Frozen Ropes director to work with women's national softball team

CHESTER — Tony Abbatine, the international director of instruction for Frozen Ropes will join the 2014 USA Softball Women's National team as they prepare for their upcoming international competition at the International Softball Federation (ISF) XIV World Championship in Haarlem, Netherlands.
With similar positions with Major League Baseball teams, including the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees and the Colorado Rockies, Abbatine will provide support in the area of pitch recognition and mental skills training to this year's Women's National team. Abbatine has worked with several college softball programs most recently, the University of Florida, Hofstra and the University of South Florida.
"What a great opportunity for our National team players to be able to work with one of the best vision coaches in the industry," said USA Softball Women's National team head coach Ken Eriksen. "The ASA/USA Softball National Office is all about giving our players the best opportunity to prepare them for gaining back the gold medal at this year’s World Championships in the Netherlands.”
Working with national teams as they prepare for international play is not new for Abbatine. He was on the coaching staff for the 2005 German National Baseball team at the European Championships in Amsterdam and also trained the 2006 French National Baseball Team. His work in the area of mental skills and pitch recognition has been featured in Sports Illustrated, USA Today and Newsweek.
"Having an opportunity to work with the USA Softball National team and provide support to Coach Eriksen and the rest of his staff with cutting edge training will be a real challenge," said Abbatine, a resident of Warwick. "At the elite level, the difference, many times in performance outcome is more about emotional and visual control than it is about mechanics and deliveries."
Abbatine will join the Women's National team pool of players in Lynchburg, Va. on June 8 as they prepare for a summer filled with events.
To read more about the 2014 schedule for USA Softball and the athletes invited to attend the selection camp and tour - click here.
About Frozen Ropes
With facilities throughout the United States and training events in Europe and the Middle East, Frozen Ropes provides softball and baseball support to amateur and professional players and teams. In addition to the teaching the fundamental skills at every position, Frozen Ropes training and success stories in the area of mental skills and pitch recognition is considered the best in the Industry.
For more information, visit: http://www.frozenropes.com.