JANUARY 31 UPDATE
2012 NPF College Draft to air March 7
AKRON, Ohio – National Pro Fastpitch announced final plans today for the 2012 NPF College Draft. The 2012 Draft which is presented by Miken, will take place at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn. on March 7 at 6:00 EST. The Memphis Sports Council is hosting the event in conjunction with the Peabody Hotel.
All four teams of the NPF will take part in the draft. The draft consists of twenty overall athlete selections that are divided into five rounds. Each round consists of four picks.
The first overall pick in the 2012 NPF College Draft belongs to the USSSA Florida Pride, a position that resulted from a mid-season trade in 2011 with the NPF Diamonds. After finishing in second place during the 2011 regular season, the Akron Racers are scheduled to select third in each round of the draft this year.
Can’t make the watch party? The 2012 NPF College Draft can be seen live through the internet broadcast hosted on the League’s website at www.profastpitch.com. The internet broadcast will go on air at 5:45 EST with a preview and introductions, and the draft itself will begin at approximately 6:00 pm EST.
For the past two years, the University of Alabama has garnered the first overall draft choice in the NPF Draft. In 2010, the USSSA Florida Pride chose first baseman Charlotte Morgan of the Crimson Tide and in 2011, the NPF Diamonds made pitcher Kelsi Dunne the number one selection. National Pro Fastpitch has held a Draft every year since its inception in 2004.
Fresno State Softball Picked to Win the WAC
Fresno State voted as the preseason favorite to win the league; Michelle Moses, Andrea Ortega and Brooke Ortiz named to Preseason All-WAC Team
Jan. 31, 2012
DENVER, Colo. – The Fresno State softball team was selected by the coaches in the Western Athletic Conference to win the 2012 WAC regular-season crown, as the league announced the 2012 preseason poll and Preseason All-WAC Teams Tuesday.
This marks the 14th time in the last 17 years that the Bulldogs have been the preseason favorite to win the title.
In addition, the `Dogs landed three players on the 2012 Preseason All-WAC team. Seniors Michelle Moses and Andrea Ortega along with sophomore Brooke Ortiz made the list and Fresno State’s three selections tied with New Mexico State for the second-most in the conference. Hawai’i led the league with four.
“Anytime you are honored by your peers and your opponents before you even start the season is a very positive thing to happen when they have that much respect for you,” head coach Margie Wright said. “What we need to understand is if that’s how they feel about us, then we need to perform at that level and I know that this group is ready to do that.”
Fresno State edged out Hawai’i by two points as the preseason favorite. The Bulldogs collected a league-high three first-place votes and 44 points. New Mexico State, which matched UH with two first-place votes, was close behind in third with 37 points followed by Brigham Young (one first-place vote) in fourth with 35 points.
Nevada was picked to finish fifth with 20 points, followed by San Jose State and Louisiana Tech tied for sixth with 17 points apiece. Utah State rounded out the poll in eighth place with 12 points.
Fresno State is entering its final season in the WAC before moving to the Mountain West Conference in 2013. The Bulldogs have won 10 WAC regular season championships and three WAC Tournament Championships since joining the league in 1993 and the seven seniors on the 2012 roster look to capture another conference crown this year.
“Our goal every year is to win it,” said Wright, the winningest NCAA Division I softball coach. “We want to go out that way.”
Fresno State is the only program in the nation that has qualified for all 30 NCAA Tournaments and it returns 11 letterwinners off its 2011 team that went 35-17 and reached the NCAA Stanford Regional.
“We Are Your Team” – ESPN2 790 AM is your home for Fresno State Softball.
2010 WAC Preseason Poll
Team (first-place votes), Points
1. Fresno State (3), 44
2. Hawai’i (2), 42
3. New Mexico State (2), 37
4. Brigham Young (1), 35
5. Nevada, 20
T6. Louisiana Tech, 17
T6. San Jose State, 17
8. Utah State, 12
2012 Preseason All-WAC Teams
Teresa Conrad (New Mexico State) • Jr. • SS/1B
Carly Duckworth (Brigham Young) • So. • OF
Jessica Dugas (Brigham Young) • Sr. • OF
Jessica Iwata (Hawai`i) • Jr. • SS
Tiare Jennings (New Mexico State) • Sr. • OF
Michelle Moses (Fresno State) • Sr. • P/1B
Andrea Ortega (Fresno State) • Sr. • OF
Stephanie Ricketts (Hawai`i) • Sr. • P
Valerie Swedberg (New Mexico State) • So. • OF
Alex Aguirre (Hawai`i) • Sr. • OF
Janna Frandrup (Louisiana Tech) • Jr. P/2B
Erin Jones (Nevada) • Jr. • 3B
Allison Lenzora (Utah State) • So. • IF
Kelly Majam (Hawai`i) • Jr. • OF
Brooke Ortiz (Fresno State) • So. • 2B
Kassy Uchida (Utah State) • So. • UT
Commitments
Tateum Valentine – 2013 – SS – Hudson Valley Hurricanes (NY) – Lamar University
NO. 9 UT SOFTBALL PICKED SECOND OVERALL IN BOTH THE SEC & EASTERN DIVISION
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 9 Tennessee Lady Vol softball squad received five of 11 possible first-place votes for overall champion and was picked second behind #2/4 Florida in the races for both the Southeastern Conference’s regular season and Eastern Division titles according to the 2012 preseason poll of the league’s 11 softball coaching staffs released on Monday.
