NPF Player A.J. Andrews to be Honored at Gold Glove Dinner Friday
National Pro Fastpitch Akron Racers member, A.J. Andrews, will be honored on Friday night in New York City as the first female winner of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award at the Plaza Hotel during the annual presentation ceremony.
Outfielder Andrews, a former LSU Tiger, has been a fan favorite since joining the league in 2015. The 2016 season with the Akron Racers saw the Florida native make some of the signature plays in the outfield that earned her three All-SEC honors and an All-American nod during her stellar collegiate career at LSU. Three of those catches landed Andrews in the #1, #2 and #3 spots throughout the season on ESPN Sports Center’s Top 10 Plays of the Day.
“I really pride myself on working hard. If a ball is in the air, if I can get near it, I am going to go hard for it,” said Andrews. “So for all the girls who want to be in our position one day, I would just say this is what hard work gets you. I’m really excited to get acknowledged for this. It’s truly an honor and a blessing and I can’t thank everyone enough for this opportunity.”
Andrews finished the NPF regular season tied for the most stolen bases with 15, while holding a perfect fielding percentage for the Racers. Andrews hit .259 on the year with seven doubles and two home runs, driving in 10 and crossing the plate 24 times.
“A.J. is one of our most outstanding, exciting players and is deserving of being the first female to receive this coveted award,” said NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf. “She will be honored alongside some of the greatest players in the world on Friday night and she has more than earned the privilege to be there.”
National Pro Fastpitch – the women’s premier professional softball league – has been a Major League Baseball development partner since 2002.
“We’re pleased that Rawlings has recognized the superior performance that A.J. brings to every single game,” said NPF board member Denise C. Michaels. “Day in and day out, she epitomizes everything the Gold Glove Award represents.”
Now in its 58th year, the Rawlings Gold Glove has been awarded to 323 players in nine positions, all male Major League Baseball players until now.
About National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2002, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in diamond sports beyond their collegiate success. The 2016 NPF season was televised on CBS Sports Network. Coverage included the NPF College Draft presented by Bownet in April, followed by 23 regular-season games, a Championship Series Preview Special and the 2016 NPF Championship Series. The NPF recently announced that the Scrap Yard Dawgs, located in The Woodlands, Texas joined the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2016 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand, representing the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball.
Note to Media
Photos and b-roll of players is available. NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf and top players available for interview.
Contact:
Denise C. Michaels, SSG Sports, 202-682-3700 denise@sandersonstrategies.com
Gaye Lynn Wilson, National Pro Fastpitch, 615-207-8117 gayelynnw@profastpitch.com
