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Women’s softball pitcher once faced JacksonDURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Six years ago, during the U.S. Olympic Festival at Syracuse, N.Y., women’s softball pitcher Kathy Arendsen got one of the biggest shocks of her life.She was told she was going to pitch against baseball slugger Reggie Jackson.held outdoors after the final game of the women’s softball tournament.was postponed by rain and held the following day at 7 a.m. in the Carrier Dome.Only Jackson, Arendsen, catcher Doreen Denmon and a group of ABC-TV cameramen were on hand.The confrontation, scheduled to be44Reggie was intimidating, he was«* •_____... - . - — - — - -------------- . - - . ---------_______...---------------- ---.----- -------- JBgj. .. V I/ V « V. / » V*-4* ir* - ' _» A , r-K'ip® wP*®5 wjBmm MWr^ ip 11^. jRL slI',. !■' p. 1f*1 ■ ^ : ,, 8— on Seamless Alumii745-41OIROLfe*;• •* - J' - --S'- - ■Seamless Gutteinum Gutters —CODO ...ANYTIMEINK• CompanyBeat the Dog Daysof summer inHatter as Hammockr\atterasmmocksHand-crafted from fine quality ropeand solid oak spreader. Great foruse on the deck, patio or lawn.iHardware Building SuppliesWhere Service To The Customer Is Our Main ConcernMon.-FriAskew s wilt match our competitors advertised prices on identical items we carry in stock No clearance close outs or errors will be honored7:30*5:30Saturday7:30*5 00Hwy 1 7 South633-5125LocaSy Owned Business Serving toe Community For Ovec 40 Yearsvery muscular,” “He made theArendsen recalled bat look like a toothpick. I knew if he hit the ball, he would kill me.”Arendsen was working from the softball pitching distance, only 40 feet from home plate. After her follow-through, she was only about 33 feetfrom the plate. J7But Jackson, a powerful, left-handed slugger who has tut 559 home runs, sixth-best in baseball history, was no match for Arendsen, a hard-throwing right-hander whose rising 90 mph fastball has produced 35 nohitters.He struck out swinging three times, managing only one foul ball in about 15 pitchestried to back him off with my ” Arendsen said.44»»riser. ________le was a real sport about it,” sIm said. “He was very complimentary He also was very impressed.Arendsen, who did not allowearned run in compiling a 22-0 record last year and began this year with a career record of 224-20, sympathizedwith Jackson.“The difference between baseball and softball pitchers is very huge she said.»*44They (baseball hitters) ar seeing the ball releasedhere, Arendsen said, pointing abovther shoulder. “We’re used to pitchingin windmill style, she said, lowering her hand.Since then, the Jackson-Arendsenconfrontation has been shown oftenon national television by ABC, ami women’s softball — like Arendsen’*best pitch—has been mirise. It isexpected to be approved as an Olympic sport for the 1992 Barcelona Games' dream since I the Olympics»t44'Arendsen, 28,said Monday. “I don’t think a million dollars could take that away.That’s why I will do everything 1to keep up with the younger kids and try to make the States) leanUnitedWhile the Jackson-Arendsenchup was a milestone for woi softball, another important ,ea Arendsen’s entry into die fygf, area of the sport in 1978Since then, she has been an nighttime Amateur Softball Association All-America, a member of the 1979 Fan American Games gold medal team, a member of the 1983 Fan Am silver medalists and a finalist for the1981 Sullivan Award, given to the nation's outstanding amateur athlete.It was the only time, . . ■ «Mplayer has been ji fm*^ for ^award Wi!I*
Newspaper Details
New Bern Sun Journal
New Bern, North Carolina, US
Tue, Jul 21, 1987
Page 16
Full Page
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