U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012

The fans have spoken! Congratulations Gail Devers (track & field), Jean Driscoll (paralympic track & field), Gary Hall, Jr., Lisa Fernandez (softball), Kristine Lilly (soccer), Dan O’Brien, Jenny Thompson (swimming), the 2004 U.S. Olympic Women’s Softball Team, Ed Temple, James Connolly and Ted Stevens. All were recognized today as the USOC and Allstate Insurance unveiled the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012.

The Class of 2012 is the 15th class to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and will bring the total membership to 96 Olympians, five Paralympians, 10 teams, four coaches, 10 veterans, 16 contributors and two Olive Branch award inductees.

“I am completely overwhelmed by this honor,”  said Lisa Fernandez, a three-time Olympic gold medalist. “I never thought that playing the game of softball that I love so much would allow me to reach this level of accomplishment. This is bigger than anything I have dreamed of. What we have been able to achieve as a sport is incredible, and there is no greater honor than being inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.”

HOF Inductee Kristine Lilly

HOF Inductee Gail Devers

HOF Inductee Jenny Thompson

The announcement, bios and videos can be seen here: http://www2.teamusa.org/News/2012/May/13/2012-Olympic-Hall-of-Fame-inductees-announced-May-13-2012.aspx.

College Club Sports: Consider as Valuable Alternative to Varsity Play

Thanks in part to Title IX, opportunities for you to participate in sports as part of your college experience have expanded substantially. Yet when thinking about competing on behalf of your school, you tend to think varsity sports. I’d like to take this opportunity to expand your horizons in case your radar is limited.

Two alternatives deserve consideration, including recreational and club sports. Recreational play is for everyone, no matter what level, and is intra-school; most likely students will be competing in the various sports (basketball, softball, volleyball, etc.) in a fun school league. Friends, fraternity brothers, sorority sisters and dorm floors can create their own teams and register to play.  It is great social fun and a valuable way for you to stay active.

But my real intent here is to focus on Club sports as an alternative for talented athletes who either may not quite be Varsity level or are indeed elite but don’t wish their sport to consume their college experience. Club is ideal for so many reasons.

The best way to introduce and advocate for Club play is to tell you about my recent experience at Club Volleyball Nationals in Kansas City, MO a few weeks back. What a fantastic few days. Hundreds of men’s and women’s teams congregated for the ultimate tournament after a season of local conference play. Dressed in their school uniforms and demonstrating incredible school spirit, these teams went at it with the same intensity and passion as varsity teams. Sure, the great majority of the teams could not compete with Division 1 varsity teams. But does that matter? The level of competition was good from bottom to top, and the top teams – WOW! They were committed and talented beyond belief and fantastic to watch; as fun and stimulating as watching the varsity levels for me and the so many other fans I spoke with.

Let’s look at the perks of club play:

1)   Level of competition can be excellent;

2)   Practices are typically 2 or 3 times per week as opposed to every day;

3)   Conference play does not usually entail travel afar;

4)   More time to hit the books;

5)   More time for the college social life;

6)   Additional time for engaging in other extracurriculars;

7)   Easier on the body since traditionally less rigorous;

8)   Overall, less stressful;

9)   Offers a way to stay physically active in the sport of choice;

10)  Skill improvement is more than likely;

11)   Presents the same chance for team camaraderie;

 

I can go on.

So if you are a student athlete assessing the opportunities in your sport, be realistic and work on finding the best fit. Certainly don’t feel inferior or feel as though you are settling for less if opting for club play. You are in for a great experience.

As always, look forward to your feedback and discussion.

 

Game On! Sports Girl Talk Chats with Pro Pitcher & Olympian Monica Abbott

(2nd in the series)

Game On! Sports Girl Talk had the honor of interviewing Chicago Bandit Monica Abbott. Before getting to the Q&A, here is brief look at Monica’s bio.

