississippi State) – Senior – Catcher/Infield – Cordova, Tenn.
Stephanie Brombacher (Florida) – Junior – Pitcher – Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Neena Bryant (Oregon) –Senior – Outfield – Placentia, Calif.
Anna Cahn (Cal Poly) – Junior – Pitcher/Designated Player – Los Alamitos, Calif.
Whitney Canion (Baylor) – Sophomore – Pitcher – Aledo, Texas
Stacie Chambers (Arizona) – RS-Junior – Catcher – Glendale, Ariz.
Lauren Delaney (Northwestern) – Senior – Pitcher – Jefferson City, Mo.
Krista Donnenwirth (Arizona State) – Junior – SS/Third Base – Mission Viejo, Calif.
Kelsi Dunne (Alabama) – Junior – Pitcher – Port Orange, Fla.
Francesca Enea (Florida) – Senior – Outfield – Woodland Hills, Calif.
Amber Flores (Oklahoma) – Senior – Infield – Calexico, Calif.
Alisa Goler (Georgia) – Junior – Infield – Frankfort, Ill.
Kelly Grieve (Tennessee) – Junior –Outfield –Asheville, N.C.
Alissa Haber (Stanford) – Senior – Outfield- Newark, Calif.
Sarah Hamilton (Florida State) – Junior – Pitcher – Tallahassee, Fla.
Ashley Hansen (Stanford) – Sophomore – Infield – Chandler, Ariz.
Becca Heteniak (DePaul) – Senior – Pitcher – Simi Valley, Calif.
Katie Holverson (Nevada) – Senior – Pitcher – Anthem, Ariz.
Tiffany Huff (Tennessee) – Senior – Catcher/First Base – Saugus, Calif.
Molly Johnson (Kentucky) – Senior –Infield – Tucson, Ariz.
Megan Langenfeld (UCLA) – Senior – Pitcher/First Base – Bakersfield, Calif.
Brittany Lastrapes (Arizona) – Junior – Outfield – Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Danielle Lawrie (Washington) – Senior – Pitcher – Langley, British Columbia
Sam Marder (Ohio State) – Senior – Catcher – Calabasas, Calif.
Morgan Melloh (Fresno State) – Junior – Pitcher – Fishers, Ind.
Rachel Mitchell (LSU) – Senior – Outfield – LaPorte, Texas
Adrienne Monka (Northwestern) – Sophomore – Infield – Rancho Cucamongo, Calif.
Charlotte Morgan (Alabama) – Senior – Pitcher/Utility – Moreno Valley, Calif.
Nikki Nemitz (Michigan) – Senior – Pitcher – St. Clair Shores, Mich.
Carly Normandin (Massachusetts) – Senior – Outfield – Gardner, Mass.
Tara Oltman (Creighton) – Senior – Pitcher – Cortland, Neb.
Kimi Pohlman (Washington) – Sophomore – Outfield – Sammamish, Wash.
Nikki Prier (Jacksonville State) – Senior – Infield – Raleigh, N.C.
Jessica Purcell-Fitu (BYU) – Junior – Catcher – Walnut, Calif.
Melissa Roth (Louisville) – Senior – Catcher – Long Beach, Calif.
Katie Schroeder (UCLA) – Junior – Outfield – Yorba Linda, Calif.
Taylor Schlopy (Georgia) – Junior – Pitcher/Outfield – West Hills, Calif.
Kirsten Shortridge (LSU) – Senior – Pitcher/Outfield– Keller, Texas
Kaila Shull (UCLA) –Senior – Catcher/Outfield – Lodi, Calif.
Danielle Spaulding (North Carolina) – Senior – First Base/Pitcher – Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Rhea Taylor (Missouri) – Junior – Outfield – Buford, Ga.
Chelsea Thomas (Missouri) – Sophomore – Utility – Pleasantville, Iowa
Brooke Turner (Long Beach State) – Junior – Pitcher – Buena Park, Calif.
Maggie Viefhaus (Michigan) – Senior – Infielder – Pacific, Mo.
Kristen Wadwell (Louisville) – Senior – Pitcher/Infield – Sydney, Australia
Amberley Waits (Louisiana Tech) – Senior – Infield – Cleburne, Texas
Kelsi Weseman (Georgia Tech) – Sophomore – Infield – Hutto, Texas
Jen Yee (Georgia Tech) – Senior – Second Base – North Delta, British Columbia

Just days before the start of post-season play, a list of 10 finalists will be named and released on May 12. The final three finalists will be announced May 26 while the winner of the 2010 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced prior to the start of the 2010 NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today the 17 athletes that were offered a USA Softball Athlete Agreement for the 2010 season. The final roster for the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team will be announced in March with the team competing in the ISF Women’s World Championships, June 23-July 2, 2010 in Caracas, Venezuela as well as other events to be scheduled at a later date.

The athletes below were offered a USA Softball athlete agreement for 2010:

Monica Abbott (Salinas, Calif.)
Chelsea Bramlett (Cordova, Tenn.)
Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif.)
Ashley Charters (Beaverton, Ore.)
Kaitlin Cochran (Yorba Linda, Calif.)
Andrea Duran (Selma, Calif.)
Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.)
Vicky Galindo (Union City, Calif.)
Alissa Haber (Newark, Calif.)
Ashley Hansen (Chandler, Ariz.)
Ashley Holcombe (Fayetteville, Ga.)
Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, Calif.)
Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, Calif.)
Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo, Calif.)
Cat Osterman (Houston,Texas)
Natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.)
Tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo.)

