WPCNR PRESS BOX From Jen Carlo, NY-NJ Juggernaut. (Edited). January 20, 2004: League officials have announced new ownership for the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut franchise of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). John Schmitz of Long Island, NY has officially purchased the ball club, and will resume front office team operations in midtown Manhattan.
NEW YORK'S ONLY WORLD CHAMPION RETOOLS FOR DEFENSE OF TITLE: The National Pro Fastpitch World Champions, August, 2004, Firestone Stadium, Akron. Ohio. The team will be different this year as Olympic Champion Julie Smith rebuilds the Champions. Photo, Courtesy Nick Leto
In just their second year of operating as the NPF, the nation's only women's professional fastpitch softball league, individual team owners have assumed complete ownership of the league from its original investors, the Cowles family. Heading the management of the league is Chicago Bandits owner and new NPF president, Bill Conroy.
The Juggernaut were one of six inaugural teams in the NPF, who captured the Cowles Cup after defeating New England in the championship game of theplayoffs last year in Akron, Ohio. The Juggernaut played their 2004 season on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ, finishing the regular season with a 39-21 record.
Julie Smith, 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, has been appointed the General Manager and Head Coach of the 2005 squad. Smith, the two-time first team All-American from Fresno State University and a native of Glendora, California, will oversee all business and fastpitch operations for the franchise, bringing a vast knowledge of fastpitch to the restructured Juggernaut. Smith, a former WPSL All-Star, is excited to once again join the ranks of professional softball, but this time from the other side of the baseline. The veteran fastpitch star of the past, coach of Team Smith that toured the U.S. two years ago, said, in a statement:
"I am proud to be a part of the World Champion Juggernaut. Our goal is not only to field the best team, but to serve our community by promoting a healthy lifestyle for girls and women participating in sports. In this day and age, professional sports need great role models that extend past the core fundamentals of the game. The Juggernaut, and in fact the entire NPF, have just that; successful college graduates who want to give back to their community." Jennifer Carlo, former director of media relations for the 2004 Juggernaut, will serve as the Assistant General Manager for the club, working on a broadcast deal for the 2005 season and managing corporate sponsorship.
Flamethrower Jodie Cox, Ogee, Hofstra and Brakette legend, Alicia Smith join Lightning Leto and the Spiderwoman.
The Juggernaut have announced the signing of two members from the 2004 squad, that was decimated when the league released the roster from their contracts in September.
The Spiderwoman Back at the Hot Corner. Jaclyn Pasquerella. Photo by WPCNR Sports
Third baseman and Long Island native, Jaclyn Pasquerella, known to teammates as "The Spiderwoman" for her third sacker reaction time and second baseman and El Cajon, California native, Carri "Lightning" Leto, the best leadoff hitter in the league and feard clutch hitter have been signed.
Lightning Leto at the keystone sack. Photo, Courtesy NY-NJ Juggernaut.
Pasquerella and Leto, both 2004 NPF All-Stars, played an integral part in leading the Juggernaut
to their first world championship. Leto, a 2004 Northwestern graduate, recently completed the USA Softball National Camp tryout and is very eager to wear her pinstripes and defend the NPF crown.
Leto said, "I am thrilled to be playing for the Juggernaut again this season. It will be a great opportunity to start a legacy as a franchise and as a team. I look forward to playing under Julie Smith, as I respect her a lot as a former player. Our fan base was great last season and hopefully it will continue to explode into 2005!"
Alicia Smith, August, 2004, interviewed by WPCNR after Nauts final home game. Photo by WPCNR Sports
Other athletes joining the squad include former Hofstra University All-American, seasoned Stratford Brakette outfielder and heavy hitter Alicia Smith, whose bat could replace Kellie Wilkerson's power contribution, and two former NPF California Sunbirds, Kim Ogee and the league's dominating hardluck blonde southpaw, Jodie Cox. Ogee, an All-American outfielder from the University of Nebraska, was twice named the Cornhuskers Offensive Player of the Year and served as the team captain in 2003.
Cox, a dominant left-handed pitcher, graduated from Cal-State Fullerton in 2003 and currently serves as the assistant coach at Syracuse University. As a senior Titan, Cox was selected a third-team All-American and Big West Co-Pitcher of the Year. Cox is a workhorse fillie who pitched a ton of innings for the Sunbirds last year who simply did not hit for her. She had some memorable duels with Juggernaut Amanda Scott.
Cox won 7 and lost 23 for the Sunbirds in 04, throwing 188 innings with an ERA of 2.80, with 18 complete games.In her 188 frames she fanned 152 and walked 118 and allowed 159 hits.
Ogee hit .150for the Birds on 23 for 153 with 17 walks and an OBA of .240.
The Juggernaut plan to release the 2005 schedule, complete roster and ticket information by the end of the month. The team website, just as last year is www.nynjjuggernaut.com. Contact the team at 1-212-907-6561 in their new headquarters in New York's Chrysler Building.
