The Philadelphia Force of National Pro Fastpitch has announced the signing of Lancaster, California native, Jodie Cox. Cox is entering into her third year as a professional fastpitch player, having previously played for the California Sunbirds (2004) and New York Juggernaut (2005). The 2005 NPF All-Star will make an immediate impact in the circle for the Force. She joins Lauren Bay and former Juggernaut teammate Alison Higgs, as the third southpaw in the pitching rotation for the Force.

The left-handed pitcher graduated from Cal State-Fullerton, where she was named a third-team NFCA All-American. She amassed 699 strikeouts in 634 and two-thirds innings pitched and limited opponents to a .170 batting average during her collegiate campaign. Cox completed 72 of her starts, tossing 34 career shutouts. She was a four-time All-Big West Conference selection, and in her senior campaign, she was named first team as both a pitcher and an outfielder. She was named the Big West Co-Pitcher of the Year as a senior after leading the team with 21 victories, a 1.06 earned run average and 224 strikeouts. Cox graduated from Cal State Fullerton in May 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology.

In 2005 with the Juggernaut, Cox was named an NPF All-Star while playing alongside current Force teammates on the New York franchise. She claims that her teammates are a major reason she will be playing in Philadelphia this summer. “Playing again with Carri, Tash, Ali, Ryan, and Chelsea contributed greatly to my desire to play with the Force this year. We have great chemistry on and off the field.”

Jodie also claims that being able to pitch another season to Force catcher and former battery mate, Ryan Realmuto, is an added bonus. “Ryan is a great motivator. She is able to pull so much out of me both during practice and games. She is a pitcher's dream to pitch to!”

Cox, an assistant coach at Cal State-Northridge, has previously coached at Syracuse University where she was a member of the 2005 Big East Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. Being in Southern California allows Cox to pitch outside on the dirt during every workout, a big improvement from being in the cold climate of upstate New York last year. She claims “I pitch batting practice to my team at least 5 days a week. It works out great because I am able to challenge my hitters just like I would in a game.”

Don’t miss Jodie Cox and the rest of the Force on opening day, June 7, 2006 against the Connecticut Brakettes at ECTB Stadium at Bicentennial Field in Allentown, Pennsylvania. For more information please visit www.philadelphiaforce.com.

Press Contact: Jennifer Carlo, Assistant GM or (215) 441-8600 x303.

Photo Credit: Kelly Kline Photography