Mizuno USA, Inc. re-signed two-time Olympic Medalist and 2010 Amateur Softball Association Female athlete of the year, Jennie Finch, to a multi-year contract extension. Finch partnered with Mizuno in 2002 becoming a Brand Ambassador while playing for the United States Women’s National Team. The re-signing of Finch continues to reinforce Mizuno’s mantra of contributing to society through the advancement of sporting goods and participation and promotion of sports, specifically with women.
“Throughout her playing career and into a successful retirement, Jennie has been a model citizen and incredible ambassador for the game of softball. We are proud to re-sign such a well-respected role model in the women’s sports community,” said Bob Puccini, Mizuno USA president. “Not many athletes stay with a company for 10 years and we are grateful for the passion, determination and character Jennie has bestowed upon our brand, women’s softball and sport in general.”
Finch has made it a mission and one of her many true passions to create an environment throughout society that lends itself to encouraging female participation in sport. So much so she recently wrote an autobiography, “Throw Like a Girl,” that explores the path she took growing up, while providing sound advice on how to translate the lessons she learned from sports into everyday life. In addition to her book, Finch is involved with several charities, including the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Project HOTSHOTS and the Women’s Sports Foundation while running her own softball academy and hosting camps and clinics around the country to teach young women the sport.
“My 10-year anniversary with Mizuno is incredibly special; they’ve always been an essential partner throughout my career,” said Finch. “I’m honored to be a role model for young females around the world and Mizuno has allowed me a hands-on approach to facilitating and encouraging female participation in sports, like softball, that lead to a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.”
Finch, one of the premier players in International women’s softball, took home a Gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the Silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with the U.S. Women’s National Team. Prior to her professional career, Finch was a three-time, first team All-American and two-time Honda Player of the Year while playing at the University of Arizona. In fact, she still holds the NCAA record at 60 for most consecutive wins, making her one of the most dominant pitchers in fastpitch softball history.
Mizuno has a complete line of high performance fastpitch ball gloves, footwear, fastpitch bats, batting gloves and performance apparel. Finch will continue to contribute her feedback in the research and development process. The current line-up of Mizuno fastpitch products includes several Finch series items including the Finch Franchise Series of fastpitch ball gloves, Jennie Finch Signature Series fastpitch bat, the Finch Premier G3 and Youth Finch Premier G3 batting gloves, the 9-Spike Finch 5 Mid-and Low-Cleats and the Finch Franchise 4 along with the Youth Finch Franchise 4.
