Professional Women's Softball
Bask in the Glory of National Champs
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Sports pop quiz: Which professional Washington area sports team is defending a national title?
Nats? Ha. Wizards? Don't think so. Caps? Nope. Redskins? Well, you get the point. Still stumped? The answer is the Washington Glory.
The Glory is the area's professional women's fast-pitch softball team, and in its first season last summer, the team beat the Rockford Thunder to win the Cowles Cup. After that showing, two players, pitcher Monica Abbott and center fielder Kelly Kretschman, were chosen to help the U.S. national team defend its three gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Beijing.
During a recent home game at Westfield High School in Chantilly (a temporary field for the season while George Mason University's softball field is under construction), the stands were crowded mostly with screeching tweens in softball jerseys. Parents and coaches recognize that girls should have good role models, and here are 20 of them.
Lindsey Packard, a catcher for Loudoun County High School, came with her father. She hopes to one day play in the league, founded in 1997. (Washington didn't have a team until last year.)
"[When I was younger] you could only play in Japan," Lindsey said, referring to premier pro leagues in that country that would attract American players. She comes now to see the best in the game and to pick up skills "without having to fail to learn."
The intimate crowd gets many of the amenities found at major sporting events. There is a well-stocked snack bar, and throughout the game Gloria, the team's mascot, walks through the stands and hands out prizes.
Plus, because of a smaller outfield, spectators are treated to more home runs. The night that Lindsey attended, the Glory won with a three-run home run. There weren't fireworks like at Nationals games, but that's okay. These women don't need frills. They have a trophy that proves their talent.
-- Amy Orndorff
Where do they play? At Westfield Sports Complex, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly.
When is their next game? The team began a two-week homestand yesterday against Team Venezuela. They will face off today, tomorrow and Sunday at 7:05 p.m.
What does it cost? Reserved seating: $12, seniors and children $10. General admission: $10, seniors and children $8.
