Watley breaks barriers in women’s softball

Since retiring as an active player, Natasha Watley, a former college softball champion and two-time Olympic medalist, has maintained her focus on making an impact in the lives of the next generation of female softball players.

Part of her work is as a youth softball ambassador with Major League Baseball; a position she has held for three years.

NCAA college champion in 2003 with the UCLA team, Olympic medalist in 2004 (gold) and 2008 (silver), three-time winner of the Fastest Pitching (2010, 2013 and 2014) and member of the Hall of Fame of UCLA in 2014, Watley has accomplished virtually everything possible for a young softball athlete. She was the first African-American player to participate in the Olympics with the United States softball team.

“It was incredible. when she was [en la secundaria], I dreamed of playing in college,” he said. “You work a lot. The only thing he thought about was winning a national title in college. When I had the opportunity to go to the Olympics it was like completing the cycle.”

Watley has been involved in several events, including the Breakthrough Series and the Elite Development Invitational. She looks forward to continuing to help youth softball by raising awareness of how girls can benefit from the game.

“I love the opportunity to be able to impact a girl’s life,” Watley said. “Obviously, having the opportunity to impact and inspire [jóvenes mujeres] It seems like a lot of work, but it’s very touching when a girl says, ‘Thank you.’”

Watley not only does great work in MLB’s youth programs, but also has her own foundation, called the Natasha Watley Foundation. As a woman of color, she wants to set a good example and help future softball players enter the game she continues to love.