Force's Ashley Smith profiled by littleleague.org
July 12, 2008 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Philadelphia Force News Release
Williamsport, Pa. - The journey "From Little League to the Big League" of Philadelphia Force catcher Ashley Smith was recently profiled by the Little League organization on their website www.littleleague.org. In a piece written by Joel Welser, it tells the story of Smith and her softball beginnings in Portage, Michigan.
Smith, who began playing softball at the age of eight, recalls the days of playing catch in her yard with her father, and dreaming of being a pitcher like her older sister, Kristalyn. But because of her strong arm, and the ability to throw to second base at a young age, she was transferred to the position of catcher.
"At every level she has played, Ashley Smith has been on softball's biggest stages. At the age of 13, she won the Senior League Softball World Series, in high school her team won three straight state championships, in college she competed in the NCAA Tournament and now she plays at the top level of professional softball, the National Pro Fastpitch League," writes Welser.
A University of South Carolina graduate with a grade point average of 4.0, Smith talks of the influence that Little League had on her and her career. She feels she is an ambassador for the sport, and continues to teach young girls the game of softball whether it is helping her sister's high school team or conducting camps put on by the Force.
The three-year NPF veteran was a Michigan all-state prep selection in 2001 and 2002, and a three-time academic All-American.
Smith and her professional team, the Force, are currently on the top of the NPF standings with a record of 17-6. For more information on the Force, please visit www.philadelphiaforce.com.
To read the entire Welser article, click on http://www.littleleague.org/media/AshleySmithStory_08.pdf.
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