Lady Spirit host Australian Stars

Monday, July 25, 2005

July 25, 2005 - The Lady Spirit finish the week 5-0 after two exciting victories over the Australian Stars and the East Coast Yankees on Saturday.

For 2005 NAWBL PHOTOS visit  http://www.richardreddy.com/HTML/galleries.html *Lady Spirit photos to be added soon*

AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS JOIN THE NAWBL

The NAWBL continues its efforts to unite female baseball players in this country and also from around the world.  In the first ever women’s baseball exchange program involving the United States and our sisters from down under, the NAWBL proudly welcomes 4 elite Australian baseball players to Lynn, Massachusetts for the summer to play at Fraser Field, one of the finest professional baseball facilities in the northeast.  Christal Fitzgerald, Kerron Lehane, Claire Mckay and Meagan Vidler have traveled from Australia to play in the NAWBL for the summer.  Fitzgerald and McKay have represented their states in national competition, while Lehane and Vidler have represented not only their states but also their country in international play.

Upon the women’s departure from Australia, Darren King, coach of the NSW Star baseball team stated, “It is a dream come true for Australian baseballers to have the opportunity to live and play baseball in the USA, to have an exchange program in place for female ball players will be a real boost for the sport in Australia and hopefully, right around the world.  I am very excited with the fantastic opportunity our girls have been given by the NAWBL.  I am sure Christal, Kerron, Claire and Meagan will be excellent ambassadors for Australian baseball.”

Nick Lopardo, founder and owner of the NAWBL, believes this initial program will only continue to strengthen the modern women’s baseball movement in the United States. 
Lopardo foresees this exchange program increasing awareness of women’s baseball both in the United States and abroad, as well as spawning similar exchange programs with other countries.  With the addition of the Australians, the NAWBL represents 4 countries and 9 states, in addition to fielding inquiries from Japan, the Dominican Republic and South America, to name a few.  Next year, the NAWBL hopes to add players, as well as coaches, from these countries to its rosters to further enhance the league. 

Meanwhile, the NAWBL players are thrilled to engage in a cultural exchange through the medium of the game they all love, BASEBALL! 

Play Ball!

**Stay tuned for more information on the Lady Spirit's 5 game series vs. the Australian Stars at Fraser Field, July 18-24**