Top 10 most famous softball players in the world currently

Softball is one of the fastest-growing games in the world. It is more popular amongst women compared to men but has some of the best athletes in the world who perform at high levels. So, who is the most popular softball player in the world? Read on to find out more about famous softball players.

Where is softball most popular in the world? Softball is most popular in the United States and Japan; hence, most players are from the two countries. In the United States, the State of California takes the mantle where the game is most played. Here are some details and pictures of the most famous softball players in 2023.

Top 10 most famous softball players

Who are the most well-known softball players? The sport is more popular among women than men and is sometimes considered another form of baseball. It has produced legends such as Jennie Finch, Lisa Fernandez, and Jessica Mendoza. So, who are some famous softball players? Here are some of the most famous softball players' names:

10. Yukiko Ueno

The Japanese star was born on the 22nd of July 1982 in Fukuoka City, Japan. She is one of the most famous softball players who are pitchers. She played for the Renesas Takasaki in her club career and, subsequently, the Japanese national team.

She won Gold in the 2008 Summer Olympics with her national team and Bronze in the 2004 Summer Olympics. She stands 173cm tall or 5'8".

9. Kelsey Stewart

The star was born on the 15th of August 1994 in Wichita, Kansans. She stands at 5'6 cm or 167cm. The American won the 2015 SEC player of the year, the NFCA All-American twice, and the NCAA WCWS Champion twice.

She has also won the 2017 Pan American Championship, the 2016 WBSC Women's World Championship, the 2015 Softball World Cup, the 2015 Japan Cup, and the 2014 Softball World Cup. Her Instagram handle is @kelseystewart.

8. Nodoka Harada

The Japanese softball player was born on the 9th of August 1992 in Soja, Japan. She won Gold in the Olympic games in Tokyo, Japan, in 2020. The star athlete also won Gold in the 2018 Asian games held in Jakarta-Palembang. Other titles she had include the Asian Championship in Taichung in 2017 and in Jakarta in 2019.

7. Haylie McCleney

She was born on the 7th of November, 1994. She stands at 5'4" in Morris, Alabama. The star won the 2022 World Games, the 2018 WBSC Women's World Championship, and the 2016 WBSC Women's Championship.

She also won Gold at the 2019 Pan American Games, the 2018 USA Softball International Cup, the 2017 Pan American Championship, the 2015 World Cup of Softball, and the 2014 Word Cup of Softball. Her Instagram handle is @hayliemac8.

6. Hitomi Kawabata

The Olympic medalist was born on the 1st of May 1996 in Kagoshima, Japan. She stands at 5'4". The highlight of her career was winning the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games gold medal.

She also won the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games gold medal, the 2017 Taichung Asian Championships gold medal and the 2019 Jakarta Asian Championships.

5. Kaleigh Rafter

The Canadian was born on the 18th of August 1986 in Guelph, Ontario. She stands at 184cm or 6 feet tall. She won Bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She also won Gold in the 2015 Pan-American Games. She has one of the most iconic quotes from famous softball players where she says,

4. Sierra Romero

The star was born on the 19th of March 1994 in Murrieta, California. She once won silver at the Pan American games in 2015. She is one of the best infidels and played for Michigan and USSSA Pride. At her time, she won the Silver medal at the 2015 Pan American games in Toronto.

She was also the two-time All-NPF team from 2017 to 2018, three-time Big Ten Player of the Year between 2013 and 2014 and in 2016, Winner of the 2016 Honda Sports Award, USA softball Collegiate Player of the Year in 2016, the NFCA National Player of the Year in 2016 also. Her Instagram handle is @sierrajoy32.

3. Rachel Garcia

The American stands at 5'6" and plays as a pitcher. She was born on the 30th of March 1997 in Palmdale, California. The star currently plays for Corona Angels- Tyson. She won a silver medal in the 2020 Olympics.

She also won the 2018 WBSC Women's World Championship, a gold medal in the 2019 Japan Cup, a gold in the 2019 Pan American Games, and a 2018 USA Softball International Cup winner. She was also named the 2015 Gatorade National Player of the Year. Her Instagram handle is @rachel_00_garcia, and her Twitter handle is @raaaccchhheeell.

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2. Jocelyn Alo

Number 2 on the famous softball players' names is Jocelyn Alo. Alo was born on the 23rd of September 1998 in Hauula, Hawaii. The 5'8" star plays as a utility and has won many awards since high school.

Some of the awards she has won in her career include the two times Women's College World Series in 2021 and 2022, Most Outstanding player in the Women's College World Series in 2022, NFCA National Freshman of the Year in 2018, two-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022, NFCA Player of the Year in 2022, Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2018 and two time big 12 Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022.

So, who is the best softball player right now? It has to be Jocelyn Alo. Her Instagram handle is @jocygurl78. Her Twitter handle is @78jocelyn_alo.

1. Monica Abbott

The 6'3" athlete is one of the most famous softball players of all time. She was born on the 28th of July 1985 in Santa Cruz. She is a two-time Silver medalist in the Olympics in 2020 and 2008. She also won Gold at the 2022 World Games, the 2018 WBSC World Championship, the 2010 WBSC World Championship, the 2006 WBSC World Championship and the 2019 Pan American Games.

She also won Gold in the ISF Women's World Championship in Beijing in 2006, Caracas in 2010 and Chiba City in 2018. She also won Gold in the Softball World Cup in Oklahoma City in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. The star also won the same accolade in 2018 in Irvine and 2019 in Columbus.

Her Instagram account is @monicaabbott. Her Twitter handle is @monicaabbott. She is one of the most famous softball players in history.

Famous softball players' jersey numbers

Every game has its jersey numbers, which iconic players wore. Here are some of the most iconic softball players' jersey numbers that have been retired and the players that wore them:

Monica Abbott takes the top spot of the most famous softball players in the world currently. Softball is a fast-growing sport and is most popular among women in the United States of America and Japan. Jocelyn Alo is the best softball player in 2023.

Sports Brief also posted a list of the heaviest NBA players at the moment. The NBA is one of the most intense games in the world and is characterised by gigantic athletes. The average height of an NBA player is above 6'5".

So, who is the heaviest NBA player at the moment? Is your favourite player on the list? Click on the link above to find out.

Player	Position	Years active	Jersey number
Brianne Morgan	Third base	1997/1998	44
Erica Schwanke-List	Pitcher	1995/1998	1
Tera Prosser-Howe	Pitcher	1991/1994	6
Heather Ferrari-Urbansky	Outfield	1991/1994	7
Lauren Dickinson	Pitcher	1999/2002	14
Jill Spargo	Shortstop	2004/2007	16
Kelli Miller	Infielder	1990/1993	18
Keri Meyer	Utility	2003/2006	25
Kali Byers	Third base	2003/2006	33