Abbott spent her collegiate career at the University of Tennessee (2004-2007) where she set multiple career and NCAA records. She currently holds the NCAA single season records for victories (189), strikeouts (2,440), shutouts (112), appearances (253) and innings pitched (1,488.0). In addition, she was voted the 2007 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, a three-time SEC Pitcher of the Year and the first softball All-American in Tennessee’s history. Abbott finished her stellar collegiate career with 23 no-hitters and 6 perfect games.

Drafted by the Washington Glory in 2007, in her first game in the NPF she struck out 18 batters and pitched a complete game. The Glory eventually went on to win the 2007 Cowles Cup Championship with Abbott being named Playoff MVP.

Prior to joining the Bandits, Abbott spent time with the USSSA Pride and Tennessee Diamonds. Signing with the Bandits as a free agent in February 2011, she enjoyed another successful year. Just one of her many accomplishments included pitching perfect game against the Akron Racers on August 4. While in Sulphur, La. for the 2011 Championship Series she pitched all but four innings, helping the Bandits secure their second NPF Championship. Abbott was awarded 2011 NPF Co-Pitcher of the Year with Cat Osterman of the USSSA Pride for her accomplishments.

Abbott’s favorite food is BBQ Chicken.

And here is the conversation:

Q: When were you first introduced to the sport of softball?

A: I started playing softball because my older sister wanted to play. We started in our local recreation league, tee ball etc.

Q: What made you fall in love with softball as opposed to other activities/sports that you were involved in?

A: I really liked softball because I could make new friends and it was fun. I could cheer, hit and throw. I wasn’t very good at first but as I got a little better it made me like it even more. I kept wanting to get better and better and better….

Q: Growing up, what were some other activities/sports in which you participated that helped shape you as a softball player and an athlete?

A: I played a lot of basketball, I was a Daisy/Girl Scout, YMCA activities, and I also took piano lessons.

Q: Who were some of your role models growing up and why?

A: I really looked up to my parents, but I am super grateful to be able to have witnessed my grandfather’s work ethic. He would build all kinds of things, even rock walls. When things weren’t right, he would continue to work to make them better and he never gave up on a project or a task until it was completed. I’m proud to say that I got a front row seat to observe loyalty, dedication, and perseverance.

Q: What is your favorite thing about getting to play in the NPF?

A: My favorite thing about playing in the NPF is that it is EXCITING softball. The NPF allows an avenue for softball players to be real professional athletes. The best thing is the Athletes almost get to show off a bit, and it’s always exciting. Whether it’s a Megan Wiggins diving catch, an Alisa Goler homerun or Pitching a perfect game. There’s something  “sportscenter-ish” happening every game.

Q: What sort of workout routine do you use to prepare for the season?

A: I’m big on working out and feel that it makes a big difference in my play. I really like challenging cardio (Cycle, Stairs, Hills, Sprinting) and anything that will challenge balance (think bosu ball) and lower body strength (lunges, squats, step ups).

Q: What do you do before a game to either pump yourself up, or mentally prepare?

A: I like to sit and be very calm before I warm up for the game. Once, I put on up my AbbottPro Cleats and step on the field, its game time.  While I tie my cleats, that’s my moment where I tell myself- “Time to Bring IT Monica!”

Q: What are some of your goals for the 2012 season?

A: My goal for the 2012 season is to bring Chicago Bandits a Championship!

Q: What is your favorite memory from your years playing softball?

A: I have a lot, but top two are:

1. Olympic Games- throwing 1^st ever perfect game; Opening Ceremonies

2. Breaking the NCAA Career Strikout Record

Q: Do you have any advice for young girls who dream of playing pro softball someday?

Work on being the best YOU can be! That’s all that matters, and Live for the moment that you can really Bring IT!

