This weekend, the JMU softball team welcomes Jennie Finch to the area as the former Olympic gold medalist will host her Jennie Finch Softball Camp this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7, at the Bridgewater Community Little League Park.
The camp runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
This is the second straight year Finch will bring her camp to the Harrisonburg area and work with JMU head coach Mickey Dean and the JMU softball team.
“Last year Coach Dean was so excited to bring us to ‘his town,’” Finch said. “He has so much pride for the area and it was fun to see him in that manner. He took us on a little tour of the area and shared stories from back in the day.”
Finch and Dean have history on the diamond as she played for him in the National Pro Fastpitch League with the Chicago Bandits. She also previously held her camp in Virginia when Dean was head coach at Radford.
Last year’s event was a huge success, bringing more than 400 campers and 1,800 spectators to her camp, which was held at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Seeing that much participation and support is something that took Finch back to her playing days.
“I have so many amazing memories at ball fields all over the country with my family and teammates,” Finch said. “It’s so special now to see so many young athletes doing the same and experiencing the game with their families. We always encourage families to attend and include them throughout the entire weekend!”
Finch won’t be coming alone as she will be joined by five professional softball players with ties to the United States national team in Crystl Bustos, Leah Amico, Andrea Duran, Toni Mascarenas, and Jenna Rhodes. The Dukes will also be on hand to assist Finch with the campers.
“We have an incredible crew and I’m so grateful to be surrounded by so many amazing women,” Finch said. “It’s always a pleasure to work with Coach Dean and his staff and team as well! They are tremendous with the campers; they are living the dream of the little girls on the field.”
There will also be a Champions Dinner Saturday night from 6 to 10 p.m. at the James Madison Memorial Hall Gymnasium in Harrisonburg. The cost for that event is $30 and fans can register online at mickeydeancamps.com through Thursday. The $30 includes dinner, a silent auction and Finch will speak and answer questions during the event.
“We are excited and so grateful to the community, Coach Dean, his staff, and the JMU softball team to continue our tradition of bringing our camp to Virginia,” Finch said. “Every year, it’s always a great atmosphere with fields full of young girls with big dreams and it’s always a blessing to encourage, teach, and hopefully inspire them!”
Finch played at the University of Arizona from 1998 until 2002 where she was a three-time All-American and a two-time winner of the Honda Sports Award given to the nation’s top player. She set an NCAA record with 60 consecutive victories, which spanned nearly two seasons. Three of those wins came at the 2001 Women’s College World Series where she was named the Most Outstanding Player after leading the Wildcats to the national crown.
Following her collegiate career, she was a member of the USA National Team, winning the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athlens and taking silver in Beijing in 2008.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Jennie Finch Softball Camps.
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Chris Graham
