OKLAHOMA CITY (September 13, 2024) — USA Softball of Southern California (SoCal) has announced the 15-player roster for the 2024 USA Softball x Tokyo Exchange event, scheduled for October 5-6 in Tokyo, Japan. These athletes, selected from the 2024 High Performance Program (HPP) Region 10 Identifier in Irvine, Calif., as well as additional HPP events, will travel to Japan for a thrilling exchange series between the U-18 USA Softball of Southern California All-Star Team and Metro Tokyo Softball. This exchange will serve to strengthen the connection between the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the LA28 Games.
The event will feature the first round of matchups in Tokyo, followed by a second round in Los Angeles in 2025. The series provides these young athletes a rare opportunity to compete internationally, fostering cultural exchange and further developing their softball skills at the elite level. This exchange is a result of the USA Softball HPP, which was created in 2020 to identify and develop top athletes who will represent USA Softball in both domestic and international competitions.
“We are ecstatic to work with these talented athletes and coaches in Tokyo,” said Chris Drumm, USA Softball of Southern California Commissioner. “The HPP event in July was a success, and we are proud to send this diverse, elite group of athletes to Japan. They are excited and grateful for the opportunity to represent SoCal and USA Softball on the international stage.”
Leading the SoCal U-18 Women’s All-Star Team will be AJ Robinson, head coach of the Cal State-San Marcos softball program. Robinson will be joined in Tokyo by Ali Aguilar and Rachel Garcia, both 2020 Olympic silver medalists, who will provide mentorship and leadership to the team.
“This is such an amazing opportunity,” said Robinson. “We have a talented group of players ready to compete at the international level and represent USA Softball and Southern California. The growth and success of the HPP program has been incredible, and this event is a testament to the opportunities USA Softball is providing for young players across the country.”
The event serves as a continuation of the excitement from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with the No. 1 and No. 2 world-ranked softball programs coming together to further grow the sport and celebrate softball’s return to the Olympic Games.
The 15-player roster includes Camrynn Gordon, a top performer at the 2023 National Selection Event. The team will have the chance to showcase their skills in front of international audiences, building on the foundation laid by USA Softball’s HPP program.
These international matchups offer an invaluable experience for the athletes, allowing them to compete at a high level and learn from Olympic stars like Ali Aguilar and Rachel Garcia, who have become role models for the next generation of softball players. The event will undoubtedly serve as a milestone for the athletes, helping to propel them toward future success in the sport.