If there are additional questions you would like us to ask Abbott, please let us know. Always welcome your feedback.

photo credit: recubejim via photopin cc

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barb Lazarus is the owner and founder of Game On! Sports Camps 4 Girls, multi-week summer sports day and overnight camps just for girls. (www.gameonsportscamp.com) With a mission that includes empowerment through exposure to and development in a multitude of sports, girls of all athletic abilities, grades preschool through 10th, experience hours of pure fun with the opportunity to grow as an athlete and a person.

Barb graduated with a B.A. from the University of Michigan (1982) and a J.D. from Loyola School of Law (1985), after which she served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois, Chicago office. She went on to grow her own thriving media relations business for over 12 years before shedding her corporate clothing to pursue her dream – Game On!  – and the chance to give back to girls sports. Barb is also the author of Game On! Sports Girl Talk, www.gameonsportscamp.com/blog, a blog addressing issues relating to the participation of young girls in sports and fitness, and a proud partner of the Women Talk Sports Network and Pretty Tough Media.

Barb is the proud mother of two, a lifelong athlete, and just plain passionate about sports & fitness for young girls as well as contributing to the fan base of women’s pro and collegiate sports.

 

 

A Pretty Tough Letter from Kayla

Dear Pretty Tough,

This is Kayla Pelletier. My mom and dad wanted me to write you myself and I thought that would be cool so here goes.  Thank goodness for spell check as I’m only 8 years old.

2011 was a huge year for me in sports.  I had quite a tough but very fun schedule. The year started off strong with girls softball and I totally killed it. I don’t know if it’s because of getting better or from getting featured on your site, but I went into the season feeling like a rock star. You’re not going to believe it because I still don’t, but every time I got up to bat I hit a homerun… every time! As much as three times in one game. I think that rocks!

With softball, swimming, martial arts, and quarter midget racing my schedule got a little tight. At first I was adding a lot of new sports but slacked in racing. Hey I was rockin’ softball. I was still mixing it up with the boys which  was cool.

I would go to the batting cages and the boys would watch me hit and ask for pointers. It was awesome. The older boys would be cool, they would challenge me to go into the high school hardball cage and hit. I would tell them if I can hit one ball they need to put a Pretty Tough sticker on their dad’s car. Well, I can hit 7 out of 12 balls…so there are a lot of dads with stickers -  it’s awesome!

Once softball season was all over I could concentrate more on racing. The first 6 races I was good but not winning. A very good friend asked my dad to bring me to the Nationals and he said no. He said this is only my first year and I’m not good enough.  Wow, was I mad!  After our friend and I begged, my dad finally said yes and took me to Pennsylvania. I couldn’t believe it!

The kids that were at the Nationals were sick.  I was so determined to prove my dad wrong that I qualified 12th-  that was crazy!  My dad almost passed out. My first race was in the C Main where all of the factory kids start.  And guess what?  I won!  I moved on to the B Main and on to the A Main, where all the champions are.  I ended up finishing 8th in the nation.  How’s that Dad for my first time?  He cried…..

After that I got better and better. I was traveling and racing with all the big boys.  Now, between having sponsors and feeling famous from Pretty Tough and a national win, I started getting crazy.  I was betting the boys, every boy I beat has to put a Pretty Tough sticker on their car or trailer.  Well, I race my class and they all have stickers now.

I’m now doing indoor kart racing and snowmobile snow cross and with only a few races into it I have not lost yet.  I thought my dad is tough and I know he is but I love to make a grown man cry when I win.

I love what you do and will always live a Pretty Tough lifestyle.  Thank you for letting me rock your banner and stickers.  I know you are busy but I’d like to say Thank You and Hi.

Thank you very much….  I hope I represent you well.

Your friend,

Kayla Pelletier

(Editor’s Note: Kayla just launched her own website www.sickwid.com so check it out and wish her well in all her endeavors)

Game On! Sports Girl Talk Interviews Pro Pitcher Meagan Denny-White

Game On! Sports Girl Talk had the privilege of interviewing Chicago Bandit Meagan Denny-White. Before getting to the Q&A, here is brief look at Meagan’s bio.

