Softball: Continuing A Legacy

In every sport, there is that one position that has to be filled by a true leader. Luckily for USA Softball, there is more than one, but one that is a rising star, among the group.

For Jennie Ritter, softball has been a lifelong process. The former 2005 NCAA National Champion, first-team All-American and All-Big Ten team pitcher, has earned many accolades through the years including: holding the single season strikeout record at Michigan with 417 in 2005, making the NCAA Regional All Tournament team in 2004, and being a Three-time all region selection in 99, 01, and 02, while in high school. When asked who were among her top players, Ritter said, “Caitlin Lowe (AZ), Monica Abbott (TN), Jelly Selden (UCLA), and Samantha Findley (MI).”

Ritter’s softball legacy is one that continues today as part of the 2006-2007 USA Softball Women’s National Training Team. The squad, which includes notable names such as Finch, Osterman, Fernandez, Lowe, Mendoza, Bustos, Abbott and Jung among others, is entering the start of preparation for the Pan American Game tryouts. “The 2006-2007 training roster is loaded with talent. Each of these women are here for a specific reason,” Ritter said. “The Pan American Games are in July, which gives us until May to come here to Tucson two weeks of every month and show the coaches why we should be here.”

In June, USA Softball will travel north of the border for Canada’s Cup, which takes place from June 28-July 8. “Playing in the Canada Cup is a great experience, and one that I am looking very forward to doing again.” Many athletes have grabbed the chance to wear the red, white, and blue, and for Ritter it is no different, “I remember in 2005, after winning the NCAA National Title with the Wolverines, I had a chance to put on the USA jersey. When I held the jersey for the first time, it was a great feeling to know that I earned the chance to play for my country.”

Besides being part of the US Training Team, Ritter spends a lot of time giving back to communities, as part of the PFX Tour, which is comprised of approximately 30 girls who are split into two teams and play a tournament as part of the tour. “Being part of the tour is great. We have the chance to reach out to girls by holding different clinics and I really enjoy spending time teaching them the skills and tricks of this game that I’ve learned. Being able to reach out to these girls is the reason I love the tour.” The PFX Tour and others like it are taking steps to try and lift softball in America as well.

“Softball is a hard sport to get people to really consider as popular, because in most people’s eyes, it has two things against it. People compare it to baseball, and it’s a women’s sport.” Ritter went on to say, “I do believe, however, that it became bigger once we won the World Series, which is my greatest memory of playing, since we had finally gotten there and that meant a great amount of opportunities would follow for the members of our team. In order for this game to grow, we need more big wins in big games.”

In July of 2005, the International Olympic Committee decided that softball as well as baseball would be out of the Olympics in 2012, but could return in 2016. “I remember being at the Canada Cup and finding out about the IOC’s decision; the thought came into my head that I’d have to do everything I could between then and 2008 to earn a spot and play in Beijing, because it could be then or never.” Ritter also commented saying, “There is no guarantee that anyone from the training team, including myself, will make it to Beijing. It is going to take a whole lot of work and effort on my part.”

With the World Cup being the only time that most people will be able to see the biggest names in the sport of softball, everyone should make it out to Oklahoma City.

USA Women’s National Team Schedule

June 11-15: Pan American Selection Camp
June 28-July 8: Canada Cup
July 12: World Cup of Softball III (Oklahoma, City, OK)
July 17-30: Pan American Games: (Rio de Janerio, BZL)
Sept. 10-14: Olympic Team Selection Camp
Oct. China Camp
Nov. 12-19: Japan Cup

For more information on Jennie Ritter visit Official Site: Jennie Ritter

For more information on USA Softball visit Official Site: USA Softball