Two-time USA Softball Slow Pitch National Team member Denny Crine tabbed 2015 USA Softball Male Slow Pitch Athlete of the Year!
OKLAHOMA CITY – Following his second season as a member of the USA Softball Slow Pitch National Team (SPNT), Denny Crine (Henderson, Nev.) has been named the 2015 USA Softball Male Slow Pitch Athlete of the Year, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball announced today. Crine, who is also a member of the ASA Stadium Power Tour, had a standout year for the Red, White and Blue, leading the team both on the field and at the plate. For his efforts, Crine earned a spot on the 2016 USA Softball SPNT that is set to compete this July at Border Battle VIII in Oklahoma City.
“Being named the USA Softball Male Slow Pitch Athlete of the Year leaves me speechless,” said Crine. “Just being allowed to take the field with ‘USA’ across my chest is an honor in itself. Thank you ASA/USA Softball for this award. I look forward to taking the field again in 2016 with Team USA!”
Throughout his second year as part of Team USA, Crine made a huge impact on the U.S. offense, helping lead the Red, White and Blue to a 7-1 record during the Border Battle VII, Slow Pitch Showdown and Border Battle tour. As the SPNT defended their Border Battle title, Crine played a vital role in a dominating 22-7 (six inning) U.S. victory in Border Battle VII in Midland, Mich. Crine saw action in seven games for the U.S., picking up a hit in all but one contest to produce a .680 (17-for-25) batting average. Crine also tied for a team-leading seven home runs and a 1.560 slugging percentage.
In addition to his Team USA accolades, Crine also took home the title of the world’s greatest home run hitter during the 2015 ASA Stadium Power Tour Finals in Miami, Fla. As his moniker “Grand Slam” suggests, Crine slugged his way to the title after leading Team Miken with nine out-of-the-park blasts to sweep the ASA Stadium Power Tour Finals. This marked the fourth ASA Stadium Power Tour title for Crine, who previously won in 2008, 2009 and 2013.
Follow along with all the action this year for the USA Softball National Team Program at www.ASAUSASoftball.com.
About ASA/USA Softball
Founded in 1933, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball is the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. One of the nation’s largest sports organizations, ASA/USA Softball sanctions competition in every state through a network of 70 local associations and has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 165,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than 2.2 million. ASA/USA is responsible for training, equipping and promoting the six USA Softball National Teams that compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won nine World Championship titles as well as claimed eight World Cup of Softball titles. For more information about ASA/USA Softball, please visit http://www.asausasoftball.com.