Olympic Gold Medallist and USA Softball legend Natasha Watley was named Youth Softball Ambassador for Major League Baseball (MLB). In her new role, she will support MLB’s Baseball & Softball Development group with initiatives and strategies that are designed to grow softball at the amateur and youth levels.
Watley’s appointment is the latest in a string of efforts by MLB to increase softball participation, which was catalyzed by its partnership with USA Softball in 2016. Since then, the two organizations have developed the Softball Breakthrough Series and the Softball Elite Development Invitational, and have operated clinics at MLB Youth Academies throughout the year.
Watley will join Jennie Finch, who was also named an MLB Youth Softball Ambassador in 2017 and has since expanded her role to be the Youth Programs Ambassador.
Watley was an integral member of the Gold Medal-winning U.S. National Team at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the first African-American player to appear for Team USA Softball in the Olympics.
