Written by Rob McCurdy, Mansfield News Journal
ASHLAND — Ken Eriksen was an elite fastpitch softball catcher in the 1980s and early 1990s, so he knew what to expect when he came back to Ashland this week.
“It’s a great fastpitch town with tremendous support in the community for the men’s game that was here for years and years and years, and obviously with the local university the women’s game gets a lot of support,” he said.
The head coach for USA Softball Women’s National Team returned to Brookside Park with 33 of the best players accompanying him. Ashland was the site of the national team’s tryout camp.
“The three days have been really good,” said Amateur Softball Association Ohio State Commissioner Warren Jones, one of the organizers of the training camp. “The girls have enjoyed themselves. The people of Ashland have opened up their arms, and they’re really happy to be here. We’ve had a lot of favorable comments from all the young ladies.”
The team and its support staff were honored with a private reception Saturday night. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were spent at Brookside West and the main diamond doing drills and scrimmaging.
“They can’t believe the hospitality they’re getting here and how friendly the people in Ashland are. It’s something they’re really not used to,” said Jones, who lives in Ashland.
Twelve spots were already determined which meant 21 players were vying for five spots on the national roster with the rest forming the elite team that will play with them this summer. The teams will be announced today.
The two teams will return to Ashland on Monday for an exhibition doubleheader at 6 p.m. at Brookside Park. The stadium holds 3,000 and Jones said he’s sold less than 500 tickets so far with most of those going to out-of-state fans.
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