The following 13 athletes selected from the selection camp will be alternates on the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team:

Valerie Arioto (Pleasanton, Calif.)
Brandice Balschmiter (Newark, N.Y.)
Courtney Bures (Haymarket, Va.)
Molly Johnson (Lexington, Ken.)
Megan Langenfeld (Bakersfield, Calif.)
Brittany Lastrapes (Laguna Niguel, Calif.)
Jenae Leles (Fair Oaks, Calif.)
Stacey Nelson (Los Alamitos, Calif.)
Amber Patton (Forsyth, Ill.)
Brittany Rogers (Dacula, Ga.)
Melissa Roth (Long Beach, Calif.)
Taylor Schlopy (West Hills, Calif.)
Angela Tincher (Eagle Rock, Va.)

Continue to check out www.usasoftball.com for the most-up-to date info including roster and schedule.

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today that Marietta, Ga. will be the new site for the 2010 ASA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD National Championships August 1-7. With an ASA Code decision recently passed by the ASA Council, the 18-U GOLD will move to the Lost Mountain Softball Complex in Marietta in 2010, a to be determined west coast site in 2011 and return to the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City in 2012.

“With the changes that occurred in Reno at the ASA Annual Meeting, we decided that moving the GOLD to the east would be a great first step towards the new rotation,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda. “Marietta has proven to be a successful host for ASA National Championships especially as the 2004 hosts of the GOLD National. We are excited to move this tournament next year to the west and then every third year return to our home in Oklahoma City. We feel this is the best solution to meet the needs of the teams and everyone else involved in the success of the GOLD.”

Below is the code reference to the site rotation referenced above:

Article 602 H 09 The Junior Olympic Girls 18 and Under Gold Fast Pitch will be rotated to Oklahoma City every third year and in the off years will be placed in other parts of the country by the Executive Director.

Below is the code reference to the new date formula for the 18-Under GOLD National Championship:

Article 509 B 04 f Girls’ ASA Gold 18-Under Fast Pitch. This National Championship Final shall be scheduled to conclude on the first Saturday in August and not be scheduled more than seven (7) days. This event will not have and opening ceremonies event and the managers meeting cannot be scheduled prior to 6:00 PM on the prior Sunday.

RENO, Nev. — The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America concluded the 78th Annual Council Meeting in Reno, Nev. On Thursday afternoon with decisions being voted on that affect the ASA Official Rules of Softball and the ASA Code.

Added Nov. 18: A list of 2010 ASA code and rule changes is now avaliable on the ASA Web site. For code changes with comments, please click here or to view the playing rule changes with comments click here.

The following are highlights in each division of play:

JUNIOR OLYMPIC FAST PITCH

Article 501 C 02 d. New and Re-number

Rostered Player.d. Once a player participates in a club or varsity softball program for any university, community college, or junior college, he or she is ineligible to play in the Junior Olympic Class B program.

Comments: Eliminates college players from the JO Class B program.
Article 501 C 05 a 07 New and Re-number

07. Once a player participates in an intercollegiate softball program for a university, college, or junior/community college, she is ineligible to play in the Junior Olympic Gold Program

Comments: Eliminates college players from the JO Gold Program.

Article 509 B 04 f Girls’ ASA Gold 18-Under Fast Pitch. This National Championship Final shall be scheduled to conclude on the first Saturday in August and not be scheduled more than seven (7) days. This event will not have and opening ceremonies event and the managers meeting cannot be scheduled prior to 6:00 PM on the prior Sunday.

Article 602 H 09 The Junior Olympic Girls 18 and Under Gold Fast Pitch will be rotated to Oklahoma City every third year and in the off years will be placed in other parts of the country by the Executive Director.

RULES:

Pitching Distance Change for 16-U A&B FP to 43 feet.

Pitching Distance Change for 18-U B FP only to 43 feet.

Metal cleats will now be allowed in 16-U and 18-U All Divisions of play in Junior Olympic Fast Pitch.

ADULT FAST PITCH

Article 509 B 02 b Delete Current and Replace with

1. Men’s Open Fast Pitch shall be scheduled on Labor Day weekend commencing no earlier than 6:00 p.m. Thursday and concluding no later than Labor Day. Effective 2011.

OTHER

Article 601 A New

Exception: The ASA Annual meeting will be in Oklahoma City every 5 years beginning in the year 2013 to celebrate ASA’s 80th year anniversary

RENO, Nev. — Piedmont Virginia Amateur Softball Association commissioner Andy Dooley (Bedford, Va.) began his two-year term as President of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America earlier this week. Dooley previously served as President Elect since 2007 and now has started his term as President which will run through November of 2011.

“This is one of the greatest moments of my career and one of the most challenging,” said Dooley. “As thrilled and honored as I am by the confidence you have shown by electing me, I am also profoundly aware of the great responsibility the council entrusts in me in the coming years. I am confident that, with the help of everyone on the council, we will raise the ASA to new heights.”

Dooley has been involved with the ASA for 27 years and has served as the Piedmont Virginia commissioner since 1993. He has guided his association through hosting numerous ASA National Championships and has received six James Farrell awards for excellence in hosting championships.