 

INTERVIEW SESSION

Q. When were you first introduced to the sport of softball?

-       I was 9 years old when my neighbor asked me if I wanted to be on her team because they did not have enough players.

Q. What made you fall in love with softball as opposed to other activities/sports that you were involved in?

-I was really good. I was always real athletic and good at all the sports, but softball was the one sport that I was the best at. This made me feel good about myself. I wanted to see where it would take me.

Q. Growing up, what were some other activities/sports in which you participated that helped shape you as a softball player and an athlete?

-       I did cross country mainly to stay in shape. I wasn’t a huge asset to the team. I only tried volleyball because the coaches talked me into it. I could not jump, so I didn’t really contribute there. I did basketball also to just stay in shape. I was really tall so I was pretty valuable. I also threw the shot up and discus in track. I was very strong so I was really good at the shot. This kept my arm strong for softball. And believe it or not, I was a cheerleader freshman year.  I’m not going to lie, I mainly did this for the social reasons but it did keep me flexible, which is good for any athlete to be flexible. After my freshman year I just focused on softball.

Q. Who were some of your role models growing up and why?

-       Lisa Fernandez was a big role model for me. I wanted to be the best, just like her. I did everything she did.

Q. What is your favorite thing about getting to play in the NPF?

-       Playing on the professional level is every athletes dream. This is an opportunity that only a few people will get to experience. Traveling, playing the sport you love at the highest level, meeting your teammates who will be your lifelong friends and having the chance to change someone’s life is a wonderful honor and a huge blessing.

Q. What sort of workout routine do you use to prepare for the season?

-       I do some sort of cardio everyday to keep up my endurance. I lift weights 2-3 times a week. I pitch 3-4 days a week and I do yoga periodically to stay flexible and help control my focus.

Q. What do you do before a game to either pump yourself up, or mentally prepare?

-       I love to go through a proper warm up at my own pace which takes about 30 minutes. I don’t like to warm up for too long because it makes me think too much. I like to keep things simple. And I love to listen to any AC/DC song to pump me up. Thunderstruck is my favorite.

Q. What is your favorite memory from your years playing softball?

-       My favorite memory happened just recently. I was a part of the FCA softball All Star team when we played against the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball team in Jan 2012 in a slowpitch game. Taking the field with our heroes was the greatest honor of my career

Q. Do you have any advice for young girls who dream of playing pro softball someday?

-       You have to be willing to work harder than anyone. Make sacrifices that no one else is willing to make. There are a lot of girls who want to play pro. What makes you stand out from all the others? Why should the pro team take you and not another girl who really wants it? Ask yourself these questions and get to work. No Excuses!! Believe in yourself!!

GAME ON! SPORTS GIRL TALK EXTENDS A HUGE THANKS TO MEAGAN AND LOOKS FORWARD TO CHEERING HER AND THE WHOLE BANDITS TEAM ON THIS COMING SEASON.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Barb Lazarus is the owner and founder of Game On! Sports Camps 4 Girls, multi-week summer sports day and overnight camps just for girls. (www.gameonsportscamp.com) With a mission that includes empowerment through exposure to and development in a multitude of sports, girls of all athletic abilities, grades preschool through 10th, experience hours of pure fun with the opportunity to grow as an athlete and a person.

Barb graduated with a B.A. from the University of Michigan (1982) and a J.D. from Loyola School of Law (1985), after which she served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois, Chicago office. She went on to grow her own thriving media relations business for over 12 years before shedding her corporate clothing to pursue her dream – Game On!  – and the chance to give back to girls sports. Barb is also the author of Game On! Sports Girl Talk, www.gameonsportscamp.com/blog, a blog addressing issues relating to the participation of young girls in sports and fitness, and a proud partner of the Women Talk Sports Network and Pretty Tough Media.

