USA Softball announces 2009 USA Softball Athletes of the Year
(Photo: Jennie Finch, courtesy of Softballnewsla.com)
(Photo: Matt Palazzo, courtesy of USA Softball)
(photo by Maddy Flanagan); Tip ‘o the cap to Matt Christiansen for submitting the link
Editor’s note: We invite our readers to find a better photo of Matt for posting here, at the galleries at Maddy’s photos. Email us the link, by sending to: jim (at) fastpitchwest.com. Oh, and if you find any better ones of Jennie Finch, you can send those too 🙂
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) and USA Softball are pleased to announce that Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.) and Matt Palazzo (Des Moines, Iowa) were named the USA Softball Female and Male Athlete of the year, respectively, for their accomplishments during the 2009 season.
Finch saw time as both a pitcher and at first base on defense and made an impact at the plate on offense. Finch’s hits in the Championship Game of both the Japan Cup and Canada Cup secured the USA victory. She was voted the Japan Cup MVP after she not only threw a one-hitter to defending Olympic Gold Medalist Japan but also drove in the only two runs scored, with a double, to help lead the team to a 2-0 victory. In the Championship game of the Canada Cup with two outs left in the seventh, Finch hit a walk-off single that would push a run across the plate and give the United States a 3-2 victory.
Offensively, Finch was in the Top five in all three events in batting average with a summer average of .447. Her best event was at the World Cup of Softball where Finch hit .500 with a home run and three runs scored. During the summer of 2009, she made an appearance in all 18 games with 17 starts with three home runs and 17 hits. As a pitcher, she was 5-0 with a 0.54 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Finch allowed only two earned runs in 26.0 innings pitched.
“I am completely honored all the way around to not only play for our great country but also to be recognized out of a group of extremely talented athletes. I am surrounded by amazing women and feel blessed to be a part of USA Softball,” said Finch. “I feel privileged to still have the opportunity to play the game I love at this stage in my life. Just to wear USA across my chest is a great honor and I am grateful for the opportunities I continue to have.”
Palazzo helped lead the USA Softball Men’s National team to a fourth-place finish at the ISF Men’s World Championships in Saskatoon, Canada, with a 7-3 record. He led the team with a .444 average (12-for-27) and was the only player to record more than one home run with four homers. At the plate, he contributed 11 RBI, scoring nine runs. He was near perfect on defense, making only one error.
“This summer was amazing to be able to compete among great International opponents at the World Championships. Seeing the different cultures, styles of play and at such a high level is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. To wear red, white and blue and represent your country is such an amazing thing and I can’t wait to get out there and compete again,” said Palazzo who admitted he was smiling away after he heard the news. “I am very shocked and pleased to earn this honor. I worked extremely hard last year and thought I had a great year but didn’t expect this. Just to be in the same category as an athlete like Jennie Finch is an honor in itself.”
Editor’s note: Our Spanish-speaking readers can find the Spanish version of the above article at www.softballnewsla.com, by clicking here. . Great excuse to post her photo, eh? …as if one was necessary.
Read more about Matt Palazzo after the jump.
From Matt’s bio page at the USA Softball website.
Accomplishments
Did You Know?
It’s Everyday
2008
Played on USA team that competed in the Tri-Nations tournament in Canada
2007
Selected to the USA Softball Men’s National Team for the first time
Finished second with the USA Softball Men’s National Team at the ISF Men’s World Cup in Prague – hit .286, scored five runs and drove in two RBI
2006
Played for Florida Fastpitch, runner-up in ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship – batted .364 (8-for-22) with seven RBIs and three home runs
Named ASA second-team All-America at second base
2005
Led Team Iowa to a fourth place finish at the ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championships in Altamonte Springs, FL
Named ASA second-team All-America at shortstop
Did You Know?
• Good luck charms – One of his daughter’s toys (little pony) in his ball bag
• Late Night Snack – Protein shake
• Favorite vacation spot – Disney World
• Hobbies – Basketball, golf and bowling
• Quote to live by- “Treat others as you wish to be treated”
• Advice to young athletes – Work hard and stay focused
• Favorite movie – “Major League”
• Favorite food – Pasta, steak
• Three people who would love to have dinner with – Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter and Donald Trump.
• Best Christmas gift – Go-cart when he was 14.
• Favorite song – “Imagine” by John Lennon
• Favorite professional team – Yankees
• Favorite college team – Iowa Hawkeyes
• Favorite candy – Skittles
• Born on August 17, 1982 in Des Moines, IA
It’s Everyday
Matt Palazzo has been a member of the USA Softball Men’s National Team since 2008. Palazzo is one of the most versatile players on the team and can play either infield or outfield. He is very competitive and has winning a World Championship as one of his athletic goals. He began playing softball after he completed his collegiate baseball career. He realizes softball takes a lot of time but he is also mindful to keep his family and career ahead of his softball aspirations.