PITCHING IS NAME OF THE GAME AS BRAKETTES ADD HENDERSON AND CLARK FOR 2002 SEASON
Who was it that said, "you can never have enough pitching!" Of course, it was Stratford Brakettes Manager John Stratton.
With five of last year's six pitchers, all of whom won at least four games, returning, Stratton has added two more upper-echelon pitchers to the roster as the Brakettes prepare for their 56th season of play. Brakettes fans will be happy to know that one of the additions is a crowd favorite in 2000 Olympian Danielle Henderson. Also joining the club is highly-touted Kaci Clark, a four-year veteran of the Women's Professional Softball League.
They will be joined on the staff by 2001 standout Leslie Malerich (24-4, 0.22 ERA), the Florida State University All-America; 2001 Scholastic Player of the Year Cat Osterman (4-1, 0.00), now the ace of the University of Texas staff; fifth-year veterans Jen Smith (14-2, 0.35) and Alicia Smith (6-1, 0.16); and fourth-year Brakette Robyn King (5-0, 0.00).
"With an 80-plus game schedule, we will need plenty of arms," said Stratton. "Cat is a member of the U.S. National Team and her availability will be determined by that schedule. Danielle is also trying out for the team and Leslie may be spending part of the summer with the Italian National team. Come tournament time, however, we'll have everyone. We may need a bigger dugout."
While the Women's Major ASA tournament returns to Stratford's Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field in August, there will be plenty of softball action on tap for the area fans, starting with the opening weekend May 31-June 2. In the Friday night opening doubleheader at 6:30 p.m., the Brakettes will take on the New England Collegiate All-stars before they battle league rivals Allentown, PA, Pates and Danbury Debs on June 1 and 2, respectively.
Henderson compiled a 48-7 record with the Brakettes from 1997-99. She had a career-high 406 strikeouts in 1997. Clark was the WPSL Pitcher of the Year in 1998 and 1999. In 1999, she was chosen the league's MVP and she is the career leader in wins, strikeouts and shutouts. She is a UCLA grad.
SIX TEAMS TO COMPETE IN NORTHEAST LEAGUE
The Northeast Seaboard Women's Fastpitch League enters its fifth season of operation. Six teams will participate in the league, led by the defending four-time champion Stratford Brakettes. Joining the Brakettes will be the Connecticut Classics, Allentown, PA, Pates, Adirondack, NY, Ice, Hamden Eclipse and newcomer Danbury Debs. Also, at the recent NSWFL winter meetings, Ed Wojcicki of Gansevoort, NY, was elected president of the league. Wojcicki, a Stratford native, is general manager of the Adirondack Ice. Bob Baird, General Manager and Coach of the Stratford Brakettes, was elected secretary-treasurer.
During the 2002 season teams will play home and away doubleheaders for a total of 20 league games. The Classics are the host for the league tournament at DeLuca Field.
The Brakettes beat the Ice 2-0 in last year's final. Leslie Malerich was the winning pitcher.
Germaine Fairchild, in her second year with the Brakettes, captured the 2001 batting title with an average of.361. She had a team-high 86 hits, 18 doubles, eight triples, five home runs, 54 RBI, 49 runs scored and 75 games played. "She had a monster year," said Manager John Stratton of Fairchiid who played first base, second base, left and right field in addition to catching. . .Fairchild and catcher Keri McCallum were first-team ASA All-America selections last year in Phoenix. Pitcher Cat Osterman and utility player Sara Jewett made the second team with pitcher Leslie Malerich and first baseman Martha Covington third-team AA's. . .In the Connecticut Classics' march to last year's 23-and-Under ASA title, the team compiled a 5-0 record and dominated the tournament awards. First baseman Victoria Lamb, third baseman Mandy Simjian, shortstop Jessica Yanosy, and pitchers Megan Biddle and Jennifer Hadley were All-America choices. Simjian was chosen the Most Valuable Player, while she also won the batting title at .533. Lamb won the home run title with three. . .Simjian was chosen the team MVP with Kristine Botto of UMass-Lowell the team's Offensive Player of the Year and Seton Hall's Lisa Pepin the Defensive Player of the Year.
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STRATFORD BRAKETTES OFFER FANS OPPORTUNITY FOR SOFTBALL VACATION
Another ambitious softball schedule awaits the 2002 edition of the Stratford Brakettes, who have called the town home since 1947. Beginning with opening weekend May 31-June 2, the Brakettes will play an 80-plus game schedule. With the Women's Major ASA Championship tournament making its fourth appearance at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field since 1993, the Brakettes have planned a seven-day, 10-game Midwest bus trip to Illinois and Ohio.
For the first time in years, the Brakettes are offering their fans an opportunity to enjoy a softball vacation with the team. "We will be selling a limited number of seats for the July 28-August 3 trip," said General Manager/Coach Bob Baird. Interested fans should contact the Brakettes office (203) 378-7262 for travel plans and costs. On the trip the Brakettes will meet four teams who participated in last year's National Tournament in Phoenix - the Bloomington Lady Hearts, Pekin Lettes, East Peoria Avanti's and Celina, OH, Suns.
Also on tap this season are appearances in the Topton, PA, July 4th tournament and Bob Caravan Tournament in Allentown, PA. DeLuca Field will be the site of the Northeast Seaboard Women's Fastpitch League tournament, Aug. 9-11.
Connecticut Classics Are Co-Hosts for Women's Major Championships
The Connecticut Classics, who are sponsored by the Stratford Brakettes organization, will not defend their ASA 23-and Under National title this summer. Instead of traveling to Midland, MI, to defend, Manager Jerry Katona's club will serve as co-host of the Women's Major Championships at DeLuca Field, August 16-21. Had the Classics decided to travel to Midland, several members of last year's 23 and-Under championship team would be unable to participate because they are too old!
Welcome Back Ralph, Barb and Jen
Three former Brakettes mainstays will be on the opposing sidelines this season. The most notable is two-time USA Olympic manager Ralph Raymond, who guided the Brakettes for 29 years through the end of the 1994 season. Raymond will be coaching the first-year Worcester, MA, Hawks, who visit town June 29. . .Hall of Fame pitcher Barbara Reinalda (1976-1994) will be managing the Stratford Breakers, who play here June 26, while pitcher Jen Huyett (1996-2000) guides the Stratford Seahawks into town June 9.
BRAKETTES SOFTBALL CLINICS
The Stratford Brakettes will conduct six softball clinics from June 26-July 16 at DeLuca Field. John Stratton is the Clinic Director while the members of the team and staff will be working at them. The clinics are for girls age 10 through high school seniors. There are two identical Beginning Pitching sessions (June 26-27) and (July 1-2); Catching (July 3); Advanced Pitching (July 8-9); Offense/Hitting (July 11-12) and Defense/Fielding (July 15-16). Except for catching, all sessions are two days from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Do You Know the Answer?
Three members of the 2002 Stratford Brakettes have pitched against the Brakettes since the 1995 season. Can you name them and the teams they played for?
(Answer in next issue of Braking News)
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