March 6, 2012
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF softball assistant coach Ruben Felix, who first managed for the U.S. as part of the 2011 Women's International Friendship Series, has been pegged to lead the 2012 USA Baseball Women's National Team for the International Baseball Federation Women's Baseball World Cup in August.
"It's an honor to be invited back by USA baseball to coach the Women's National Team," Felix explained. "I've been around baseball and softball in a lot of different capacities as a coach, but this is going to be my first time as a head coach of a woman's team. To have your first experience as a head coach coming with Team USA is really special."
Felix has also won a bronze medal as an assistant coach with the 2010 USA Baseball 14U National Team and served as an assistant coach on the 2009 World Baseball Classic Team.
"Securing Ruben and the rest of the coaches from the 2011 friendship series brings continuity to our women's program," said USA Baseball Women's National Team Director Ashley Bratcher. "We see this continuity as essential for the growth of our women's program and to bringing World Cup gold back to the United States."
Current UCF player, senior Tawny Swan (Gilbert, Ariz.), has already been granted an invitation to be a member of the 2012 team and will be traveling with Felix to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. An outfielder for the Knights, Swan is being taught how to pitch overhand by Felix for Team USA.
"Tawny probably has the best arm on our UCF team out in right field, so we thought it would be a natural fit to try and teach her how to pitch overhand," Felix said. "We had to show her a bunch of new things in terms of how to wind up and keep her mechanics in order, but we think she's done a great job of picking it up so far."
Senior Natalie Land (Mayo, Fla.) and former four-year starter Abby McClain (Waterloo, Iowa.) have also been invited to compete in tryouts. Both players are expected to make the final roster.