FASTPITCH NEWS NUGGETS...

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL turns hopes to fastpitch softball for promotional opportunities and even a prospect plucked from Downunder fields...

MATREALE IS THE NEWEST PHILLIES BALLGIRL. A fastpitch softball pitcher for the Rider University Broncs (Lawrenceville, New Jersey), Rachel Matreale has led the Division I team in ERA (3.25), complete games (26), shutouts (3) innnings pitched (170) and Ks (120). Now she will become an ambassador for the Philadelphia Phillies on radio/TV shows and a multitude of community events. She also will play 10 softball games for charity. “I’m excited to paint the town red and be a part of the game and the community service we get to do,” she said. Full story at http://www.nj.com/gloucester county/index.ssf/2012/01/williamstown_native_selected_a.html

MLB PICKS UP SOFTBALL PLAYER? Yes, Major League Baseball, specifically the Baltimore Orioles, have signed Pita Rona, a 17-year-old FASTPITCH SOFTBALL player out of New Zealand. "We see an athlete who will be able to make the transition fairly rapidly and fairly successfully," said Oriole scout David Stockstill. Pita is projected to join the Orioles in 2013 spring training. Pita is a young man. Young women next?? Full story at  http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-tap-new-zealand-for-17yearold-prospect-20120118,0,4026874.story

See YouTube video of Pita Rona slamming a fastpitch home run at http://youtu.be/2KE3miFwmmQ