With 15 accumulated points the Big Orange trailed the defending Eastern Division champion Gators (14 points) by only a single tally in the divisional ranking, while coming up just a single vote behind UF as the preseason pick for regular-season champion. No. 13/18 Kentucky (32 points), No. 10/12 Georgia (35 points) and South Carolina (48 points) rounded out the five programs in the East. The SEC Eastern Division currently boasts three of the top 12 squads in all of NCAA Division I according to the preseason ESPN.com/USA Softball poll and four of the top 14 in the initial USA Today/NFCA listing.
The two-time defending regular season champion Alabama Crimson Tide (10 points) was the unanimous choice by the coaches to secure the SEC Western Division crown. The gap between No. 3/2 UA and No. 22/20 LSU (19 points) was nine points while Auburn ranked third with 28 tallies. Mississippi State (40 points), Arkansas (46 points) and Ole Miss (54 points) completed the SEC West standings.
Points for the poll were awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5 basis for the Eastern Division and on a 1-2-3-4-5-6 basis for the Western Division. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
Tennessee will begin its 2012 campaign at 4:30 p.m. MT on Thurs., Feb. 9, against UCSB at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. During its stay at the prestigious event, the Big Orange will also face No. 4/3 California, Texas Tech, San Diego State, defending national champion and preseason No. 1 Arizona State and Western Michigan. Live stats will be available through Gametracker and live updates will be posted on Twitter (@LadyVol_Sftball).
2012 Preseason SEC Coaches Poll
Overall Conference Champion: Florida (6), TENNESSEE (5)
Eastern Division:
1. Florida (14 points)
2. TENNESSEE (15 points)
3. Kentucky (32 points)
4. Georgia (35 points)
5. South Carolina (48 points)
Western Division:
1. Alabama (10 points)
2. LSU (19 points)
3. Auburn (28 points)
4. Mississippi State (40 points)
5. Arkansas (46 points)
6. Ole Miss (54 points)
No. 22 LSU Softball Selected Second in SEC West
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The No. 22 LSU softball team was tabbed to finish second in the Southeastern Conference Western Division Monday as chosen by the conference coaches in the league’s annual preseason poll.
Points for the poll were awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5 basis for the Eastern Division and on a 1-2-3-4-5-6 basis for the Western Division. Coaches weren’t allowed to vote for their own team.
The Tigers collected 19 points, nine points behind four-time defending division champion Alabama. Auburn was chosen to finish third with 28 points followed by Mississippi State at 40 points. Rounding out the SEC West was Arkansas and Ole Miss with 46 and 54 points, respectively.
Florida was selected as not only the frontrunner for the SEC East but the overall crown. The Gators tallied six overall championship votes and 14 points, one point and one vote ahead of Tennessee. Predicted to finish third was Kentucky, who checked in 32 points. Georgia totaled 35 points, while South Carolina garnered 48 points to complete the eastern side.
LSU is 11 days away from opening the 2012 campaign and playing host to the Tiger Classic. The Tigers usher in the next chapter of their storied history under first-year coach Beth Torina on February 10 versus Penn State. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. from Tiger Park. LSU also has match-ups slated against No. 15 Michigan and Louisiana Tech on opening weekend.
Fans can follow LSU softball using social media at www.Facebook.com/lsusoftball and @lsu_softball on Twitter. Season tickets can be purchased for $75 at www.LSUtix.net for an impressive home schedule that features 2011 NCAA Tournament participants Florida State, Georgia Tech, Michigan and Penn State along with electrifying SEC series versus Arkansas, Auburn, No. 10 Georgia, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
2012 SEC Softball Preseason Team Announced
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference unveiled its fifth annual Preseason All-SEC team to highlight the upcoming season of SEC softball.
Alabama and Tennessee led all schools with four selections, followed by Florida with three. Auburn and Kentucky had one selection each. Tennessee’s Raven Chavanne, Alabama’s Kayla Braud and Florida’s Brittany Schutte are making their second consecutive appearance to the team.
The Coaches Preseason All-SEC Team consists of a minimum of 12 players. Each SEC head softball coach voted for four infielders, four outfielders, two pitchers, one catcher and one utility/DP player. No ties were broken.
In a class-by-class breakdown, the 2012 team consists of four seniors, five juniors and four sophomores. A complete list of the 2012 SEC Softball Coaches Preseason All-SEC team follows:
Preseason All-SEC Team Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown
Cassie Reilly-Boccia, Alabama IF 5-6 Sr. Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
Cheyenne Coyle, Florida IF 5-6 So. West Hills, Calif.
Raven Chavanne, Tennessee IF 5-8 Jr. Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Lauren Gibson, Tennessee IF 5-6 Jr. Pasadena, Md.
Kayla Braud, Alabama OF 5-6 Jr. Eugene, Ore.
Morgan Estell, Auburn OF 5-6 So. Kimberly, Ala.
