Washington Glory Inks Deal With Abbott for Three Years

Ashburn, VA, July 21, 2007 — The Washington Glory cemented a three-year deal with its first-ever draft pick, Monica Abbott. Number 7 is expected to make her professional fastpitch debut during the Glory’s final home series August 2 – 5 against the Rockford Thunder.

“We’re ecstatic to have Monica on board through the 2009 season,” says owner & general manager Paul Wilson. “She’ll be a tremendous asset on the field & in the community, as well as an incredible addition to our already impressive roster.”

The Glory’s current rotation includes Desiree Serrano, who leads the league with 12 wins, Sarah Pauly (9-4), and rookie-closer Jen Musillo.

Abbott, who is expected to miss much of the 2008 season to pitch for Team USA in the Beijing Olympics, is excited about the opportunity to continue playing softball on the professional level. “I’m really thrilled about joining such a great organization where I can help build on the success they’ve started this year, and keep doing something I love!”

Wilson has big plans for Abbott & fellow star Glory athletes in the off season. The organization is scheduled to open the Washington Glory Diamond Elite™ Training Facility in Loudoun County later this fall. Glory players and coaches will lead training sessions, camps and clinics on all aspects of the game, including pitching, for young women who wish to polish their fastpitch skills throughout remainder of the year and into winter 2008.

Abbott took in the Glory’s series opener against the Philadelphia Force with fellow members of Team USA on Wednesday night before the national team traveled down to Rio de Janeiro to compete in the 2007 Pan American Games (softball starts on July 23rd).

About The Washington Glory
The Washington Glory is the DC area’s professional women’s fastpitch softball team. In its inaugural year with the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league, the team is coached by Carie Dever-Boaz and Assistant Coach Erin Goettlicher. The team plays at the softball complex at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. More information about the team is available online at washingtonglory.com.

About National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names Women’s Pro Fastpitch and Women’s Pro Softball League. Major League Baseball (MLB) is the official development partner of the NPF. The partnership, which began in 2002, is part of The Commissioner's Initiative on Women and Baseball, a league-wide effort to help the MLB and its 30 major league clubs build stronger relationships with female audiences.

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