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Monica talks about the early days of softball that did not go as you might think it might have. How she obtained her first pitching lesson and the challenges as a youth player. We talk about how it was at North Salinas HS and the mindset going into her junior year and why Monica felt she had to produce. 

What it meant to her being part of a 18U team that went to the Canada Cup, the different styles of play from teams that were there from other countries, her summer experience and the food she fell in love with from Canada. Monica reflects on the accomplishment of getting 500 strikeouts. She was the first pitcher to record this feat in all 4 years! She did it in her 33rd game. What it was like being in the zone when she recorded 22 strikeouts vs Florida which is the highest singe game record. 

Her fondest team achievement at U of Tennessee, being part of the United States National Team and playing for the USA at the Olympics. Monica talks about the first time she went into the game at the Olympics and the feelings that came with it. The process of becoming a professional in Japan and the decision that she almost did not make. She talks about how hard it was being traded away from the USSSA Pride to the Tennessee Diamonds and how signing the $1 million contract hopefully opens more doors for others. 

We touch on the Monica Abbott Foundation and then go into detail on losing softball in the Olympics and why it is so important to have it as well as being the veteran on the team now. Has she thought about how much longer she will play? We end with her pet peeve that is worth the listen!

Since the recording of this interview Monica and her teammates walked away from their former team due to an insensitive tweet and formed their own team called- THIS IS US!

Links:
DONATE TO "THIS IS US": https://www.thisisussoftball.com/donate

Monica Abbott Official Website: https://www.monicaabbott.com/

Monica Abbott Foundation Scholarship: https://www.monicaabbott.com/scholarship

USA Softball Page with Accolades: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/athletes/Monica-Abbott

Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicaabbott/?hl=en

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Monica talks about why she wears #14

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