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Japanese Softball Stars Head to Pennsylvania for the 2015 Season

March 26, 2015 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Pennsylvania Rebellion News Release


Yuri Masuyama
Yuri Masuyama
(Washington Wild Things)

Washington,PA-March 26, 2015-The Pennsylvania Rebellion has signed Japanese softball standouts Yuri Masuyama and Haruna Sakamoto for the 2015 season. These are the franchise's first signings from Japan.

"We are beyond thrilled to have Sakamoto and Masuyama join our team in 2015," Rebellion General Manager Steven Zavacky said. "They both are extremely respected players in the Japanese Softball League and we are excited to see their talents and how they can help our team this upcoming season."

Masuyama has competed in the Japanese Softball League (JSL) as a member of Team Denso since 2002. The 4'8'' left-handed hitter splits time between center field and shortstop. Quite versatile, the Japan native has captured three awards for Best Outfielder of the Year (2004, 2011, and 2012) and most recently took home the JSL's Best Shortstop of the Year (in 2013).

Since 2011 with Team Denso, Masuyama has accumulated impressive statistics. She has 274 at-bats, 106 hits, 57 runs, 26 RBI, five home runs, nine doubles, four triples and a .387 batting average along with 42 steals. Last year, she hit .438 and swiped 11 bases. Her 13 base steals in 2013 won her league award for most steals.

Masuyama's talents have taken her all over the world to play softball. In 2014, she debuted in the Australian Softball League for the Starz. Her other international experience includes a three-time tour in the Canada Cup and one-year stints in the 2004 Asian Games in the Philippines and the 2003 Junior Olympics in China.

Sakamoto is no stranger to the National Pro Fastpitch League (NPF) League. The USSSA Pride signed her prior to the start of the 2013 season, and in the same year she and her Pride teammates, were crowned the 2013 NPF Championship. In her only season with USSSA, Sakamoto played in 30 games, scored six runs and drove in four runs. She had a .216 batting average along with three doubles and one triple.

Sakmoto has been playing professionally in Japan for the past eleven years. She won back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012. She spent four years with Team Toda and then transitioned to Team Toyota. Sakamoto has been a member of the Japan national team member since 2009, and was a part of the team that captured the Asia Cup in 2009. She also appeared in the Canada Cup in 2011 and won the World Championships with Japan in 2012.

The Rebellion opens its 2015 season against the Chicago Bandits at CONSOL Energy Park on Friday, May 29th. For more information on season ticket packages and/or general questions, call the team's front office at 724-250-9555 or visit www.pennsylvaniarebellion.com. You can also find the Rebellion on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PARebellion and follow them on Twitter @PARebellion.




Images from this story

Haruna Sakamoto
Haruna Sakamoto
 Yuri Masuyama
Yuri Masuyama
  



National Pro Fastpitch Stories from March 26, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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