A native to Virginia, Dooley began his softball career as a player at age 16 competing in men’s fast pitch. He played 22 years of fast pitch and also umpired before entering into an administration role in Virginia. His greatest ASA memory is when his Men’s Class B Fast Pitch team reached the ASA National Championship in 1987.

“Since age 16, softball has provided me with great opportunities throughout my life,” added Dooley. “This sport gives me avenues to continue friendships and the ability to meet new people every day. It also has been helpful in my professional development in Parks and Recreation and assisted me in facility development and budget preparation.”

Dooley is a graduate of Liberty High School in Bedford, Va. and has an associate’s degree in Parks and Recreation from Old Dominion University. An avid Virginia Tech fan, the ASA President has been married to his wife Brenda for four years and has two step-children Jeff (37) and Lori (35).

Previous president Joey Rich, commissioner of Missouri ASA, completed his presidential term this week and E.T. Colvin, commissioner of Mississippi ASA, was elected as President Elect.

RENO, Nevada – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) inducted eight members on Wednesday evening to its National Softball Hall of Fame as ASA celebrated its 29th Annual Hall of Fame Induction celebration. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the 2010 class was announced with 10 members nominated for induction next year.

The four players inducted this evening included Leah O’Brien Amico, Corona, Calif. (Fast Pitch Player); Al Yeager, Seymour, Conn. (Fast Pitch Player); Allyson Rioux, (Deceased)-Stamford, Conn. (Fast Pitch Player); Jeff Seip, Boyertown, Pa. (Fast Pitch Player).

The non-players inducted were Benny Bunch (Deceased) of Enid, Okla., (meritorious service), R.B. Thomas of Manassas, Va. (manager) and umpires Newton Buckner of Brooklyn, N.Y and Tony Walsh of Memphis, Tenn.

The Class of 2009 increases the membership in the National Softball Hall of Fame to 353 since it was established in 1957. Formal inductions were started in 1981 and since 2001 the induction has been held as the closing banquetat the ASA National Council meeting.

Leah O’Brien-Amico

Leah O’Brien-Amico earned ASA All-America honors six times during her career and was a member of three Olympic gold-medal winning teams in 1996, 2000 and 2004. She posted a .313 batting average in 15 highly competitive events during her career, ranging from the Pan American Games to the Olympics. O’Brien-Amico was an outstanding clutch player throughout her career and starred playing the outfield or first base.

Allyson Rioux

Allyson Rioux, who is only the second Hall of Famer elected posthumously, played 10 years for the Raybestos Brakettes before she passed away on February 9, 1989 of a brain tumor. She was a member of five ASA National Championship teams and four National runner-ups. In 1985, she won not only the prestigious Erv Lind Award as the outstanding defensive player in the National Championship, but also the tournament’s MVP award. She is the 20th former Brakette elected to the Hall of Fame.

Jeff Seip

Fellow 2009 Hall of Famer Jeff Seip of Boyertown, Pa., also collected a batting championship during his career (1976-1990), batting .500 to lead the 1983 ASA National Championship in batting. One of the most feared hitters in Men’s Major Fast Pitch during his career, Seip awed fans with his outstanding power and consistent RBI totals, hitting 18 homers and driving in 43 runs in National Championship play. He earned All-America honors six times. In 1976, he was a member of the USA Team that shared the gold medal in the ISF World Championship and in 1984 was a pick-up player for the Franklin Cardinals who represented the USA in the World Championship in Midland, Mich. Twice Seip helped teams win ASA National titles (1977-1978) and led his team to a pair of gold medals in two of the four Olympic Festivals he participated in.

Al Yeager

Yeager, who starred for the Raybestos Cardinals from 1965-1981, is the 12th former Cardinal elected to the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame. Raybestos has the second most number of former players elected to the Hall of Fame. Only the Clearwater, Fla. Bombers have more of their players in the Hall of Fame with 22. An outfielder, Yeager was a member of four National Championships teams and had a career .298 batting average. Yaeger earned All-America honors three times and also led the 1971 ASA National Championship in batting (.455).

Newton Buckner

Newton Buckner umpired from 1981 through 2001 and worked nine ASA National Championships, including eight Men’s Modified Pitch Nationals. In five of the championships, he was selected to work the plate in the championship game. Buckner was named New York City UIC in 1981 and the association was later changed to Southern New York. In 1992, Newton became a member of the National Indicator Fraternity and a year later was ISF certified in modified pitch.

Tony Walsh

Tony Walsh started his umpiring career in 1979 and worked five ASA National Championships between 1981 and 2003. In 1988, he was named to the ASA National Umpire staff representing the Southwest Region and remained a member of that staff until 2001. He is a member of the ASA National Indicator Fraternity and the ASA Medals program.

R.B. Thomas

R.B. Thomas has been the manager of the Thomas Engineering team the past 31 years, leading the team to eight ASA National Championships in 19 appearances. The National Championships have included two in the 50 plus division, two in the 55 plus division and four in the 60 plus division. Besides being the team’s manager, R.B. has sponsored from one to five teams every year since 1978. During his career, he has sponsored 43 teams with 11 winning ASA Nationals. He is the 26th manager elected to the ASA Hall of Fame.

Benny Bunch

Bennie Bunch, the 39th person named in meritorious service, unfortunately passed away on Sept. 16, 2009 but was honored to have been nominated into induction. Bunch was involved with the Oklahoma ASA since 1969 and had been instrumental in the growth and improvements the Association has experienced the last 40 years. A former player, Bunch played or coached in 32 state tournaments and served as the ASA rep at 12 ASA National Championships. He helped his hometown of Enid, Okla., host 11 ASA Nationals.

