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We continue our list of the Top 15 Softball Stories of 2019, which will run through December 31st when we’ll present our No. 1 story of the year.
Here is yesterday’s feature (clink on link to read):
We’ve surveyed the softball community and talked internally as well to come up with what were the most impactful and relevant stories of the year pertaining to the world of fastpitch softball.
Where applicable, we are providing links to the original articles and/or references when the story first happened.
Today’s story… #14: the USA Softball Women’s National Team (“WNT”) will be touring the nation in early 2020 to get exposure for the team, reps for the players in advance of the Tokyo Olympic Games and, equally important, promoting the message of “unity aimed to inspire communities to stand beside HER – the members of the WNT, America and the future generation of female athletes.”
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It’s a brilliant approach, especially from a marketing perspective: send the 2020 Women’s Softball Olympic Team across the country playing exhibitions against local college teams, all-star squads and even against itself.
In addition to what’s already been announced, there has been over 30 tour stops and it’s expected this year to be the same number.
Not only does the team get to bond, build chemistry and ramp up leading to the Olympic competition that starts July 22, 2020 in Tokyo and concludes with the Gold Medal Game on July 28, it is a way to build the sport, one game and one city at a time.
Last August, USA Softball announced the nationwide tour – which is currently at 27 stops in 15 states and seemingly growing every day – and instead of releasing the entire list all at once have done press releases one at a time spelling out the details of when, where and how to watch the 2020 Olympic Team.
From early February through late June, the Stand Beside Her tour will allow the next generation of softball players to see in person the best in the game today including all-world pitchers such as Monica Abbott and two-time NCAA Div. I National Player of the Year Rachel Garcia.
It’s also, in a sad way, a farewell tour—at least for now—to softball in the Olympics as the 2024 Paris Games won’t have softball or baseball and nothing beyond that has been decided. Certainly, many of the older players on the team likely won’t still playing for the next round of Olympics (2028, Los Angeles) if it does get voted back in.
In essence, this is a throwback to the old barnstorming days when teams would travel the country playing local and regional competition, though in this case, it’s THE best team in the world taking its brand and product to the public.
Just today, a new series of games was announced in Texas and more will likely be added.
It’s a great way to promote the sport under the umbrella of the “Stand Beside Her” brand while seeing the #1 team in the world. A win-win for all…
Below is the latest tour schedule along with a map of where the venues are located:
2020 Stand Beside Her Tour (as of 12/18/19)
And below is the article we ran last fall that launched the tour to beat all tours…
USA Softball Announces “Stand Beside Her” Tour Leading Up to 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Originally published August 24, 2019 on Extra Inning Softball
USA Softball has announced the “Stand Beside Her” tour, a series of competitions and training opportunities for the 2020 USA Softball Women’s National Team (WNT) as it prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
According to a release issued Friday by the softball governing body, the “Stand Beside Her” message encourages fans everywhere to stand united in their support of the WNT and the United States in their journey to the Olympic Games.
“I love that the title of our tour will be embodying unity – something that is so important to me as both a player and a person,” said 2019 WNT member Janie Reed.
“One thing that is so unique about our team is that although we have to essentially ‘compete against each other’ each year at tryouts, one of our core values is to stand beside one another in all that we do. We cheer for each other, we celebrate one another, and we’d be there for each other on or off the field no matter what.”
The “Stand Beside Her” tour evokes a powerful message of unity aimed to inspire communities to stand beside HER – the members of the WNT, America and the future generation of female athletes.
“The message ‘Stand Beside Her’ isn’t just about our team,” Reed continued. “It’s about us standing beside the girl that wants to be where we are one day, it’s about men pledging to stand beside women in full support, it’s about standing beside the United States of America.”
“The title is so much more than a catchy phrase and we are so much more than softball players, so I think it’s perfectly fitting.”
With the return of softball to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games program, the “Stand Beside Her” tour provides much-needed training and competition for the 2020 WNT in their preparation for the Olympic Games while also giving fans a chance to watch the Red, White and Blue in person.
Olympic competition will start July 22, 2020 with the Gold Medal Game being played on July 28.
“How more appropriate is it than to have a tour themed ‘Stand Beside Her’ for the women that represent the United States of America and for what our flag stands for on and off the softball field,” said WNT and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Head Coach, Ken Eriksen.
“This tour provides not only the softball community’s opportunity to stand beside our team and the flag for all it represents during the Olympic tour, but also for the rest of the country to be able to re-familiarize themselves with our great sport.”
“This venture will prepare our team, Team USA, for the opportunity to regain the Olympic Gold Medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The schedule will include not just exhibition games against some of the top collegiate programs in the country, along with some potential games against pro teams, but will also include sections of the spring to train as a team in great environments.”
“I look forward to seeing the patriotism and support the soon-to-be Olympic athletes deserve.”
The complete schedule for the “Stand Beside Her” tour, including dates and locations, will be announced at a later date.