Toros Softball Integral in Bringing Home RBI Clinic’s Message
Reigning CCAA Champions spend day mentoring softball players from local high schools with 2004 Softball Olympic Gold Medalist Natasha Watley
January 11, 2006

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Los Angeles, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills softball head coach Jim Maier, along with CSUDH assistant coaches, members of the Toros softball team and former UCLA All-American, NCAA Champion and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Natasha Watley, were the marquee participants at last Saturday morning’s RBI Clinic, Presented by Natasha Watley and the CSUDH softball team.

Founded by John Young, the RBI Clinic offers an overall academic and athletic learning experience to girl softball players, and was attended by 20 area high school softball teams including Bell, Birmingham, Carson, Cleveland, Crenshaw, Fairfax, Fremont, Garfield, Hamilton, Huntington Park, Long Beach Jordan, LA Jordan, King/Drew, Lincoln, Marshall, LB Poly, Roosevelt, San Fernando, Venice and Washington High Schools.

Last Saturday’s event not only promoted RBI Softball and its relationship with both CSUDH and Natasha Watley, it also exposed high school student-athletes to softball at different levels, which included travel ball and college softball. Additionally, it familiarized participants with RBI academic enhancements, focusing on SAT prep classes, academic contests and scholarship availabilities.

“Jim is a great teacher and probably one of the outstanding coaches in the country,” Young says of head coach Maier. “He really backs what we’re trying to do and when he brings his team out, it’s special because they really understand his program, and the word of mouth in the community is so good about Cal State Dominguez Hills that it becomes even that much more special for us to have him and his team here. We appreciate that CSUDH is in the community and for the girls, their softball role models are college kids so when Jim and his girls come out, it’s really special for them.”

Watley, a four-time All-American at UCLA who currently is an assistant coach with her alma mater and playing professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league, was equally honored to be involved in the clinic.

Says Watley, “I just love giving back, and seeing CSUDH be a part is awesome because they’re a college in the area that can help give these young girls, who are minorities like myself, an opportunity. I was sold on the program from the start and it’s awesome to be a part of it.”