The 2010 class includes five players, one commissioner, two umpires and two for meritorious service. The five players include: Carl Solarek (old-timer); Fast Pitch Player, Suzy Brazney; Fast Pitch Player, Jody Henniger; Fast Pitch Player, Norbert Worken; Fast Pitch Player and Mike Schenk; Slow Pitch Player.

E.T. Colvin of Mississippi was nominated in the commissioner category while Richard Ribby and Cheryl Simmons were selected as umpires. Ronnie Isham and Guy Demaio will be inducted for meritorious service.

The 2010 induction ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 in Shreveport, La. At the Shreveport Hilton. For more information on the ASA National Hall of Fame contact Holly Krivokapich at hollyk@softball.org.

RENO, Nevada – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) announced today the host sites for the 2011 National Championship season as part of the annual Council Meeting in Reno, Nevada. Along with over 90 tournament sites awarded, voting was held for the 2011 ASA Council Meeting site as well as positions for the Board of Directors.

Six cities showed up to bid on the 2011 ASA National Council Meeting site; San Diego, Calif., Buffalo, N.Y., Tucson, Ariz., Orlando, Fla., Louisville, Ken., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. After the cities presented to the council, the field was voted down to two cities with Myrtle Beach and San Diego remaining. With 120 votes (55.4%), the 2011 ASA National Council Meeting site was awarded to Myrtle Beach.

The next order of business was the election of the new ASA President Elect. E.T. Colvin of Columbus, Miss. won unopposed and was elected as the President elect, effective Nov. 12, 2009. He will serve as President Elect for two years until he takes over the role of ASA President in November of 2011. President Elect Andy Dooley will enter his role of President on Nov. 12 replacing Joey Rich who served the ASA well for the past two years.

Other Board of Director’s elections included the re-election of Texas’ Jack Aaron as Southern Territorial Vice President and the election of Tony Laws of North Carolina as the other Southern Territorial Vice President. Mick Renneisen of Indiana was re-elected for another two years to serve as Northern Territorial Vice President. In the final Board of Director news, Warren Jones of Ohio was elected to serve as Eastern Territorial Vice President.

2011 National Championship Sites

Girls’ Championships

USA/ASA Girls’ 10-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Johnson City, Tenn.

USA/ASA Girls’ 12-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Montgomery, Ala.

USA/ASA Girls’ 14-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Midland, Texas

USA/ASA Girls’ 16-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Chattanooga, Tenn.

USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Normal, Ill.

Girls’ 10-Under Class A Fast Pitch Southern – College Station, Texas

Girls’ 12-Under Class A Fast Pitch Southern – Clinton, Miss.

Girls’ 14-Under Class A Fast Pitch Southern – Tallahassee, Fla.

Girls’ 16-Under Class A Fast Pitch Southern – Columbus, Ga.

Girls’ 18-Under Class A Fast Pitch Southern – Fort Worth, Texas

Girls’ 10-Under Class A Fast Pitch Northern – Rochester, Minn.

Girls’ 12-Under Class A Fast Pitch Northern – St. Louis, Mo.

Girls’ 14-Under Class A Fast Pitch Northern – Bowling Green, Ken.

Girls’ 16-Under Class A Fast Pitch Northern – Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Girls’ 18-Under Class A Fast Pitch Northern – Overland Park, Kan.

Girls’ 10-Under Class A Fast Pitch Western – Westminster, Co.

Girls’ 12-Under Class A Fast Pitch Western – Westminster, Co.

Girls’ 14-Under Class A Fast Pitch Western – Roseville, Calif.

Girls’ 16-Under Class A Fast Pitch Western – Kent, Wash.

Girls’ 18-Under Class A Fast Pitch Western – Portland, Ore.

Girls’ 10-Under Class A Fast Pitch Eastern – Salem, Va.

Girls’ 12-Under Class A Fast Pitch Eastern – Salem, Va.

Girls’ 14-Under Class A Fast Pitch Eastern – Sterling, Va.

Girls’ 16-Under Class A Fast Pitch Eastern – Salem, Va.

Girls’ 18-Under Class A Fast Pitch Eastern – York, Penn.

Girls’ 10-Under Class B Fast Pitch Southern – La Grange, Ga.

Girls’ 12-Under Class B Fast Pitch Southern – Garland, Texas

Girls’ 14-Under Class B Fast Pitch Southern – Ridgeland, Miss.

Girls’ 16-Under Class B Fast Pitch Southern – Tallahassee, Fla.

Girls’ 18-Under Class B Fast Pitch Southern – Cummings, Ga.

Girls’ 10-Under Class B Fast Pitch Northern – Rochester, Minn.

Girls’ 12-Under Class B Fast Pitch Northern – St. Louis, Mo.

Girls’ 14-Under Class B Fast Pitch Northern – Novi, Mich.

Girls’ 16-Under Class B Fast Pitch Northern – Bloomington, Ind.

Girls’ 18-Under Class B Fast Pitch Northern – Rochester, Minn.

Girls’ 10-Under Class B Fast Pitch Western – Fresno, Calif.

Girls’ 12-Under Class B Fast Pitch Western – Fresno, Calif.

Girls’ 14-Under Class B Fast Pitch Western – Spokane, Wash.

