Janie Takeda

Janie Takeda

Medal record
Women's softball
Competitor for  United States
Pan American Games
	2015 Toronto	Team

Janie Takeda is a former University of Oregon softball player and since graduation, competes for the Team USA softball team.^[1][2]

Early and Personal Life

Janie Takeda was born and raised in Placentia, California to parents George and Susan Takeda. Janie is the youngest of three sisters in a softball family. The oldest, Allison, was part of a state championship team in high school and Michelle, middle, played softball at the collegiate level for Maryland and Southern Mississippi University. Takeda attended El Dorado High School and played travel ball for the OC Batbusters. The 5'7" outfielder bats left handed, throws right handed, wore Oregon's jersey number 19, and currently wear's Team USA's jersey number 9. Growing up in a softball family meant that Takeda would bat six days a week with her dad and was offensively different from her sisters. When asked why Takeda loves softball she states, "I enjoy when a team comes together and fights for a common goal. I also love when the girls on your team not only make you a better player, but a better person and add laughter and joy to your life." Takeda's dream job is to work on sports films and in sports journalism reporting for games and making a difference in women's sports.^[3][4][5]

El Dorado High School

Janie graduated from El Dorado High School, located in Placentia, California, in 2011. Takeda played on the varsity softball team for all four years and was voted Female Athlete of the Year during her senior year. Takeda participated in a total of 85 games and with 10 wins and 14 losses in her final high school season. Takeda held an overall batting average of .466 and 132 hits. Takeda had an on base percentage of .503, with 26 runs batted in (RBI) and scored a total of 63 runs. Takeda is a four time All-Century League winner, a Cal Hi Sports/ All-Orange County 1st team, and a league co-MVP. Off the field, Takeda received honor roll pick her senior year and distinguished scholar.^[6][7]

Travel Softball

Takeda played for the OC Batbusters from 2008–2011. In 2010, Takeda helped her team to a 3rd place finish in the 2010 Premier Girls Softball Tourney. In 2011, Takeda had a .460 batting average during the PGF tournament and lead her team to a 4th place finish.^[8]

University of Oregon

Takeda graduated from the University of Oregon in 2015, majoring in journalism with a 3.17 grade point average. Takeda played for the Ducks, rostered as number 19 on the softball team. She was a three time NFCA All American and a three time first team All-Pac12. Takeda stated, " I chose Oregon because I wanted to play in the best conference in the country. I also love the city of Eugene and loved what the coaches were and are about. I loved being a part of a rapidly growing program. During Takeda's senior year, she was named to the USA softball player of the year preseason top 50 watch list and received the UO's Jackson Award. The Jackson athletic trophy is awarded annually each spring to an outstanding graduating senior female athlete. The recipient is selected based on outstanding athletic ability, scholastic achievement, leadership ability, and inspiration to other athletes. Nominations are made by UO student-athletes and winners are selected by student-athletes and athletic department staff. Aside from Takeda's accomplishments on the field, she started a community service project at Mt. Pisgah, which dealt with restoring the mountain by planting trees. She delivered food to local families as a part of the Thanksgiving basket drive and was a key contributor to raising money for the UNICEF campus group's drive for "Chemo Ducks". During Takeda's junior year at UO, she was named NFCA second team All America, NCAA Eugene regional MVP, 1st team All-Pacific region, and 1st team all Pac-12. Her season statistics included, a .388 batting average, went 20 for 24 on stolen bases, .545 slugging percentage, and a .451 on base percentage. During her sophomore season, she was named NFCA 1st team All American, 1st team All-Pacific region, 1st team All-Pac 12, and NCAA regional All-Tournament team. Her stats include a .466 batting average, went 31 for 37 on stolen bases, slugged .582, and had a .466 on base percentage. During the 2014 spring season, Takeda was chosen by ESPN to blog the Duck's journey to the Women College World Series. Takeda titled her blog, Time to Finish What We Started and spoke about the teams emotions throughout the season and the balance it takes to handle work, school, and the pressure that comes with both tasks.^[9][10][11]

Dallas Charge

The Dallas Charge is a professional softball team based in Dallas, Texas and is a part of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). Takeda was the 26th overall pick in the 2015 NPF draft, dated on April 1, but chose to take her career towards Team USA.^[12]

Team USA

Takeda is a first year USA member and chose to roster for Team USA over the Dallas Charge and will represent USA in the World Cup of Softball during the summer of 2015.^[13][14]

References