PRO SOFTBALL GAMES WILL FEATURE ELITE PLAYERS OLYMPIC MEDALISTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THREE-DAY EVENT.

Byline: GIDEON RUBIN Staff Writer

Elite-level professional softball arrives today in the Antelope Valley.

The Pro Fastpitch X-Treme Tour features six former Team USA Olympic gold medalists and amateur divisions who'll participate in the three-day event at Palmdale's Marie Kerr Park and Lancaster City Park.

The PFX's most high-profile stars include three-time gold medalist pitcher Lisa Fernandez and second baseman Dot Richardson, a two-time gold medalist.

Outfielders Laura Berg and Jessica Mendoza, catcher Stacey Nuveman, second baseman Lovie Jung and utility player Tairia Flowers are former Olympic gold medalists too.

The professional teams' first game is scheduled for today at 7:30 p.m. at Marie Kerr Park, following a 6:30 opening ceremony. The park is on Rancho Vista Boulevard at 30th Street West.

An autograph session will immediately follow Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game at Marie Kerr Park.

The event will feature an instructional clinic today at 4 p.m., and a talent showcase college coaches will attend on Saturday at 8 a.m. Both the clinic and the college showcase will be at Marie Kerr Park).

The amateur players will compete in three-day age-specific divisional tournaments starting today at Lancaster City Park's Big 8 softball complex.

``What I really like about (the PFX) is that anybody can come out and watch,'' Mendoza said. ``The Team USA and Olympic games are really structured, and this is so much more interactive. Someone can come out and see Lisa Fernandez and watch her pitch and then get her autograph.''

Registration for clinics and amateur tournament participation is closed, but tickets are available for both professional games. Admission is $5 per entry, with ticket packages available.

For more information, contact the PFX at [phone], or log on to its Web site: www.pfxtour.com.

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