Joyce, Joan (1940–)

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Joyce, Joan (1940–)

American softball player. Born Aug 18, 1940, in Waterbury, CT; attended Chapman College in California.

At 13, joined Raybestos Brakettes, amateur women's fast-pitch softball team in Stratford, CT (1953); launched pitching career during Amateur Softball Association's (ASA) National championships (1958); became a dominant force behind Raybestos Brakettes team with her pitching, hitting and fielding expertise (1970s); led team to World championship, 1st ever won by Americans (1974); helped found International Women's Professional Softball Association (1975); retired from softball (1978); named head coach for women's softball program at Florida Atlantic University (1994). Inducted into National Softball Hall of Fame (1983) and Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame (1990).

See also Women in World History.

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