WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Kristin Lash.(Edited) June 18, 2004: The USA Softball National Women’s Team and the Stratford Brakettes, America's ASA Fastpitch Softball Champions, Already 6-0 on their new season, will play a doubleheader on Saturday, July 17, 2004 at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field; 1000 Main Street, Stratford. Preceding the 6:00 p.m. game, attendees and fans will have the opportunity to meet with the USA Olympic Team during an autograph session beginning at 4:00 p.m. The event is being sponsored by: Hudson United Bank, Town of Stratford, Stratford Chamber of Commerce, Stratford Softball Tournaments, Inc., and the Connecticut Amateur Softball Association.
was selected by the Amateur Softball Association to host Team USA on their 22-city “Aiming for Athens” tour. With the only other East Coast stop being North Carolina, the July 17 game in Stratford is the best chance for local, regional and tri-state residents to see the Olympians just days before traveling to compete in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Tickets range from $9 for seniors and youth to $12 for adults. Reservations for the July 17 doubleheader can be made through Stratford Softball Tournaments, Inc. at (203) 385-4052 or online at www.townofstratford/softball.com. Souvenir items including polo shirts, t-shirts, caps and program booklets will be available during the doubleheader and parking for the event is free in several surrounding lots.
The doubleheader marks the second time Stratford has been selected to host Team USA in a pre-Olympic Tour; the Brakettes and a women’s national team faced the Olympians in 2000 at DeLuca Field with 5,000 fans turning out for the two-day tournament, which was televised on ESPN2.
The 2004 Women’s National Team roster, consisting of former Brakettes Lisa Fernandez, Lori Harrigan, Kelly Kretschman and Cat Osterman, also boasts four two-time Olympic gold medalists and six of the 15-member 2000 Olympic Team. Thirteen of the 17 members of the 2002 World Championship gold medal winning team remain intact.
Stratford Softball Tournaments Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to secure and organize softball events for the Town of Stratford. SSTI has been successful in organizing and hosting four Women’s National Tournaments with 2004 marking the second year they have hosted an Olympic team. For more information, contact Patricia Patusky at 203.385.4052, Kristin Lash at 203.335.3800 or visit SSTI online at: www.townofstratford/softball.com.