Barb is the proud mother of two, a lifelong athlete, and just plain passionate about sports & fitness for young girls as well as contributing to the fan base of women’s pro and collegiate sports.

photo credit: dave_hensley via photopin cc

READERS: SHOULD YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR MEAGAN, LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENT SECTION. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO BRING THEM TO MEAGAN.

Say It With Sports: Holiday Cards (Pre-Season Sale)

Say it with Sports

CATCH THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT 5 x 7 Greeting Card
Inside Message:
Wishing You Peace, Joy & Happiness

TIS THE SEASON (Soccer) 5 x 7 Greeting Card
Inside Message:
The soccer season, the winter season, the holiday season. . . Hope all your seasons are filled with winning moments.

TIS THE SEASON (Basketball) 5 x 7 Greeting Card
Inside Message:
The basketball season, the winter season, the holiday season. . . Hope all your seasons are filled with winning moments.

Preseason Sale: Get a box of 15 cards & envelopes for just $10.95

Pick your sport

Tis the Season Soccer $10.95 Catch The Holiday Spirit (Softball) $10.95 Tis the Season Basketball $10.95 Mixed Box $10.95

A great team fundraiser – contact us sales@prettytough.com for details.

More Pretty Tough Stuff

[Video] Stealing Bases: Why Do You Love Softball?

A montage of softball players including two-time Olympic medalist Jessica Mendoza and Gatorade’s 2011 Softball Player of the Year, Paige McDuffee. The players provide their views on why they love softball. The video celebrates the publication of Pretty Tough’s fourth novel, Stealing Bases.

Tell us what you love most about softball.

Girls and the Little League World Series

The first Little League baseball game was played on June 6, 1939.  The Little League World Series, which kicks off Thursday, August 18th, is now in its 65th year. Up to 45,000 fans can pack the stadium for the championship game and a million more watch it live on television.

The Little League Baseball World Series is just one of eight championship tournaments played each year. The Little League Softball World Series, for example, plays it’s title game this afternoon.  Texas’ Midway All-Stars (SW regional champs) will defend their title against an Illinois team (Central regional champs)  in Portland, Oregon.  The game will be broadcast on espn2.

This is actually  the 37th year since girls were first allowed by rule to play Little League Baseball in 1974 (although the
first girl to actually play Little League did so in 1950 in Corning, N.Y. – Kathryn “Tubby” Johnson). Through 2010, 15 girls have played in the Little League Baseball World Series.

The first, Victoria Roche, was in 1984. She played for a team that represented Brussels (Belgium) Little League.

The 2004 Little League Baseball World Series marked the first time that two girls played in the same World Series.

The other girls who have participated in the Series are: Victory Brucker, Eastview Little League, San Pedro, Calif., 1989; Kelly Craig, Trail Little League, Trail, British Columbia, Canada, 1990; Giselle Hardy, Arabian American Little League, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 1991; Krissy Wendell, Brooklyn Center (Minn.) American League, 1994; Sayaka Tsushima, Kashima Little League, Osaka, Japan, 1998; Alicia Hunoly, Ramstein Little League, Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, 1999; Tatiana Maltseva, Khovrino Little League, Moscow, Russia, 2001; Sanoe Aina, Waipio Little League, Waipahu, Hawaii, 2002; Merced Flores, Central Little League, Agana, Guam, 2003; Meghan Sims, Owensboro (Ky.) Southern Little League, 2004; and Alexandra Bellini, East Nepean Little League, Ottawa, Canada, 2004; Brelle Meno, Southern Guam Little League, Yona, Guam, 2008; Katie Reyes, Hastings Community Little League, Vancouver, British Columbia; and Bryn Stonehouse, Arabian American Little League, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 2009.Two women have coached a team in the Little League Baseball World Series: KathyBarnard, Lynn Valley Little League, North Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1993; andBarbara Zuelli, Emilia (Italy) Little League,2008.

