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Kissimmee, FL—August 12, 2014- If you have ever wanted to stand in the box against professional softball pitchers Jordan Taylor, Cat Osterman, and Keilani Ricketts, then you will get your chance on August 14th at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, FL. Following the Thursday night National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) game between the USSSA Florida Pride and the Pennsylvania Rebellion, former University of Michigan All-American Jordan Taylor will host a charity event to benefit pediatric cancer. Taylor and her fellow USSSA Pride teammates Osterman and Ricketts will pitch to willing participants in an event Jordan calls “So You Think You Can Hit?”
Participants will pay $25 to get five pitches off of one of the three pitchers. All proceeds from the event will go towards Taylor’s charity called FIGHT, which benefits the Pediatric Cancer Center at CS Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Touched by the times she spent volunteering at CS Mott during her days at the University of Michigan, as well as the loss of her father and grandmother to cancer, Jordan Taylor started FIGHT in the summer of 2012.  To her, the name symbolizes the fight cancer patients and their families go through every day.
“Watching someone go through cancer is both heart wrenching and inspiring….they dedicate all their energy to beating cancer, literally fighting for their lives,” said Taylor.
When Taylor asked teammates Osterman and Ricketts to help out, they were quick to accept.
“I’ve met a survivor of childhood cancer and I’ve met and lost a fan because of childhood cancer. It’s a cause that’s overlooked quite often, and after losing Kagan, I’ve wanted to give back somehow. When Jordan asked if we’d help  I didn’t hesitate. It’s a great cause she has and as her teammate it’s the least I can do to help!” said Osterman.
“I’ve always followed what Jordan has done with this event and have always admired her reasons and commitment to this cause. When she asked if I would help out, I thought it would be cool to help her with what she’s been working hard on with her events,” said two-time NCAA Player of the Year Keilani  Ricketts.
Thursday night will serve as the sixth So You Think You Can Hit? event Taylor has hosted. In total, she has raised over $3000 to help create a happier environment for the children at CS Mott. All participants in Thursday’s event will receive a free FIGHT bracelet and if you’re lucky enough to get a hit, you’ll receive a free FIGHT t-shirt (there has yet to be a winner of a free t-shirt in the five previous events!). Additionally, order forms will be available for FIGHT t-shirts and art which also benefit Jordan’s cause.
So you think you can hit off Taylor, Osterman, or Ricketts? Then, join the USSSA Pride for Thursday’s game against the Rebellion at 7:05 PM at Osceola County Stadium and make sure you stay afterwards for your chance in the box against three of the best softball pitchers in the world!
For more information about Jordan Taylor and FIGHT, visit her website at www.jordantaylor-softball.com.
About USSSA Florida Pride: The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.
About NPF: National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. 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 of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.
About USSSA: The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA.
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