Girls’ 16-Under Class B Fast Pitch Western – Prescott, Ariz.

Girls’ 18-Under Class B Fast Pitch Western – Prescott, Ariz.

Girls’ 10-Under Class B Fast Pitch Eastern – York, Penn.

Girls’ 12-Under Class B Fast Pitch Eastern – York, Penn.

Girls’ 14-Under Class B Fast Pitch Eastern – Frederick, M.D.

Girls’ 16-Under Class B Fast Pitch Eastern – Canton, Ohio

Girls’ 18-Under Class B Fast Pitch Eastern – Canton, Ohio

Women’s Championships

Women’s Major Fast Pitch – Salem, Ore.

Women’s A Fast Pitch – Salem, Ore.

Women’s B Fast Pitch – Salem, Ore.

Women’s 23-Under Fast Pitch – Salem, Ore.

Men’s Championships

Men’s Major Fast Pitch – South Bend, Ind.

Men’s Class B Fast Pitch – Fresno, Calif.

Men’s Class C West Fast Pitch – Prescott, Ariz.

Men’s 40-Over Fast Pitch – Salem, Ore.

Men’s 45-Over Fast Pitch – Salem, Ore.

Men’s 50-Over Fast Pitch – Salem, Ore.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) continues its preparation for the 78th Annual Council Meeting as it is just days from kicking off the meeting in Reno, Nev. Hosted at the Peppermill Resort, Nov. 6-14, the Annual Council Meeting brings together administrators, players and tournament hosts from around the country to evaluate the needs of the association along with proposed rule and code changes for all divisions of softball.

The majority of the council meeting will consist of breakout sessions for the different committees and regions. However, several special events will be held throughout the week including the Wilson Sporting Goods Awards Luncheon on Monday, the “Fun Walk” sponsored by Central Screen Printing on Tuesday morning (click here for a flyer) and the National Softball Hall of Fame banquet and reception on Wednesday evening.

More than 100 exhibitors from throughout the United States are expected to attend the annual ASA Trade Show, which will be held Saturday evening in the 2nd Floor Tuscan Tower. The show will feature exhibits from cities bidding on the ASA National Championships, equipment manufacturers and softball suppliers with more than 1,000 council members, association delegates and visitors passing through.

A silent auction will also be held throughout the week at the Peppermill with various items, including those autographed by the 2009 Women’s National Team as well as other standout athletes, up for bid. The proceeds will be donated to the special programs fund.

Also on Tuesday at the general session, cities across the country will make their pitch to the 280 plus ASA Council members to try and win their support to bring one of the 2011 ASA National Championships to their respective cities. The decision of the host cities is one of the most anticipated decisions made by the council as each ASA National Championship has the potential to have thousands of dollars in economic impact.

A complete list of the hosts for the 2010 and 2011 ASA National Championships as well as the host city of the 2011 ASA Annual Council Meeting will be available on the ASA Web site www.asasoftball.com following the council meeting. Rule changes will also be announced on the site.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Behind the pitching and batting of left-hander Keilani Ricketts (San Jose, Calif.), Sorcerer Gold-Phil of Vallejo, Calif. completed an unbeaten sweep through the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) 18-under Girls’ GOLD National Championship Sunday afternoon at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla.

To go 7-0 for their first ASA GOLD national title, Sorcerer Gold defeated the defending 2008 GOLD National Champions, the Gold Coast Hurricanes (Plantation, Fla.) 3-1, in the championship game.

One reason Sorcerers won was because of the outstanding play of Ricketts (San Jose, Calif.), who will attend the University of Oklahoma this fall. Ricketts limited the Hurricanes to only three hits and one run while striking out eight in going the distance in a 97-pitch performance. She issued only one walk.

Her performance was impressive throughout the tournament. She won all of her team’s seven games and fanned 58 batters in 47 innings, allowing 15 hits while only walking eight batters. And she also drove in six runs while batting .444 (8-for-18).

Ricketts also had three of her team’s nine hits—which came off four Gold Coast pitchers—in the championship game with a single in the second and a double to left center leading off the top of the fourth. Ricketts eventually scored on a bloop single by Shenise Cox, making the Sorcerer lead 2-0.

Then the Hurricanes fought back and scored their lone run in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to 2-1 on Michelle Moultrie’s (Plantation, Fla.) RBI single.

The Sorcerers added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a Tylyn Wells’ (Concord, Calif.) single scoring Jessica Vest (Hollister, Calif.), who had singled to open the inning and was sacrificed to second. Wells also brought home the first Sorcerer run in the third inning with a double inside the right field foul line.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Hurricanes went down in order, which ended the game and their magnificent run through the tourney as they finished with a 10-2 record, winning nine consecutive games in the losers bracket before losing in the championship game.

The Hurricanes again used their quartet of pitchers with loser and starter Hannah Rogers, (Lake Wales, Fla.), who went three innings, allowed four hits and two runs, Kylie Vry (Des Moines, Iowa), Leslie Jury ( (Anderson, Fla.) and Rachele Fico ( Oxford, Fla. ) who allowed three hits and one run in two innings. Jury and Fry each pitched an inning.

Gold Coast had advanced to the championship game by eliminating the Worth Firecrackers, 3-1, in the third place game earlier Sunday.

Gold Coast jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and held on as the Firecrackers, who time and time again battled back to win games by one-run margins, couldn’t do it one more time and lost 3-1. Their only run came in the second inning.

