DECEMBER 10 UPDATE

Readers:  always check our other website: www.spysoftball.org.

COMMITMENTS

Laura Winter, P, 2010, TNL/San Diego, signed NLI with  Notre Dame

Alexis Casey - Pitcher - Tallahassee Community College - Verbal to Morehead State University

NEW JERSEY BREAKERS GOLD SALVATORE

ALICIA KEOUGH 2011 C/OF/INF  VERBAL UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

Brianna Rios, 2011, P/1st, Bears 18 Gold, Central Catholic High School, Modesto CA, has committed to Santa Clara University

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State softball head coach Lisa Navas announced

the signing of five student-athletes to her program in time for the

2010-11 school year. Kayla Cox, Albernice Drayton, Chelsea Hartsell,

Leah Jones and Chelsea Tate will all join the Wolfpack as true freshmen

next fall.

TEXAS BOMBERS GOLD  -  Verbal Commitments:

Jorden Smith    IF     Iowa State University (2011)

Jade Smith       OF    University of Illinois (2012)

Ohio Lasers White

Dakota Pyles 2011 OF (Grove City, OH/Central Crossing H.S.) has verbally committed to Southern Illinois University

COLLEGE BALL

Girouard Receives NFCA Honor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – LSU softball coach Yvette Giroaurd picked up her 1,200 career victory award Wednesday at the 2009 National Fastpitch Coaches Association [NFCA] Convention. The Hall of Fame coach earned the historic win in a 10-2 triumph over No. 10 Arizona State at the NCAA Tempe Regional last May. The Tigers used a pair of grand slams from Anissa Young and Ashley Langoni in the victory.

Girouard heads into the 2010 season among the career NCAA Division I coaching leaders in wins (No. 4) and winning percentage (No. 5) in addition to being listed among the active NCAA Division I coaching leaders in wins (No. 3) and winning percentage (No. 5). LSU has compiled an impressive 441-137-1 record and is sixth nationally since Girouard took over the program prior to the 2001 season. The Tigers open the 2010 season at the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational where the Tigers square off against North Carolina, DePaul and host Texas, a trio of NCAA Tournament squads from a season ago.

VANDEVER NAMED SOFTBALL TEAM CAPTAIN

NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma senior catcher Lindsey Vandever has been named team captain for the 2010 softball season. Head coach Patty Gasso made the announcement Tuesday morning.

BRITISH NATIONAL SOFTBALL TEAM

During 2001-2004, I was honored to serve as the Head Coach of the British Women's National Team. This past summer, they qualified for the 2010 ISF World Championships, but they receive no public funding since softball has been deleted from the Olympics and it is VERY difficult to raise the type funds that they will need. They have entered a British Airways program and have been shortlisted to possibly receive 16 free flights. They need your help. Please read the item below from Bob Fromer, a man who has truly given his heart to helping this program for many. many years. Then, PLEASE VOTE NOW (contest ends in about a week) and notify others so they can help. These are very deserving people and this could make the difference for them. THANKS for your help.   Bobby Simpson

YOUR ONLINE VOTE CAN HELP THE GREAT BRITAIN WOMEN'S  SOFTBALL TEAM GET TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!
 The Great Britain Women's Fastpitch Softball Team earned a place in the 2010 Softball World Championships by finishing second in European Championships this past summer, the team's highest-ever European placing.

But the team receives no public funding because softball is no longer an Olympic sport. Players and staff had to pay their own way to compete for their country at the European Championships, but the cost of competing in the World Championships, which will probably be held in North America, is beyond what the players and their families can afford. So the team has entered a British Airways contest called “Great Britons”, where the prize could be 16 desperately-needed free flights that can get the players and staff to the World Championships. Now the team has now been shortlisted along with seven other entries, and the winner will be determined by public vote.

So please go online to http://www.greatbritons.ba.com/shortlists and cast your vote for the GB Women's Team entry submitted by first base player MORGAN PARKERSON.

Just click on Morgan's name on the Judges' Shortlist and then hit the VOTE NOW button under Morgan's photo. You'll need to do a quick registration, and then you can vote. And then please get everyone you know and everyone you can reach by way of Facebook, MySpace, Twitter etc to vote as well!

Winning this contest could make all the difference between the GB Women's Softball Team being able to go to the World Championships and having to turn down its place.

Thanks very much for your help!

Bob Fromer
GB Softball Team Manager     

Bobby Simpson   Philippians 4:13 &19
Higher Ground
Mailing: POB 741
Tifton, GA 31793
Shipping: 1002 1/2 N. Central Ave
Tifton, GA 31794
Office: 229-386-9770
Fax: 229-386-9774
bsimpson@friendlycity.net
www.highergroundsoftball.com

ASA partners with Aquafina MLB Pitch, Hit and Run to launch new Girls’ Softball Division Nationally

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. --- The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) and Major League Baseball (MLB) are excited to announce a new Girls’ National Softball Division for the Aquafina MLB Pitch, Hit & Run (PHR) starting in 2010!

“ASA is thrilled to be partnering again this year with Aquafina MLB Pitch, Hit and Run, especially at the National level,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda.  “We have previously had two really strong trial years in the Girls’ division and are excited MLB has activated the girls’ side to the National level.  I strongly encourage all ASA teams, leagues and local associations to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase our sport at the National level, participate and host a local competition.  PHR is very important to continue the growth and promotion of our sport.”

Hosting a free PHR competition provides boys and girls, ages 7-14, the opportunity to showcase their baseball and softball skills.  It also provides a great community event in just two to three hours; minimum of 30 participants per local competition. 

Please visit www.mlb.com/phr today!

The official skills competition of Major League Baseball, PHR is intended to encourage youth participation and emphasize the fun element of baseball and softball. All participants must begin by competing in a local competition, which can be hosted by any organization, league, civic group or set of volunteers in the community. PHR is free of charge to both the participants and the local hosting organization.

The Four levels of competition - Local, Sectional, Team Championship and National Finals

Local: Hosted one day in March, April or early May
Sectional: All Local winners advance to a Sectional in their area
Team Championship: The top scorers are eligible to compete in a Major League Stadium in June
National Finals: The top scores nationwide, from the Team Championships, earn an all-expense paid trip to the MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim, Calif. to compete in the National Finals competition

PHR is a 1-day event that is easy to administrate and can often be completed in only a few hours. The competition can be hosted on a baseball/softball diamond or any open field. Registered hosts will receive an administrative kit with a handbook, promotional posters, registration forms, strike zone banner, award ribbons, and participation baseball cards for all participants and more information required to host the event.

Please take advantage of this great opportunity by signing up now to host a free Local Competition for the boys and girls in your community this spring (March 1 – early May). 

Please visit www.mlb.com/phr for more information and to register online for your free Local Administrator Kit, which contains materials and information required to host.

Space is limited this year, so please register today.

Please visit www.mlb.com/phr today!   For general information, send your name, address, organization and questions to: pitchhitrun@website.mlb.com.