Legendary pitching coach brings perfect form to TNGSL

The Throggs Neck Girls Softball League is preparing to kickoff another exciting season of play with an emphasis on pitching, thanks to world-renowned pitching ace Julie Bolduc. 

The first pitcher in NCAA history to throw a complete perfect game in the College World Series, against Utah State in 1984, will be conducting a pitching clinic for the league every Monday at Bicentennial Veteran’s Memorial Park at 1 p.m. starting on July 7 and lasting for six weeks. 

“I feel tremendously lucky to have been able to set this up,” said TNGSL president Rachel Mazza.  “It is almost impossible to get Julie Bolduc to come out for a pitching clinic.  She is super booked.  It’s an honor to get an appointment with her.”

Bolduc is the owner of and pitching instructor for Julie Bolduc’s Pro Pitch where she and her staff train over 80 students weekly.  Bolduc, who led the nation in strikeouts with 337 in 1985, has trained hundreds of athletes since 1995 and is currently the pitching consultant for Adelphi University, her alma mater. 

Mazza knows how much of an impact training under Bolduc can have for a  pitcher, having sent her daughter to work under her over 9 years ago.  “She was 12 and couldn’t throw a strike,” said Mazza.  “It took only a few lessons and like magic she became a totally different pitcher.  I’ve seen her do amazing things with kids.”

Mazza contacted the Massachusetts based trainer several weeks back about taking time out to train her charges and Bolduc agreed, scheduling TNGSL in on her way to a weekly training session in Long Island. 

“My objective is to upgrade the level of softball played in the Bronx,” said Mazza, who also plans hitting clinics and other improvements efforts with the  goal of creating a viable tournament team.  “When you play against Staten Island, it’s like a whole new world,” she continued.  “I want these girls prepared.”

Mazza is also helping her Preston charges.  Pitching ace, Devyn Abbate, who will be a senior next season, will benefit from a 30-minute private training session with Bolduc before she works with the little league, of which at least one player will be joining the Throggs Neck school in the fall. 

“We’re going to change the way we play softball in the Bronx,” said Mazza, whose league will celebrate opening day on Saturday, June 28, at 9 a.m. at Bicentennial Veteran’s Memorial Park. 

Throggs Neck Girls Softball League, Julie Bolduc, Rachel Mazza, pitching, clinic