Fico went the distance for the Hurricanes against the Firecrackers, striking our five and walking one. The Firecrackers started Rebecca Patton, who allowed two hits and two runs before Ensley Gammel came on to finish the game, allowing four hits and one run.

Moultrie had three of the Hurricanes’ six hits while Hallie Wilson (Tustin, Calif.) and Kylee Lahners (Laguna Hills, Calif.) had two hits apiece for the Firecrackers.

In the winners bracket final on Sunday morning, the Sorcerers blanked the Worth Hurricanes, 2-0, who had won its last four games by one-run margins. The Sorcerers scored single runs in the third and sixth inning to advance to the championship round and remain as the tourney’s lone undefeated team (6-0).

Emily Allard’s (Antioch, Calif.) two-out single brought across the first run in the third inning. The Sorcerers added another run in the top of the seventh on a double by Cox.

The Firecrackers, who dropped into the losers bracket with the loss, could only manage three hits against winning pitcher Ricketts who fanned six and walked one in the complete game.

Taking the loss for the Firecrackers was starter Rebecca Patton (Northridge, Calif.), who gave up three hits and one run in three innings, Ensley Gammel (Bakersfield, Calif.) relieved her and finished the game, allowing two hits and the second run.

While the Sorcerers were blanking the Firecrackers, the defending champion Gold Coast Hurricanes eliminated the So Cal Athletics, 4-2, in the losers bracket with a quartet of pitchers. Leslie Jury (Anderson, Fla.) started, followed by Hannah Rogers, (Lake Wales, Fla.) Kylie Vry (Des Moines, Iowa) and Rachele Fico (Oxford, Fla.) Rogers got the win and hurled four 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two runs.

The Athletics (Upland, Calif.) were eliminated from the tourney with the loss and finished in fourth place in a field of 64 with a 6-2 record. Kayla Massey (Foothill Ranch, Calif.) was the starter and losing pitcher for the Athletics. Mandle Sugita (Rossmore, Calif.) hurled the last one and 2/3 innings.

Center fielder Michelle Moultrie (Plantation, Fla.) led the Hurricanes, winners of eight games in a row in the losers bracket, with a pair of hits including an RBI double in the fourth. She also scored the first Hurricane run on an error. The Hurricanes also scored their second run on an error.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – With two tournament championship titles on its resume, the USA Softball Women’s National team program will now send two teams out to compete with one heading to Sendai City, Japan for the Japan Cup and the other to Maracay, Venezuela, for the Pan American qualifier. The Pan American qualifierwill consist of 22 teams and will qualify the USA for the ISFWomen’s Fast PitchWorld Championships next year in Oklahoma City as well as the Pan American Games in 2011 held in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Japan Cup team will open up play on July 31 against Australia, who the U.S. recentlydefeated in the Championship game of the World Cup. The U.S. will also take on Chinese Taipei and Japanin tournament actionwith the Championship game scheduled for August 2.The team will beled byHead Coach Jay Miller (Starkville, Miss.) and assistants Suzy Brazney (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Chuck D’Arcy (Sacramento, Calif.) and Barb Jordan (Northridge, Calif.).

The Japan Cup is always a competitive event for us and I hope that we can continue to build on the success we have had so far this season,” said Natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.) who leads the team this summer in almost all offensive categories. “We will play three opponents who we faced at the 2008 Olympics so this will also be a great test for the newcomers. I look forward to seeing what this new team will be able to do against the best softball teams in the World.”

The Pan American qualifier team will also be led by Miller with assistant coaches Karen Johns (Whippany, N.J.), Mike Larabee (Dayton, Ohio) and Pat Murphy (Northport, Ala.). The team openscompetitionagainst the British Virgin Islands on July 31, competing in ten pool play games before play offs begin on Aug. 7. The championship game is set for Aug.9.

“I am really looking forward to going to Venezuela. It’s a big qualifier for us as it qualifies us for both the Pan American Games in 2011 and the World Championships in 2010. These are always important events but even more so now that softball is out of the Olympics in 2012,” said pitcher Monica Abbott (Salinas, Calif.). “The Pan American Games are structured a lot like the Olympics so it’s always a big event and then with the World Championships in the United States, the qualifier is that much more important. This team will have a lot of new athletes on it so I am looking forward to all coming together.”

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The 64-team field is complete for the 2009 ASA 18-Under GOLD National Championship scheduled to take place August 2-9 at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla. Pool play draws were completed on Monday by tournament officials as 16 pools of four teams each kick off the tournament action before the 64-team championship bracket is drawn on the evening of Monday, August 3.

Be sure to follow all the tournament action at http://gold.asasoftball.com/ where LIVE STATS and LIVE STREAMING of the stadium field will take place.

The tournament format, where pool play games are used to seed teams into a double elimination bracket, returns for the first time since 2004.

“The significance of being a No. 1 seed after pool play is that you will play a No. 4 seed in your first bracket game, and No. 2 seeded teams will play No. 3 seeded teams,” said ASA Assistant Director of Membership Services and Stadium events Chris Sebren. “This means that the bracket draw will take place at a second coaches meeting following completion of pool play and we will continue to protect teams from within the region and the pools when drawing into the bracket.”

The field represents 24 different states with California having the most at 16 teams and Texas at No. 2 with 12 teams. The tournament officially begins on Sunday evening with opening ceremonies and pool play games starting at 6:30 p.m.

