The USSSA Pride would like to announce that four players from the 2010 defending NPF national championship team have signed to play overseas in the Japan Softball Association. Out of the five, Natasha Watley has been playing the longest in the JSA. Watley will be returning to Japan for her fourth time looking to help defend her national title for Toyota.
Former Texas longhorns Cat Osterman and Megan Willis will be joining the Toyota ‘Shokki’ team this season.
“Cat and I have been battery mates for over 5 years and we are both excited to take our show on the road! It will be very exciting to play with one another in a completely new environment against players who have never faced Cat. Cat and I work so well together, but the hitters are different over in Japan, which is really going to force us to look outside the box and try some new things. I can only see this opportunity as one for growth for both her and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve,” Willis said.
Another fresh face to the JSA will be Lauren Lappin, she will be shipping off to play for Team Honda in the city of Moki.
“I am so excited and fortunate to have the opportunity to play the sport I love in such a new and unique environment. Living in Japan and playing with Team Honda will present new challenges and, I am sure, facilitate my growth as a player and person. Not to mention, I will be in mid season form at the beginning of the NPF season and ready to defend our 2010 Championship,” Lappin said.
About USSSA Florida Pride:
The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.
About NPF:
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.
About USSSA:
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!