STRATFORD BRAKETTES SEASON TICKETS ARE ANOTHER GREAT BARGAIN FOR SOFTBALL FANS

April 27, 2014 - The Stratford Brakettes will open their 68th consecutive season of play on June 6th at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. The team has 25 home play dates in Stratford. The 2014 Schedule is posted.

Season Ticket prices have remained the same for the fifth straight year. Box seats are $100, reserved with back rests (behind home plate) are $80 and general admission (first and third base bleachers) are $60. All subsequent tickets are available at half-price. Anyone who purchases a season pass will receive special discounts on the National Tournament tickets. We are still relying on the generosity of our fans and area businesses to make all of this happen. If you know someone that might be interested in becoming a season ticket holder, please let us know and we will send them the information. If anyone is interested in selling passes to friends, neighbors, merchants, please let us know. We welcome everyone's help. If you have any questions, please contact us at (203) 378-7262, or via e-mail, brakettes05@hotmail.com.

Manager John Stratton's club will feature several members of last year's 68-0 team that captured its fourth straight Women's Major Softball National Championship. Veteran outfielder Denise Denis, who is second on the all-time home run list, is back and she is joined by shortstop Mandie Fishback, third base/catcher Jessica Mouse, and power-hitting infielder Elise Fortier, who led the team with 23 home runs and finished second in batting average at .513 and RBI at 87.

Veteran pitcher Brandice Balschmiter was 4-0 in limited action last year and she is back full-time in 2014. Two years ago she led the team with a 36-2 record. North Carolina State star Emily Weiman (10-0) last year and newcomer Allyson Fournier, who led Tufts to the NCAA Division III title and was named the Player of the Year joins the pitching staff. Another key addition is Masuk of Monroe senior pitcher/infielder Tatum Buckley.

In addition to regular season dates at DeLuca Field, the Brakettes again will host the 6th annual Women's Major Softball championship tournament August 7-10. A field between 10-13 teams is anticipated, including the St. Louis Saints who are returning after a year's hiatus. Stratton's club will host the second USSSA Brakettes Invitational July 26-27 at DeLuca Field. This, too, is part of the season ticket package.

The Brakettes will face one of the team's all-time winning pitchers in Rachele Fico (94-1) when they take on the National Pro Fastpitch league Akron Racers on July 19th at Firestone Stadium. Prior to the WMS event the Brakettes will be in Toronto, Canada, for doubleheaders on August 3 and 4 against Team Canada.

Stratton's club enters the season with two streaks intact. They have won 81 straight games and 203 consecutive home games, dating back to June 4, 2010. In the last four years the Brakettes are 256-4 overall with records of 68-0, 68-3, 63-0 and 57-1.

In the past three seasons the Brakettes have made big road trips to participate in tournaments. In 2011 they played in the rain-shortened St. Louis Saints Invitational and went 4-0 and in 2012 they captured the Fastpitch Championship Invitational in Las Vegas, beating six California teams en route to the title. Last year the Brakettes captured the USSSA World Series in Rockford, IL.