Michelle Moultrie, Florida OF 5-4 Sr. Jacksonville, Fla.
Kat Dotson, Tennessee OF 5-9 Jr. Savannah, Ga.
Jaclyn Traina, Alabama P 5-10 So. Naples, Fla.
Ellen Renfroe, Tennessee P 6-0 So. Jackson, Tenn.
Brittany Schutte, Florida C 5-10 Jr. Fountain Valley, Calif.
Amanda Locke, Alabama UTL 5-10 Sr. Mesquite, Texas
Rachel Riley, Kentucky UTL/DP 5-5 Sr. Bowling Green, Ky.
*Ties were not broken
FEBRUARY SCHEDULE
FEBRUARY
9-11 COL Stacy Winsberg Memorial, UCLA
9-12 COL Texas Classic, Austin
9-12 COL Kajikawa Classic, Tempe
9-12 COL Fresno State Kickoff
10-11 COL National Invitational Tournament, Clermont
10-12 COL South Alabama Mardi Gras, Mobile
10-12 COL Sportco Kickoff Classic, Las Vegas
10-12 COL LSU Classic, Baton Rouge
10-12 COL USF Fairfield Inn tournament
10-12 COL Combat Classic, Miami
10-12 COL Mardi Gras Invitational, Mobile
10-12 COL UC Davis tournament
10-12 COL Pirate Classic, Greenville
10-12 COL Hotel Encanto Las Cruces
10-12 COL Kickin Chicken Classic, Conway SC
10-12 COL Southern Miss Coca Cola Classic, Hattiesburg
10-12 COL Hilton Classic, Houston
10-12 COL ULM Mardi Gras tournament. Monroe
10-12 COL ULL Classic, Lafayette
11-12 TVL Surf City Valentine’s Day, Huntington Beach
16-19 COL Louisville Slugger Desert Classic, Las Vegas
17-19 COL FAU Kickoff Classic, Boca Raton
17-19 COL Campbell Cartier, San Diego
17-19 COL Pirate Classic, Greenville
17-19 COL Jacksonville State Invitational
17-19 COL College of Charleston classic
17-19 COL Mardi Gras Classic, Lafayette
17-19 COL SDSU Classic, San Diego-Campbell Cartier
17-19 COL Hillenbrand Invitational, Tucson
17-19 COL SEC/ACC/Big 12 challenge, Auburn
17-19 COL Houston tournament
17-19 COL Texas A&M Tournament
18-19 COL Fresno State Round Robin
18-19 COL DeMarini Classic, Hattiesburg
18-19 COL Houston Hilton Classic
18-20 HS Surf City Presidenr’s Day, Huntington Beach
18-20 COL USF Tournament, Clearwater
23-25 COL Cathedral City Classic, Palm Springs
24-25 COL Texas Shootout, Waco
24-26 COL NFCA Leadoff Classic, Clearwater
24-26 COL Charleston SC Tournament
24-26 COL Bama Bash, Tuscaloosa
24-26 dol Georgia Southern Eagle Classic, Statesboro
24-26 COL Citrus Classic, Orlando
24-26 COL Blues City Classic, Memphis
24-26 COL Southern Mississippi Invitational
24-26 COL Marriott Invitational, Orlando
25-26 COL Strike Out Cancer, Boca Raton
25-26 COL Tiger Invitational, Baton Rouge
25-26 COL Carolina Classic, Chapel Hill
A MORE DETAILED SCHEDULE, SHOWING WHICH TEAMS ARE AT EVERY TOURNAMENT APPEARS ON ULTIMATE COLLEGE SOFTBALL.
Incidentally, SPY shares the agony of UCS, trying to get their entire package online. SPY went through two losses of service in disagreements with former web hosting services. After the last interruption, daughter Allison redesigned the whole SPY service package. Allison is not likely to disrupt the service.
January 24 2012 Update
Pac 12 Pre-season Poll
Returning national champion and No. 1 ranked Arizona State topped the rankings and received six of the nine first-place votes. Returning World Series advancer California and Arizona followed in second and third places, and picked up two and one first-place votes, respectively.
The remaining standings for the nine-team league follow: UCLA (fourth), Stanford (fifth), Washington (sixth), Oregon (seventh), Oregon State (eighth) and Utah (ninth).
Known as the ‘Conference of Champions’, the Pac-12 has been just that in NCAA tournament play and won 23 of the 28 NCAA championships held, including the last five.
1. Arizona State (6) 61
2. California (2) 58
3. Arizona (1) 48
4. UCLA 40
5. Stanford 38
6. Washington 30
7. Oregon 26
8. Oregon State 14
9. Utah 9
NPF REMAINS 4 TEAMS WITH NEW OWNERS
CHARLOTTE, NC – January 24, 2012 – The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League announced today that a new professional women’s fastpitch team, the Carolina Diamonds, has been franchised and will begin play in 2012. The team is based out of Charlotte, North Carolina.
“The League is certainly happy to be making this announcement,” said Cheri Kempf, Commissioner of the National Pro Fastpitch League. “We believe the Carolinas region is a very good area for expansion in the women’s professional fastpitch market for a number of reasons. Primarily, there is an audience there that understands and appreciates the game and has shown their support in the past. We are looking forward to returning the top level of competition the sport has to offer to current and future fastpitch fans in the Carolinas area.”
