Softball Reflections with Ryan Iamurri, a Women’s College World Series Champion

With the initials R.B.I, it seemed like Ryan Iamurri was destined from the start to spend her days at the softball field.  

For many, the Little League® journey starts at an already young age, when their parents sign them up to play in the Tee Ball division. For Ms. Iamurri, her journey started when she was born into a Little League family, which meant her time at the Naples (Fla.) Little League fields began before she could speak, let alone throw a ball or swing a bat.  

“I have been around it forever,” said Ms. Iamurri. “I was born in 1992, and the softball teams that my dad coached won consecutive championships the first five years of my life. I remember going to all of the opening ceremonies and sitting on my dad’s shoulders walking through the parade – there are a lot of great memories and photos from those early days.”  

Robert Iamurri, Ms. Iamurri’s father, has coached Little League since he was 18 years old, taking his first team to the Little League Softball® World Series (LLSWS) in 1980. Since that time, he has made 23 appearances at the LLSWS and has won 14 of those appearances, taking multiple championship banners home to Florida.  

“Competing in a Little League World Series tournament has been something I have wanted to be a part of since I was that little girl and being able to finally experience that was exciting because it was finally my turn,” said Ms. Iamurri.  

In 2003, Ms. Iamurri and her Naples LL teammates made the trip west to Portland, Oregon, to represent the South Region in the LLSWS. After going undefeated to win their pool, Naples LL lost to Midway LL from Waco, Texas, in the championship game. Though at the time she was devastated, Ms. Iamurri now looks back on it with a positive perspective, remembering the friendships she made with both the Japan Region players and with the girls from the Oregon District 4 host team. 

Three years after losing in the championship game of the 2003 series, Ms. Iamurri would again find herself competing and winning the South Region tournament, this time punching her ticket to the Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington.

After going undefeated in pool play, Ms. Iamurri’s team faced off against the Asia-Pacific Region team, represented by girls from Bacolod City, Philippines in the championship game. Yet again, Ms. Iamurri and her teammates were just innings away from a championship banner of their own, and this time they came our…