USA baseball tabs former Eastmont softball star

Last month, Michelle Snyder metformin 500 mg price took a 300-mile journey up the East Coast, where a USA Baseball jersey was waiting for her in Cary, N.C.

The former Eastmont fastpitch star was one of 36 women baseball players in the nation chosen to compete in the Women’s International Friendship Series, which will be held Aug. 2 to 7.

“It’s something completely new and a new challenge for me,” Snyder said. “To wear that jersey and represent my country, I was speechless. It’s a huge honor. Even though it’s not a World Cup year, it’s going to be an amazing experience.”

In part, the Friendship Series is a recruitment tool for the Women’s National Team, which will compete in the World Cup next year. Coaches will also keep an eye out for new recruits at regional tryouts next spring. The national team won the gold medal in 2004 and 2006, and bronze in 2008 and 2010.

Snyder’s ability and experience stood out among the 150 women USA Baseball considered for the series, said Ashley Bratcher, director of the Women’s National Team program. Bratcher said Snyder was recommended by Florida State coach Angel Santiago.

Snyder, now 24, led the Wildcats to the Big Nine playoffs in 2005, earning all-state honors. Florida State University recruited her to play third base, a position she kept all four years.

“My strength was definitely defense,” she said. “One thing I really pride myself on is my hands and my glove work.”

During Snyder’s senior year, the Florida State fastpitch program was ranked between 15th and 25th in the nation throughout the 2008-09 season. Even with a new coaching staff, the team took second in its conference tournament, Snyder said.
Snyder stayed at Florida State for the 2009-2010 season as a graduate assistant coach and earned a master’s degree in sports administration.

“I just love the game,” she said. “It’s gotten me across the country, it helped me get an education, and it’s my outlet. It’s a place I can go out there and play and not think about anything else.”

She planned to make a career of coaching college softball, but decided to “take a break from it and enjoy being able to play” this year, she said. She moved to Arlington, Va., to work as an intelligence analyst for a defense contractor.

She has been training with two baseball teams and a fastpitch team since earning a spot at the Friendship Series. At first, the transition was tough: Baseball has a bigger field, smaller ball and slower pace, she said.

“Everything that came naturally in softball has to be tweaked a little bit,” Snyder said.

The Friendship Series began with two training days. Then the 36 women split in two teams, Red and Blue, which both play the Canadian Women’s team and a East Coast men’s team.