The Carolina Diamonds will be a woman owned and operated company. Owner, Amelia Nemeth and husband Alan Demaske will be involved with the day to day operations of the new Carolina NPF franchise.
“I am thrilled to be bringing professional softball to the Carolinas,” Nemeth said. “The excitement we hope to generate in the Carolinas is something both avid fans and the casual softball or baseball fans have been looking for. These ladies are fabulous athletes playing at the pinnacle of the game. It’s an honor to associate with the NPF, and have the opportunity to support women’s athletics.”
“As we were researching the possibility of ownership, we experienced the excitement of an NPF game last season. The athletes are superb on the field and inspiring to young girls both on and off the field. Our family is eager to share our NPF experience with families in the Carolinas.” stated Demaske. “There is a very large following in this area and we certainly hope to bring a winning program to the fans.”
The Carolina Diamonds will kick off their franchise as the NPF season opens in June of 2012. The team is slated to play its Home schedule at various venues throughout the Carolinas during its inaugural year of competition. With the franchise agreement, the Carolina Diamonds also obtain rights to the NPF Diamonds player roster. The NPF Diamonds and the Tennessee Diamonds were a league operated team in 2010 and 2011. That inherited Diamonds roster includes former UNC All American and ACC Player and Pitcher of the Year, Danielle Spaulding, and former UNC catcher with ACC honors, and North Carolina native, Brittany McKinney. The new team is currently working on contract renewals with NPF Diamonds players and should release player information soon.
North Carolina has played host to professional fastpitch before with the former Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) League and the Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL) locating teams in both Durham (Durham Dragons) and Gastonia, North Carolina through the seasons of 1997, 1998, and 1999.
“It is really exciting to have an NPF team back in the state of North Carolina! As a coach and a fan of fastpitch softball, I have watched many games when it was the WPF/WPSL and there was a team in Durham and Gastonia. The sport of fastpitch softball has grown in the state of North Carolina and I know there will be a great fan base. What a great opportunity for young developing players and families to come out and enjoy one of the best games there is,” commented Donna Papa, head coach of the UNC Tarheels softball team. “As a bonus, fans will be able to come out and see two players with North Carolina roots competing for the Diamonds, in pitcher Dani Spaulding and catcher Brittany McKinney. Both competed here at UNC and distinguished themselves within the conference and nationally.”
The Carolina Diamonds will replace the NPF Diamonds as the fourth member of National Pro Fastpitch. The League will not operate a team in 2012. “Although the total number of teams will not increase, the strength of the League will grow with four solid franchises in place, commented Kempf. “We are definitely moving in a positive direction.”
NASHVILLE, TN – National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League Commissioner Cheri Kempf announced today the schedule for the upcoming 2012 Season.
Four Teams will compete in the 2012 Season; Akron Racers, Carolina Diamonds, Chicago Bandits, and USSSA Florida Pride. Each team in the league will play a 44-game regular season schedule, with all teams playing 6 home and 6 away series’.
The 2012 season will begin on Thursday, June 7 with the defending 2011 Cowles Cup Championship Series Champions, Chicago Bandits, taking on the defending 2011 Regular Season Ringor Cup Champions, USSSA Florida Pride in an opening weekend home series for Chicago. The recently inked Carolina Diamonds franchise will travel to Akron for an opening weekend against the Akron Racers, who finished second in league standings in 2011. The regular season will conclude on August 19 prior to the NPF Championship Series, which begins on August 23.
“The release of the NPF regular season schedule is much anticipated and always met with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm by NPF fans,” stated NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “The 2012 schedule is well balanced and will provide the home markets of each of our four teams with plenty of action during the course of the season. We are especially looking forward to welcoming a whole new NPF fan base in the Carolinas with the start of the Carolina Diamonds franchise.”
The NPF regular season will see 88 total games of action between the four affiliate teams. All four teams will square off at the Championship Series held this season August 23-26 at the one-year-old Rosemont Stadium. NPF fans will once again be able to catch all the season action through Internet live streaming. Television plans for the season have not yet been announced.
Since its inaugural year of competition in 2004, the NPF regular season title has been dominantly controlled by the Chicago Bandits, as they have come out on top, five of the eight seasons. The Championship Series Title has been a different story however, crowning seven different champions in eight years. The Championship Series has yet to crown a back-to-back winner.
Additional information on each team’s schedule can be found by navigating to www.profastpitch.com or individual team sites.
Additional information on each team’s schedule can be found by navigating to www.profastpitch.com or individual team sites.
Akron Racers – www.akronracers.org
Chicago Bandits – www.chicagobandits.com
USSSA Florida Pride – www.usssapride.com
Carolina Diamonds – www.diamondsnpf.com
ISF NEWS
SENIOR TEAMS CONVERGE ON FLORIDA
Fifty four teams in age categories from 50 to 75 will begin play this Friday in the ISF/International Senior Softball Association Masters/Seniors International Tournament of Champions. Tomorrow night the technical meeting will be held at the ISF world headquarters complex in Plant City. The following three days the facility will host games while others take place at two other softball complexes in Tampa. For more information on the men’s slow pitch event, visit www.seniorsoftball.org.
