George Washington University Athletics
Ritchie to Represent Team Israel at Upcoming Canada Cup
6/27/2024 10:43:00 AM | Softball
Softball alumna Arizona Ritchie will lace up for her fourth tournament with Team Israel
GW softball alumna Arizona Ritchie is preparing for international competition as Team Israel is gearing up for the 2024 Canada Cup. The Canada Cup International Softball Championship is operated by the Canadian Amateur Sport Society, a registered not-for-profit society dedicated to advocating and encouraging the development of the sport of softball by staging a first-class, family-oriented elite international fastpitch event. The 2024 Canada Cup Women's International Softball Championship will be held from July 1–7 in Surrey, British Columbia and will showcase the top female players in the world.
Ritchie, already an experienced member of Team Israel, is in her fourth year playing for the blue and white. She is preparing to play five group-stage games between July 1-4, vying to finish in the top four of their six-team pool to advance into the knockout stage. Team Israel will face off against Team Hong Kong (7/1 @ 10:30 a.m.), Team Mexico (7/2 @ 6 p.m.), Team Philippines (7/3 @ 10:30 a.m.) Team Canada (7/3 @ 6:30 p.m.) and Team New Zealand (7/4 @ 3:30 p.m.) with the goal of advancing to the knockout stages which takes place July 5-7.
Despite the upcoming tournament, Ritchie and Team Israel haven't been together since this past December's training camp. "We're a little different than other teams since we're all over the place, a lot of our team is made up of Americans that have gotten Israeli citizenship. It's really up to you to get your work in," said Ritchie, who is one year removed from college softball. "It's been different for me this year not being in a college season, so I've had to find ways to train a bit differently."
Fortunately for Ritchie, she doesn't have to go far to find help on the diamond. Ritchie has been keeping her skills sharp through individual training sessions and with help from her father, GW Baseball Head Coach Gregg Ritchie. "It's the same game though, so I'm trying to bring the same energy that I brought for five years in college softball."
Ritchie spoke about what the opportunity means to her and about not taking any of it for granted. "Every year that comes I gain more perspective," she said. "As I get older, it's in the back of my head, 'how much longer can I play?' Since I haven't been playing a college season, I've been feeling more that it's really cool that I get to do this and represent Israel and the Jewish people.
"I was raised Jewish and I'm very in touch with my Jewish identity, and playing for Team Israel has deepened that connection," said the Stafford, Va., native. "Throughout my life, there's always been a conversation about being proud to be Jewish, and playing for Team Israel has really helped me step into that. I feel very lucky to be able to have that connection to Israel and my Jewish identity."
When asked about what she's most excited for, Ritchie spoke about her teammates. "I don't get to see my team that much throughout the year, but we all feel very connected with each other. My first year with the team, we all were like woah, we've never met each other but we just had an instant connection, and I think you find that with Jewish people around the world. Every time I get to see them, whether it's for a tournament or training camp, that's the part I get most excited about - just to be with my teammates.
Ritchies' time with her Team Israel teammates won't end in July. Following the Canada Cup, Ritchie will have the opportunity to play with Team Israel one more time in 2024 at the European Softball Championships, hosted in the Netherlands beginning Sept. 1. "Traveling to different countries has been awesome for me," said Ritchie. "I'm just excited to go out and play!"
