WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR. (EDITED) UPDATED WITH PIX February 17, 2005, 1 P.M. E.S.T.: If the excitement WPCNR encountered among fastpitch fans when we told them about Natasha Watley's signing with the National Pro Fastpitch Champions, is any indication, the NY-NJ Juggernaut, the champs are on their way. Natasha Watley may do for the NPF what Joe Namath did for the American Football League forty years ago: bring the fans out, embarrass the prejudiced big time media who will not and do not cover the professional softball league -- just as they ignored the AFL in the 1960s.
Natasha Watley loves New York: "I am very excited to continue my softball career with the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut. Coming off such a high at the Olympics, I'm glad that there is an opportunity to expand the sport of softball on a professional level and hopefully make the country more aware of what this sport has to offer. I hope to open the doors to the future generations of fastpitch athletes, providing them with the professional venue that I am fortunate enough to have.” Photo, Courtesy, NY-NJ Juggernaut
Whackin' Watley, WPCNR's instant nickname for the power-hitting peskiest lead-off hitter ever who goes to first in an eyelash, and hits with power drove international teams crazy in the Olympics.
Now she'll be showcasing how the world's fastest ball is played. She is the fourth big time free agent ballplayer to choose New York to play for in 2005. The others: Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carl Pavano and Randy Johnson. The Juggernaut released Ms. Watley's first reactions yesterday to coming to New York. NY-NJ Juggernaut General Manger and Coach Julie Smith has scored a coup in bringing perhaps the most spectacular Olympic Star to play in the Big Apple.
Julie Smith, 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, General Manager and Head Coach of the 2005 Juggernaut squad, is very excited to have Watley leading the infield. "We are thrilled to have such a phenomenal athlete and woman added to our roster. What she brings to the team with her Olympic Gold Medal experience, as well as her outstanding collegiate career at UCLA, will only raise the level of play of her teammates. The Juggernaut has begun a tradition of winning championships and Natasha epitomizes the world champion." Photo, Courtesy, Nick Leto.
"Most importantly, what attracted me the most about Natasha is her modest demeanor and respect for the game, as well as her uncanny ability to dictate the direction of any given game. When Natasha gets on base, she will score. When a ball is hit in the vicinity of her position, she will get to it and make the out. She is any coach’s dream player and I expect great things from her.”
Watley feels this same utmost respect for manager Smith and is anticipating the start of the 2005 season. "Getting the chance to play for Julie Smith is incredible. She is truly a pioneer of the sport, having played on the 1996 Olympic team, and I am extremely excited to hear her insights on the game. I am thrilled to start training alongside her and to bring back another NPF Championship to the Juggernaut organization."
Brings Olympic Cache to the Juggernaut.
Watley helped lead USA Softball’s Dream Team to a 9-0 record at the 2004 Olympic Games in
Athens, Greece, as the team outscored its competition 51-1 en route to clinching its third consecutive Olympic gold medal.
USA National Team coach, Mike Candrea, who had the pleasure of coaching Watley at the 2004 Olympic Games, is very excited and expects great things from Natasha in the NPF. “If Natasha was a man, she would be making millions of dollars playing her sport, she’s just that good. She has all the tools; the short game, great power at the plate, excellent speed, and I think she’s the best shortstop in the world. She is going to bring great excitement to the New York metropolitan area. I think her best softball is ahead of her, and that’s a scary thought for all of her opponents.”
The former four-time first team All-American shortstop from UCLA, arguably the best leadoff hitter in the game, will bring great depth to the Juggernaut roster. WPCNR expects her to anchor the infield at short, team with the dirtiest (uniform) player in the league at second, Carri Leto and Jaclyn Pasquerella at third. With Watley leading off and Leto batting second the Juggernaut should always have two on for Alicia Smith and Ryan Realmuto to drive in.
UCLA Coach supportive.
Her collegiate coach, Sue Enquist, is very enthusiastic for Natasha’s rookie year in the fast pitch big leagues. Enquist congratulated the Juggernaut Wednesday and gave her thoughts on the newly acquired Watley.
“In my opinion they have acquired one of the most exciting players in the game of fastpitch softball. Natasha can do it all. She plays solid defense. She is exciting on the base paths. She has a short game and a power game offensively. But most importantly, she is a team player and a great role model."
Watley by the Books.
Watley’s accolades as a collegiate athlete and a USA National Team member are extremely impressive. In her senior year, the UCLA captain was crowned the Honda Award Winner for Top Collegiate Female Athlete, as well as the PAC-10 Player of the Year award. Watley’s name is also listed quite frequently in the all-time NCAA record books. In her four year campaign as a starter for the Bruins, she finished top three in career hits (395), top five in career runs (252), top ten in career batting average (.450) and top ten in career stolen bases (158). Watley is also listed seventh on the all-time NCAA record books with 121 hits in a single season (as a junior in 2002).
Watley is currently finishing her last semester at UCLA and will graduate in April with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in African American Studies. Her future goal is a career in sports broadcasting.
Juggernaut to Announce Home Field Shortly.
The Juggernaut are still in negotiations with various facilities and will announce a home field in the near future. For more information on the NY/NJ franchise of NPF, please call 212-907-6561 or visit the Juggernaut online at www.nynjjuggernaut.com. The Juggernaut anticipate their games with the Chicago Bandits to be broadcast on Radio Disney in New York, and are considering extensive advertising on New York rado, a departure from last year. They are currently doing clinics about the metropolitan area.
THE ROSTER GROWS: Jody Cox, Peaches James Anchor Rotation.
Watley is the first "killer move" of the new team owner to rebuild the champions, decimated by loss of seven playerS . Watley is expected to anchor the infield at short with champ Carrie Leto at second, and Jaclyn Pasquerella at third. The team is expected to announce a home field shortly.
JODIE COX: Sunbird Southpaw Comes East with Peaces James. Photo, Courtesy, Nick Leto
Cox Swings to the windup... Photo, Courtesy, Nick Leto.
Around comes the arm andthe pitch. Photo, Courtesy by Nick Leto
Catcher with Pop: Ryan Realmuto. Takes Over Catching Duties for the Juggernaut. Photo, WPCNR Sports.
THE KID FROM KATONAH COMES BACK: Alicia Smith, former Katonah fastpitch star, fleet, rangy, freckle-faced flychaser returns to the diamonds of the U.S.A. with the Juggernaut. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
The team is expected to have a pitching rotation at this time, featuring the second best pitcher in the league last year, Peaches James, formerly of the Texas Thunder, and Jodie Cox, the hardluck pitcher of the California Sunbirds. Kim Ogee and Alicia Smith are looked at as possible outfielders, Ryan Realmuto (Peaches' battering batterymate in Texas) will catch.
The Juggernaut have drafted college players Heather Scaglione, Catcher from the University of Oklahoma; Jessica Sallinger, Pitcher, of Georgia Tech; Kaleo Eldgrige, outfielder with Cal Berkley, and shortstop Chelsea Spencer, also of Cal Berkley.
Old WPCNR buddy, Jen Carlo, the Juggernaut Assistant General Manager reports: We are doing clinics, training sessions and camps – all over NJ and starting to hit up Long Island too. Let me know if you have any big softball contacts in Westchester that may be interested!