ISF EC MEETING HELD
The International Softball Federation Executive Committee held two days of meetings last week in Los Angeles, California (USA). The group covered a wide variety of on-and off-field softball business, including a discussion on the continued efforts to get the sport reinstated to the Summer Olympics. In attendance were ISF President Don Porter, ISF Secretary General Ms. Low Beng Choo, ISF 1st Vice President Dale McMann, ISF 2nd Vice President Bob Leveloff, ISF VP/Europe Ami Baran, ISF VP/Oceania Darryl Clout, ISF Director General Toma Malikoff, and Ed Colbert, Counsel.
NFCA Announces Continued Partnership With Capital One Cup
January 24, 2012
STARKVILLE, Miss. – For the second straight year, the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll has been chosen as the official poll of the Capital One Cup. The Capital One Cup uses the final official coaches poll in 39 sports to honor one men’s and one women’s NCAA Division I athletic program for their cumulative on-field performance each year.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with the Capital One Cup to recognize the best in Division I athletics,” said NFCA Executive Director Lacy Lee Baker. “Not only is the Capital One Cup committed to honoring on-field excellence, but the program are also committed to helping fund the education of student-athletes.”
For the second year, winners of the Capital One Cup will receive the prestigious Capital One Cup trophy and will also receive a combined $400,000 in student-athlete scholarships.
Not only does the Capital One Cup recognize the best in Division I athletics, but its principles are guided by a board of some of the most successful broadcasters and student-athletes in NCAA Division I history. Board members include Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American and Arizona player Jenny Finch, ESPN’s Reece Davis, former Ohio State basketball player Clark Kellogg, Heisman Trophy winner and Boston College player Doug Flutie, former USC basketball player Lisa Leslie, former Santa Clara soccer player Brandy Chastain and former Michigan baseball player Barry Larkin.
Standings for the Capital One Cup can be followed throughout the year at www.capitalonecup.com/standings.
COMMITMENT DeMarini Zephyrs Gold
Joselynn Dean 2012 Butler JC
Advice from a Senior Source
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU’VE EVER BEEN,
YET THE YOUNGEST YOU’LL EVER BE,
SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.
Observations On Growing Older
~Your Kids are becoming you…and you don’t like them…but your grandchildren are Perfect!
~Going Out is good.. Coming Home is better!
~You Forget names … But it’s OK because other people forgot they
even knew you!!!
~You realize you’re never going to be really good at anything ….
Especially Golf.
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do,
but you really do care that you don’t care to do them anymore.
~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed.
It’s called “pre-sleep”.
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” Switch..
~You tend to use more 4 letter words ….. “what?”…”when?”… ???
~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it’s not safe to wear it anywhere.
~You notice everything they sell in stores is “sleeveless”?!!!
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody Whispers.
~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet …. 2 of which you will never wear.
But Old is good in some things:
Old songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
Love Ya, “OLD FRIEND!”
Share this with other “Old Friends!” and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!!
It’s Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived !
JANUARY 23 2012 UPDATE
BIG EAST POLL
January 23, 2012
Softball Tabbed Third In BIG EAST Preseason Poll
DePaul voted preseason favorite by league coaches.
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – One of five teams to receive first-place votes in the 2012
BIG EAST Conference preseason coaches’ poll, Notre Dame was picked to finish
third in the league standings as announced Monday by the conference.
DePaul was tabbed the preseason favorite by the league’s coaches as the 2012
poll marks the first time since the current conference formation was set in 2006
that five teams have split the first-place votes.
Notre Dame received three first-place votes on the heels of finishing the 2011
season as the BIG EAST regular-season champion with a 46-11 overall record and a
19-1 mark in conference play. Last season, the Irish led the league in batting
average (.330), slugging percentage (.511), on-base percentage (.397), runs
scored (333), RBI (291) and total bases (742). Head coach Deanna Gumpf and the
2011 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year will have to fill the shoes of five
graduated all-BIG EAST selections, including BIG EAST Player of the Year Heather
Johnson. The Irish will look to pitcher Laura Winter, outfielder Alexa
Maldonado, pitcher and Brittany O’Donnell, who were BIG EAST selections last
season.
DePaul earned three first-place votes and finished second in the 2011
regular-season standings. DePaul returns four all-BIG EAST selections, including
the 2011 Rookie of the Year Kristen Verdun.
Two-time defending tournament champion Syracuse earned four first-place votes to
slide into the poll’s second spot.
This season’s BIG EAST Championship will be held at Notre Dame’s Melissa Cook
Stadium. The league’s top eight teams will advance to the three-day tournament
(May 10-12) with the championship game to be televised May 12 on ESPN2.
