Philadelphia, PA - The Philadelphia Phillies held their annual Women’s Softball Celebration and Parade on Saturday, May 19th at Citizens Bank Park. The members of the Philadelphia Force were the main attraction in the parade which included over 500 area softball players.

The Force were honored and recognized through the evening. Prior to the game, the Force players were available for autographs in Ashburn Alley and walked in the pre-game parade. The team was then announced individually to the crowd of 32,004. Force pitcher Kristina Thorson threw out the game’s first pitch to battery mate Ashley Smith. Mascot Belle received a ride on the Phillie Phanatic’s motorbike around the stadium. At the end of the fifth inning, pitcher Meagan Hennessy and catcher Rocky Spencer took part in the Phanatic’s skit. The big green mascot thought he could get a hit against a National Pro Fastpitch pitcher, but Hennessy struck out the Phanatic on three pitches. And then to conclude the seventh inning, all present members of the Force team joined the Phanatic on the Phillies’ dugout rooftop to dance to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”.

Even though a scheduled afternoon free softball clinic was canceled due to wet fields, the Force players, owners, front office, and members of the game-day staff were on hand for the game in which the Phillies were beaten by the Toronto Blue Jays, 13-2. Players attending were Thorson, Smith, Hennessy, Spencer, Jaime Dacey, Jenna Hall, Stacie Pestrak, Chelsea Spencer, and Trena Peel. Coach Ashley Moore was also on hand for the event.

The Force begins spring training workouts on Tuesday, May 22 at ECTB Stadium at Bicentennial Park. in Allentown with their 2007 season starting on Thursday, June 7
For more information on the Force, please visit www.philadelphiaforce.comwww.philadelphiaforce.com.