There have also been a number of female who have officiated at the Little League Baseball World Series: Betty Speziale (Dunkirk, N.Y., 1989) was the first woman to umpire in the Little League Baseball World Series. Flora Stansberry (Seneca, Mo., 2001) was the first woman to umpire behind the plate in the Little League Baseball World Series Championship Game. Lo Mei Yan (Hong Kong, 2006) was behind the plate for the 60th Little League Baseball World Series Championship Game.

Congrats to all – and hopefully the list will grow in the future.

 

 

U.S. wins fifth straight World Cup of Softball title

There were 16 rookies on the National Team roster and the players proved that they could be as competitive as their predecessors.

Taylor Hoagland hit a two-run home run, Valerie Arioto and Megan Langenfeld had run-scoring singles and the United States beat rival Japan, 6-4, Monday night at Oklahoma City to win its fifth straight World Cup of Softball championship.

Pitcher Jordan Taylor (Valencia, Calif.) retired the first eight batters she faced and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, never letting the Americans fall behind after they grabbed a 2-0 lead without needing a hit in the first inning.

The U.S. got even for a 7-0 loss in the title game of the Canada Cup this month in the latest match-up between the sport’s two powerhouses.

The Americans won the first three Olympic gold medals and have won the last seven world championships, but Japan holds the gold medal from the 2008 Olympics.

Despite it’s popularity, softball is no longer part of the Olympic program but there is a movement underway to bring the game back for the 2016 games.

Up next the team will travel to their respective schools and training bases before rejoining in October to represent the Red, White and Blue at the Pan American Games, Oct. 17-23, in Guadalajara, Mexico. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is looking for a seventh consecutive Pan American Games Gold Medal and 10th overall.

Meet Paige McDuffee: 2011′s Ms. Softball USA

Pretty Tough interviews Paige McDuffee, the 2011 ESPN RISE Ms. Softball USA , the 2011 Gatorade Softball Player of the Year, and a 2011 Gatorade Athlete of the Year nominee.

Pretty Awesome:

Name: Paige McDuffee
Sport: Softball
Position: Pitcher
High School: The Woodlands (Woodlands, Texas)
Year: Junior

2010-11 Athletic Resume:
• Compiling a 37-1 record, led the The Woodlands (44-1) to Class 5A state title and to the nation’s No. 1 ranking in final 2010 ESPN RISE FAB 50 poll
• Batted .415 with a 1.014 OPS and drove in 42 runs in 123 at-bats
• Pitched 21 shutouts and a no-hitter in recording a 0.97 earned run average, a 0.694 WHIP and 244 strikeouts (walking just 28) while holding opponents to a .157 batting average in 216 innings
• Went 12-1 in the circle during postseason run to the state title, battling a partially detached muscle in her left forearm and a left ring-finger injury.
• 2011 ESPN RISE Ms. Softball USA Finalist
• 2011 MaxPreps National Player of the Year Finalist
• Became 16th non-senior to win a national Gatorade honors in any sport—the second in the sport of softball, joining two-time national winner and Arizona native Kenzie Fowler (2007-09), a sophomore two-time All-American with the Wildcats.
• 2011 Class 5A State Tournament MVP
• 2011 All-State, District 14-5A MVP
• 2011 Houston Chronicle All-Greater Houston Pitcher of the Year
• Verbally committed to play softball on scholarship at UCLA beginning in the fall of 2012.
• 2009 Dallas Morning News All-Area selection

2010-11 Academic Resume:
• 3.37 GPA
• 2010-11 Academic All-District

Community Service/Extracurricular Activities:
• Volunteered in association with the Lena pope Home for at-risk youth
• Participated in The Woodlands High School Adopt-a-Family program for local needy families • Member of Crossroads Church Youth Group
• Volunteered at Cook Children’s Hospital
• Volunteered in association with the Apple Tree Home Care at senior care events, 2008-09
• Served as a counselor for summer and winter for The Woodlands High softball camps
• Volunteer pitching instructor for area youth league players
• Member of National Junior Honor Society
• Student Council member at Mansfield High, 2008-09
• Special Olympics volunteer

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