--
2012 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Poll
1. DePaul (3)
2. Syracuse (4)
3. Notre Dame (3)
4. Louisville (2)
5. USF (1)
6. Pittsburgh
7. Rutgers
8. Connecticut
9. Providence
10. St. John’s
11. Villanova
12. Georgetown
13. Seton Hall
FRESNO STATE RANKED 22ND IN MAGAZINE POLL
`Dogs Ranked No. 22 in Softball Preview
CollegeSportsMadness.com ranks Fresno State in top 25 of preseason poll and picks the Bulldogs to win the WAC
Jan. 23, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. – CollegeSportsMadness.com recently ranked Fresno State No. 22 in its 2012 preseason poll and four Bulldogs were named to its WAC Preseason All-Conference Team.
In addition, College Sports Madness picked Fresno State as 2012 favorite to win the WAC.
Pitcher/infielder Michelle Moses, infielder Brooke Ortiz and outfielder Andrea Ortega were all named first-team on its preseason all-conference list while right-handed pitcher Mackenzie Oakes garnered a second-team nod.
Other preseason polls expected to be released on Tuesday include the NFCA preseason top 25 poll and the USA Softball preseason poll.
The Bulldogs open the 2012 season with 10-straight home games, beginning on Feb. 9 with the Fresno State Kick-Off tournament.
The release sent to SPY did not contain a full 25 list, but offered these comments:
|
19 |
Look for a bounce back season. A rare tournament absence in 2011, the Wildcats are ready to compete in the Big 10. | |||
|
20 |
Reached program’s 2nd Super Regional. If Cougars can replace Crabtree in circle, UH can compete for CUSA crown. | |||
|
21 |
LSU has a new coaching staff and outstanding pitching. Need offensive improvement to overtake SEC powers. | |||
|
22 |
The only program to qualify for all 30 NCAA Tournaments. High hopes as the Bulldogs expect to win the WAC. | |||
|
23 |
Third in Mountain West in 2011, the Aztecs should benefit from BYU’s move to the WAC. MWC title hopefuls. | |||
|
24 |
One game from a Super Regional, last year’s C-USA regular season champs should battle UH for conference title. | |||
|
25 |
UNC looks to return to the tourney after a rare absence in 2011. Should battle Ga. Tech and FSU for ACC title. |
BANDITS RELEASE THREE
| ROSEMONT, Ill. – Chicago Bandits GM Aaron M. Moore announced today that the Bandits have released the following players: infielders Christine Knauer, Robin Thompson and Stacy May-Johnson. Each player played a key role in the team’s championship season.Knauer was selected by the Bandits in the fourth round of the 2010 Senior Draft out of North Carolina. She spent most of her career at shortstop for the Bandits, batting .161 during the 2011 season with an on-base percentage of .188 and four runs scored.
“Doc is the consummate professional and teammate,” said Moore. “She was always ready to play when her number was called and was a player we could always count on in the community. She really is a great example of what the Bandits are all about. “We wish her the best of luck as she works towards entrance in medical school this summer.” Thompson spent her collegiate career at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. before signing with the Bandits via open tryouts in May of 2011. Spending the majority of the season as a pinch runner for the Bandits, Thompson hit .222 on the season with an on-base percentage of .364 including two stolen bases and five runs scored. “Robin was definitely critical to the team’s success in 2011 after earning a spot on the team at tryouts,” stated Moore. “Speed is such a valuable asset in our game and RT provided that and was a key contributor off the bench. She is going to pursue a career opportunity with the Target Corporation and we wish her the best of luck there.” |
| Photo by Dina Kwit
Coming out of retirement in August of 2011 to rejoin the Bandits, May-Johnson blasted a homerun in her first game back in a Bandits uniform. She finished up the season with a .125 batting average, and an on base-percentage of .364. “We were thrilled when Stacy decided to come out of retirement to help us down the stretch last season,” exclaimed Moore. “Stacy’s work ethic is contagious and her veteran leadership was key down the stretch for us. “The University of Iowa is very lucky to have Stacy in their dugout as a coach. She’s one of the smartest people in the game and the sky really is the limit for her.” For more information about the Chicago Bandits, visit www.chicagobandits.com or call 877-722-6348. |
COMMITMENTS
Wichita Mustangs
Emily Griggs 2014 – University of Florida
Wichita Mustangs
Micaela Whitney 2012 – Iowa
JANUARY 16 2012 UPDATE
ASA HALL OF FAME
National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum/Gift Shop closed for makeover
OKLAHOMA CITY – Renovations to the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum and Gift Shop are underway at the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America headquarters in Oklahoma City. In an effort to upgrade our visitors’ experience, the museum and gift shop will be temporarily closed through the spring with plans to reopen before the 2012 NCAA Women’s College World Series.
Current renovations began in December 2011, and plans include a new entrance for the museum and gift shop, the installation of an elevator in the museum and an expansion to the gift shop that will display umpire clothing and accessories from OfficialGear.com. The remodel will also feature additional Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act accommodations with new bathrooms and front doors to allow easier access for visitors. The redesigned Olympic Room, will feature digital media and text panels that summarize the 1996-2008 Olympic Games.
Since its grand opening in 1973 at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex, the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum has served as the national institution for the study, interpretation and appreciation of the impact of softball on society as well as honoring those individuals who have made contributions to the sport. Two initial renovations added additional square footage at the museum and gift shop, and in 2010, the museum received a face lift which included new carpeting and additional exhibit space in the bottom floor of the building.