The 2008 National Champion Gold Coast Hurricanes, of Plantation, Fla., will return to Oklahoma City looking to defend their title after finishing with a perfect 7-0 record last year after defeating the Corona Angels – Tyson, of Corona, Calif., 6-5 in the Championship Game. The Corona Angels are also returning to the tournament.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) announced today the final list of attendees to the 2009 USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Camp, June 8-12, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. These 41 athletes will compete to earn a spot on one of two teams set to compete this summer at four events including the KFC World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City.

On June 15, two rosters will be announced that include the USA Softball Women’s National Team and the USA Softball Women’s Elite Team. The USA Softball Women’s National team will represent the U.S. at the Canada Cup (July 4-12) and the World Cup (July 16-20). The rosters for the Japan Cup (July 31- Aug. 2) and the Pan American Qualifier (July 31- Aug. 9) will be a combination of athletes from the Women’s National team and the Elite team.

Tiffany Huff (Saugus, Calif.), Ashley Brignac (River Ridge, La.) and Neena Bryant (Placentia, Calif.) have withdrawn from the camp due to injury and pending surgery.

The following list of participating athletes is as follows:

Monica Abbott – Salinas, Calif.

Valerie Arioto – Pleasanton, Calif.

K’Lee Arredondo- Tempe, Az.

Brandice Balschmiter – Newark, N.Y.

Chelsea Bramlett – Cordova, Tenn.

Katie Burkhart – San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Courtney Bures -Haymarket, Va.

Stacie Chambers -Glendale, Az.

Ashley Charters-Beaverton, Ore.

Kaitlin Cochran- Yorba Linda, Calif.

Gionna Disalvatore – Palm Harbor, Fl.

Krista Donnenwirth – Mission Viejo, Calif.

Andrea Duran- Selma, Calif.

Jennie Finch- La Mirada, Calif.

Kenzie Fowler – Tucson, Az.

Vicky Galindo – Union City, Calif.

Alissa Haber – Newark, Calif.

Ashley Hansen – Chandler, Az.

Ashley Holcombe – Fayetteville, Ga.

Alicia Hollowell – Suisun, Calif.

Molly Johnson – Tucson, Ariz.

Amanda Kamekona – Chino Hills, Calif.

Megan Langenfeld – Bakersfield, Calif.

Lauren Lappin – Anaheim, Calif.

Brittany Lastrapes – Laguna Niguel, Calif.

Jenae Leles – Fair Oaks, Calif.

Caitlin Lowe – Tustin, Calif.

Sam Marder – Calabasas, Calif.

Stacey Nelson – Los Alamitos, Calif.

Nikki Nemitz – St. Clair Shores, Mich.

Cat Osterman – Houston, Texas

Amber Patton – Forsyth, Ill.

Brittany Rogers – Dacula, Ga.

Melissa Roth – Long Beach, Calif.

Katie Schroeder – Yorba Linda, Calif.

Taylor Schlopy – West Hills, Calif.

Lindsay Schutzler – Monterey, Calif.

Angela Tincher – Eagle Rock, Pa.

Maggie Viefhaus – Pacific, Mo.

Natasha Watley – Irvine, Calif.

Tammy Williams – Roscoe, Mo.

The following coaches were selected by the Women’s National Team Selection Committee from the 14 coaches named to the Women’s National team selection pool to work the Selection Camp.

Head Coach:

Jay Miller (Starkville, Miss. – Head Coach at Mississippi State University)

Assistants:

Suzy Brazney (Buena Park, Calif. – Head Coach at Golden West College)

Chuck D’Arcy (Sacramento, Calif.)

Kate Drohan (Chicago, Ill. – Head Coach at Northwestern University)

Gordon Eakin (Sandy, Utah – Head Coach at Brigham Young University)

Ken Eriksen (Tampa, Fla. – Head Coach at University of South Florida)

Stacy Iveson (Prescott Valley, Ariz. – Head Coach at Yavapai College)

Barbara Jordan (Northridge, Calif. – Head Coach at California State University, Northridge)

Pat Murphy (Northport, Ala. – Head Coach at University of Alabama)

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced today the selection of Washington’s Danielle Lawrie (Langley, British Columbia) as the recipient of the 8th Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. The Pac-10 leader in wins, ERA, strikeouts and shutouts, Washington’s Lawrie is also among the nation’s top three in all four categories.

“First of all I have to say congratulations to both Kaitlin (Cochran) and Stacey (Nelson) on a great season. It very well could have been either of them standing up here instead of me. I have to say thanks to my dad who has been such a great supporter of my career and also to my teammates, as I could not be here without them. They allow me to stand up here and receive this award so I am very grateful to them. Also a thanks to Coach Tarr who has helped me throughout my career to be the player I am.”

“We’ve never had an award like this at Washington for softball. It’s awesome thinking back four or five years ago when I was sitting with Danielle while we were trying to recruit her and how far she has come. I know the belief she has always had in herself and we have always had in her and its neat to see that finally come to fruition. I’m just really proud of her and what she has been able to do for our program. The fact that she has one more full year left is amazing.”

