USA Softball celebrates 20th anniversary of Olympic Softball

NEW ORLEANS, LA (USA) — On Saturday, 10 Dec., softball fans had the unique opportunity to see their favorite USA Softball Olympic alumnus take the field in a slow-pitch exhibition game against the Louisville Slugger Warriors Team. Held in conjunction with the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Convention, the game was the first of its kind to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Olympic softball while celebrating softball’s return to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The game brought together USA Olympians for softball from all four Olympics – 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008.

Competing in Saturday evening’s festive game for Team USA was:

• Monica Abbott (2008);
• Laura Berg (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008);
• Jennifer Brundage (2000);
• Crystl Bustos (2000, 2004, 2008);
• Lisa Fernandez (1996, 2000, 2004);
• Jennie Finch (2004, 2008);
• Amanda Freed (2004);
• Danielle Henderson (2000);
• Lovieanne Jung (2004, 2008);
• Kelly Kretschman (2004, 2008);
• Lauren Lappin (2008);
• Jennifer McFalls (2000);
• Stacey Nuveman (2000, 2004, 2008);
• Leah O’Brien-Amico (1996, 2000, 2004);
• Dot Richardson (1996, 2000);
• Michele Smith (1996, 2000);
• Jenny Topping (2004);
• Michelle Venturella (2000); and
• Natasha Watley (2004, 2008).

Olympic coaches Mike Candrea (2004, 2008) and John Rittman (2004, 2008) were also present.

The game also welcomed the Louisville Slugger Wounded Warriors, a team composed of injured veterans and active duty military personnel. The Warriors team is comprised of soldiers with physical wounds and are aided by modern prosthetic technology, while others have invisible wounds, including PTSD. The team included:

• Carlo Adame (US Army);
• Leonard Anderson (US Air Force);
• Richard Burley (US Air Force);
• Brett Cleveland (US Air Force);
• Christopher Ferrell (US Air Force);
• Lonnie Gaudet (US Army);
• Matthew Kinsey (US Army);
• Ryan McIntosh (US Army);
• John Mitchell (US Army);
• Todd Reed (US Army);
• Tucker Rutherford (US Army); and
• Derrick Victor (US Air Force).

The Wounded Warriors staff included Gary LaFon (US Air Force), Joshua Wiggs (US Air Force), Chad Agustin (US Army), David Van Sleet (US Army), Kate Abney, and Dennis Turner.

Girls from the New Orleans Urban Youth Academy were named the honorary bat girls for the game.