During the temporary closure, guests can still experience the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum by taking a virtual tour at ASASoftball.com. Biographies of all National Softball Hall of Fame members are also accessible through the website. To purchase softball merchandise normally sold in the gift shop, visit SoftballOutlet.com.
The public can receive updates and images of the renovation process by visiting the ASA Facebook (www.facebook.com/asausasoftball/) and Twitter pages (twitter.com/asausasoftball/).
SPY hopes the remodeled Museum will feature more displays relating to travel ball, the background of women’s fastpitch. The current museum was woefully neglectful.
The Preview featuring OU, OSU, LSU and Iowa kicks off 2012 ASA Hall of Fame Complex season
ASA PRESS RELEASE – OKLAHOMA CITY — Another year of action kicks off at the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Hall of Fame Complex on Saturday, March 3, in Oklahoma City with The Preview presented by Jersey Mikes college showcase featuring two teams from the 2011 NCAA Women’s College World Series, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The University of Iowa and Louisiana State University are also participating in the four-team showcase.
The Sooners and the Cowgirls will return to the ASA Hall of Fame Complex after a successful 2011 post-season where the two rivals competed for the first time with each other in the Women’s College World Series. The Cowgirls will face off against LSU and Iowa at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectfully, while the Sooners will take the field against LSU at 4 p.m. The final game of the day will feature three 2011 USA Softball Women’s National Team members as OU’s Keilani Ricketts and Jessica Shults take the field against the Hawkeye’s and assistant coach Stacy May-Johnson at 6:30 p.m. The Sooners roster also includes Lauren Chamberlain and Destinee Martinez, who helped lead the 2011 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team to the program’s second-consecutive Gold Medal at the 2011 International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Women’s World Championship in Cape Town, South Africa.
In conjunction with the Preview, the ASA and the Oklahoman will be running a PENCIL DRIVE to benefit North Highland Elementary School in Oklahoma City. Fans are encouraged to bring a new pack of pencils and in exchange they will receive a FREE ASA Complex Souvenir Drink. * Limit one per person.
General admission all-day tickets are on sale now through the ASA for $10. To purchase tickets, call 1-800-654-8337 or visit SoftballOutlet.com. Tickets will also be on sale at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium on March 3.
In addition to Saturday, both OU and OSU will host Iowa and LSU in Norman and Stillwater in match-ups on Friday and Sunday. For tickets and schedule please visit SoonerSports.com and OKState.com.
The Preview is just the start of an exciting line-up of events at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex featuring all levels of the sport, including high school fast pitch and slow pitch, the Jim Thorpe Native American Games, the 2012 Women’s College World Series and the ASA/USA Softball Girls’ GOLD 18-Under Fast Pitch National Championship. The 2012 USA Softball Women’s National Team and Men’s Slow Pitch National Team will also return to the stadium June 28-July 2 for the World Cup of Softball VII and Border Battle IV.
Lisa Carey Added to Sooner Staff
Former three-time All-American at Oklahoma returns in volunteer role.
NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma softball head coach Patty Gasso announced on Thursday the return of former Sooner All-American Lisa Carey who will join the Sooner coaching staff in a volunteer role. Carey returns to Norman after a nine-year stint as head coach at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan.
A three-time All-American at Oklahoma, Carey was instrumental in OU capturing its first ever Women’s College World Series title in 2000. The 2000 Big 12 Player of the Year, Carey was named to the WCWS All-Tournament team as she finished the championship season with a .405 batting average.
“Lisa is without question one of the best athletes to ever come out of this program. As a three-time All-American, she knows how to win,” said Gasso. “She has extensive head coaching experience at Washburn and this is an opportunity to bring in someone who knows the style of the Oklahoma program and its expectations. This move not only benefits the players, but benefits me as well as it gives our staff another set of eyes on the field. I’m looking forward to the head coaching experience she brings to the program and at the same time rejuvenating her love for the game.”
The first ever softball player in the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, Carey was a member of three Big 12 Championship teams. Along with her .405 batting average, Carey led the Big 12 with 90 hits, 20 home runs, 77 RBI, 173 total bases and a .779 slugging percentage as a senior. Following her career at Oklahoma, Carey took her first coaching job at Washburn where she compiled a 256-221 record, the most wins in the program’s history. Carey took the Lady Blues to the NCAA Division II Tournament twice in 2006 and 2008. In nine seasons at the helm of Washburn, she coached 55 Lady Blues to all-MIAA honors, seven all-region team selections, the 2007 MIAA Freshman of the Year, the 2009 MIAA Most Valuable Player, 57 MIAA Academic Honor Roll award winners as well as an ESPN The Magazine Academic all-district selection.
Four-Time All-American Kelsi Dunne Joins Mississippi State Softball
Program
STARKVILLE, Miss. – One of the most decorated pitchers in college
softball history, four-time All-American Kelsi Dunne has joined the
Mississippi State softball program as a volunteer assistant, head coach
Vann Stuedeman announced Wednesday.
“Kelsi commands instant respect in the softball community and we’re
ecstatic that she decided to be a Bulldog and help this team reach
places we’ve never been before,” Stuedeman said. “Her ability to
thoroughly and effectively communicate her knowledge of the game to our
players will prove to be an invaluable asset for our program going
forward.”