The junior from Langley, British Columbia, is the third pitcher in Pac-10 history with 24+ strikeouts in a game. Lawrie has thrown two no-hitters this season, against UCLA and Arizona to become the first pitcher in NCAA history to no-hit both in a career, let alone a season. She set a school record in the NCAA Regional Championship deciding game against No. 20 UMass, striking out 24 batters in a 6-1, 15-inning win. It was her 25th double-digit strikeout game of the season. She has also had two 18 strikeout games, one in seven innings against Oregon and another in 11 innings against Fresno State and has 18 shutouts, 12 of which have come against ranked teams. Among the team’s she has shutout and their ranking at the time: No. 1 Florida, No. 2 UCLA, No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 Arizona, No. 7 Michigan, No. 8 Georgia and No. 11 Ohio State. Last weekend, Lawrie broke her own school record for strikeouts in a season with 472 and she also set school records for wins in a season with 37 and shutouts with 19.

She has gone over the 1,300 career strikeout mark this season and now has 1,316, fifth in Pac-10 history and 15th in NCAA history. Lawrie has won a Pac-10 record six Pitcher of the Week awards and has also been named the NFCA and USA Softball National Player of the Week. Lawrie had a streak of 64.1 consecutive scoreless innings earlier in the season and 90.0 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. She broke UW’s career strikeout record early in the season and also broke the single-season UW strikeout record.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), is pleased to release its Top Three Finalists for the 2009 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, which will be announced on Tues., May 26 at the NCAA Women’s College World Series Party at the Park at ASA Hall of Fame Complex. The hunt for the Player of the Year started with a Top 50 Watch list and has been narrowed down to three; Arizona State’s Kaitlin Cochran, Washington’s Danielle Lawrie and Florida’s Stacey Nelson.

The bios of the Top Three Finalists are as follows:

Kaitlin Cochran – Arizona State – Senior – Yorba Linda, Calif.

Kaitlin Cochran thus far in this season and throughout her career has led the nation in nearly every offensive category at one point in the season. The Pac-10 Player of Year still holds the nation’s leading on-base percentage and ranks top 10 in batting average, slugging percentage, home runs, home runs per game and is ranked in RBI per game. She has broken every ASU offensive career and single-season record and now continues to climb up the Pac-10 and NCAA record books in hits, doubles, home runs, slugging percentage, on base percentage, walks and intentional walks. Cochran is hitting .424 on the season with 65 runs scored. She has drawn an incredible 59 walks with 59 RBI. In Pac-10 play, she has still hit an impressive .404 with 17 RBI and a slugging percentage of 0.915. Cochran earned the Pac-10 Player of the Week on March 31 as well as earned first-time honors.

Danielle Lawrie – Washington – Junior– Langley, British Columbia

The Pac-10 leader in wins, ERA, strikeouts and shutouts, Lawrie is also among the nation’s top three in all four categories. She has thrown two no-hitters this season, against UCLA and Arizona to become the first pitcher in NCAA history to no-hit both in a career, let alone a season. She set a school record in the NCAA Regional Championship deciding game against No. 20 Umass, striking out 24 batters in a 6-1, 15-inning win. She is the third pitcher in Pac-10 history with 24+ strikeouts in a game. It was her 25th double-digit strikeout game of the season. She has also had two 18 strikeout games, one in seven innings against Oregon and another in 11 innings against Fresno State and has 18 shutouts, 12 of which have come against ranked teams. Among the team’s she has shutout: No. 1 Florida, No. 2 UCLA, No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 Arizona, No. 7 Michigan, No. 8 Georgia and No. 11 Ohio State. Lawrie has 454 strikeouts this season, three shy of breaking her own school record. She has gone over the 1,000 career K mark and the 1,200 career K mark this season and now has 1,298, fifth in Pac-10 history and 15th in NCAA history along with four one-hitters and 10 two-hitters. She has won a Pac-10 record six Pitcher of the Week awards as well as been named the NFCA and USA Softball National Player of the Week. Lawrie had a streak of 64.1 consecutive scoreless innings earlier in the season and 90.0 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. She broke UW’s career strikeout record early in the season and also broke the single-season UW strikeout record. She also broke UW’s single-season shutout record with 18. Her 35 wins are also one shy of the school record.

Stacey Nelson – Florida – Senior – Los Alamitos, Calif.

Senior pitcher Stacey Nelson continues to move up the NCAA record book, as she has tallied 131 wins in her career, seventh-best all time. She is second in Southeastern Conference history, only behind Tennessee’s Monica Abbott (189). This season, her 37-3 (.925) record one of the best in the nation and her ERA (0.43) leads the country. She is the first Gator to tally 1,000 career strikeouts and sits in sixth in the SEC with 1,061. She holds 19 single-season and career pitching records at Florida, including single-season shutouts (19, 2009) and career ERA (0.97). She has pitched two no-hitters in her career, both coming in her senior year against SEC opponents. In 2008, she recorded a career-high 16 strikeouts in a 10-inning contest against Long Beach State. This season, she tallied a season-high 14 Ks in the regional win over Texas A&M in just seven innings. For two years in a row, Nelson has earned the SEC Pitcher of the Year award (2008, 09), first-team All-SEC accolades (2008, 09) and SEC All-Defensive team honors (2008, 09). She was named Pitcher of the Week three times, tying for the most this season.

This award, which is considered the most prestigious honors in Division I women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Past winners of this award include UCLA’s Stacey Nuveman, Florida State’s Jessica Van der Linden, three-time winner Texas pitcher Cat Osterman, Tennessee’s Monica Abbott and Virginia Tech’s Angela Tincher.