Monica Abbott Retiring from Japanese Pro League

Softball legend Monica Abbott is retiring from one part of her professional career, announcing the end of her 14-year playing career in Japan.

Abbott is one of the longest-tenured Americans to play in the Japanese professional league, spending nearly a decade and a half suiting up for the Toyota Red Terriers club.

In a statement published and disseminated via her email newsletter, Abbott said, ” I am announcing that after 14 years professionally in Japan and 16 years professionally world wide I have decided that I am going to mark this as the end of a chapter overseas. Although, I have loved competing for Toyota, in the best professional league in the world, it’s time for me to take a step back.”

The 2022 season will mark Abbott’s last in a Toyota uniform; according to the newsletter announcement, there are currently four league games remaining in league play, which will be followed by playoffs and the Diamond Series Finals.

A two-time Olympian, Abbott remains part of the Team USA program; she led the US in the circle during the 2022 World Games in Birmingham.