The 2010 and 2011 Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year will
assist Stuedeman with the Maroon and White pitching staff. Having
enjoyed an accomplished four-year career under Stuedeman’s direction
at the University of Alabama (2008-11), the right-hander led her school
to three Women’s College World Series appearances. The Port Orange,
Fla., native finished her time in Tuscaloosa as the school’s all-time
strikeout leader (1,219), while also shattering the school record in
career strikeouts per seven innings (9.82) and lowest opponent batting
average (.165).
“To work under Vann and help her current pitching staff is an
opportunity that I’m extremely grateful for,” Dunne said. “I look
forward to using my passion and knowledge of the game to maximize player
development here in Starkville.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree in business management and
administration in December 2010, Dunne was selected first overall in the
2011 National Pro Fastpitch Draft by the NPF Diamonds. Currently, the
newest Bulldog is pursuing her master’s degree in sport management.
NPF NEWS
Patton and T. Williams sign on for 2012 season
| ROSEMONT, Ill. – Chicago Bandits GM Aaron M. Moore announced the re-signing of third baseman, Amber Patton, and shortstop, Tammy Williams for the 2012 season.
Drafted out of DePaul University by the Bandits as the 20th overall selection in the 2009 NPF Senior Draft, Patton has seen time in both the outfield and third base. Patton, who was on the 2009 All-NPF team, finished the 2011 season with 29 hits, a .250 batting average and a .310 on-base percentage. |
| Taken by the Bandits as the 10th overall pick in the same draft class as Patton, Williams made a splash her rookie season, grabbing the honor of both Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
After spending the 2010 season with Team USA and Team Denzo in the Japanese league, Williams came back fired up to be a part of the Bandits in 2011. She finished the season with 21 hits, a .288 batting average and a .409 on-base percentage. COMMITMENTS Alex Flores– 2013 – C/3rd –Oregon Thunder Gold ,Portland State University
Case Batbusters 18 Gold (Bob Wenk) Ambar Hickman 2012-Pitcher-Towson University Emily Strom 2012-CF-Southern Oregon University Brenda Bott 2012-C/3rd-Wagner College Sam Hernandez 2013-OF-Wagner College Lexy Dominguez 2012-C/OF- North Carolina A & T State University
TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY The excellent cast includes the noted British actor John Hurt. Among many other roles, he received international acclaim for “Elephant Man.” I met Hurt at the Carnivore restaurant outside Nairobi in 1986. The Carnivore, which is actually out in the bush, features native game – don’t ask. I was at table with a Major General of the Kenyan army and some US Embassy types. Earlier in the day, we had been discussing cocaine traffic through Kenya, especially the port of Mombasa, but also casual cocaine use by tourists – including a film colony shooting a safari flick in the Serenghetti. American accents carried over to the next table where Hurt was dining with a very attractive young blonde. She asked where I was from; one tidbit led to another, then she and Hurt joined our table. Sparkling conversation about safaris and the legends of Kilimanjaro. While suspecting that Hurt’s film crew was using cocaine, the general and I agreed silently to say nothing. But, the blonde, after staring at me for a few minutes, realized she had seen my photo in the Times,which lay folded on the table next to Hurt, and shouted to Hurt, “He’s some kind of international narc.” She immediately grabbed her purse, and they quickly made their goodbyes and left. |
UPDATE JANUARY 1 2012
MORE SURGERY FOR SPY
During the last two months, I have undergone a series of tests to determine why I have been having progressively more difficulty in walking and maintaining motor balance. A c-scan, brain scan and three MRI’s later, some answers avail.
The brain scan shows some residual damage from the concussion suffered at Boulder five years ago, the damage centered on the nerves stemming down into the neck. This will be treated through massage therapy starting this month. Not sure why this old injury resurfaced but the film is conclusive.
Doctors discovered two herniated discs in the lower spine (lumbar), and surgery will be performed on Tuesday, January 3. Admittedly, the doctors have warned of the high risk of complications for a man my age suffering from diabetes and an incurable blood disease. The principal worry is infection. However, the pain is intolerable.
As always, my daughter Allison will be with me, and daughter Kathryn is nearby. If the scenario darkens, Allison will post a note on SPY.
Can’t estimate recovery time. At least two days in hospital, then it’s a crap shoot. I missed the TNJ Sun Classic at Disney World and the NFCA Convention. I will miss Rising Stars this week but hopefully will attend the Diamond 9 Classic in Buena Vista on January 13. I will monitor email from the hospital.
JANUARY TOURNAMENTS
The fields for Rising Stars in Davie FL, January 5-8 (http://www.triplecrownsports.com/) and the Diamond 9 event in Disney World, January 13-15 (www.teamnjsoftball.com), are posted.
The 3rd Annual JUCO Kickoff Classic & Showcase will be held in Clearwater Florida on January 27-29, 2012. Games start at noon on Friday and end by 1pm on Sunday. We have attached the game schedule to the web site for your review. This year’s tournament will showcase 26 JUCOs from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Illinois! www.signatureshowcases.com
