USA’s left-handed pitcher Monica Abbott, one of the most iconic figures in softball history with a decorated career on the international stage and professional softball leagues around the world, has retired from the game after a 20-year career. She made the announcement through a video posted on her Instagram account.
“For 20 years, I have lived the dream, playing Softball at the highest levels and representing my country,” she posted. “But the day has come where I know that I can do more for the game I love off the field than on. It’s been the most incredible journey.”
Born in Santa Cruz, California, Abbott made her international debut in 2002 with the USA Junior National Team, winning a silver medal at the World Cup 2003. Across her two stints with the senior national team (2002-2010, 2018-2022), she won two Olympic silver medals (2008, 2020), four WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup gold medals (2006, 2010, 2018, 2022) and two Pan American Games gold medals (2007, 2019).
Owner of a unique pitching motion, Abbott has impacted the game in so many ways. “When I started and I was pitching, I had this signature motion and movements that kind of helped me become the athlete I am today...but it’s really cool to see how it’s helped the game evolve and how people pitch off the mound and how they use their body to become a good athlete at the softball arena.”
Abbott had an incredible career as a professional softball player, both in the US and Japan. In the US, she won five National Pro Fastpitch titles and five MVP awards, while signing a $1million contract in 2016, becoming the first woman in US team sports to sign for that value. In Japan, she played 14 years for Toyota Red Terriers, leading the team to six league titles (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018) while winning five MVP awards in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2018.
One of the biggest softball stars in recent years, Abbott’s impact in the development and growth of the sport will last forever. "Playing internationally, being a part of the international game, both with the WBSC and then also at professional leagues, as you spread knowledge throughout it’s a trickle effect,” said Abbott during an interview at The World Games 2022, where she helped USA repeat as world champions in her last appearance with her national team jersey.
“I’ve always said that softball needs to be in the Olympics. As a women’s sport, high pace, fast energy, big rivalries and great story lines… softball belongs in the Olympic Games.”
Monica Abbott talking about softball's possible Olympic return at LA28.
A two-time Olympian, Abbott boasts a 6-0 record on the Olympic stage with 63 combined strikeouts – starring as a rookie at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before returning as a veteran at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. During a press conference last year in Japan, she was asked about softball’s possible comeback to the Olympic programme in the Los Angeles 2028 Games and Abbott was straight to the point: “I’ve always said that softball needs to be in the Olympics. As a women’s sport, high pace, fast energy, big rivalries and great story lines… softball belongs in the Olympic Games.”
The 37-year old Olympian will remain working for softball development, just from a different side. “I’m not sure what’s next for me, but I do know that it will be softball related,” she said.
Last year, Abbott was elected as WBSC Women’s Softball Athlete Representative, becoming a member of the WBSC Executive Board, the decision-making body of the international governing body for baseball and softball.
