Monica Abbott to retire from Japanese professional softball league after 2022 season

Monica Abbott to retire from Japanese professional softball league after 2022 season
05/10/2022
The veteran left-handed pitcher announced that the 2022 season will be her last dance in the JD League.

Two-time Olympic silver medallist and four-time World Champion Monica Abbott announced that 2022 will be her last season in the JD League, the Japanese professional softball league, after 14 years playing for Toyota Red Terriers.

Abbott built an impressive career in the Japanese pro softball, leading the Red Terriers to six league titles (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018) while winning four MVP awards in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2018.

“The 2022 season, will be my final year playing softball in Japan for the Toyota Red Terriers,” Abbott posted on her Instagram account. “For me, this is a celebration of the end of a beautiful story.” 

Abbott’s post was commented by some of the best players in the world that shared a diamond with her, like Haylie McCleney, Cat Osterman, Erika Piancastelli, Natasha Watley, Dallas Escobedo, Janie Reed, Ellen Roberts and Veronika Peckova.

Born in Salinas, California, Abbot has received many accolades in her glittering career. She won a silver medal at the Beijing 2008 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and tossed a five-inning perfect game against the Netherlands in Beijing. She was named into the Tokyo 2020 All-Olympic Team. 

In the US, she won five National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) titles and four MVP awards; and holds multiple individual records in college softball.