Debbie Doom
Encyclopedia
Debbie Doom was a former All-American pitcher for, among others, UCLA Bruins
and the United States
' National Softball Team
just prior to the major boom in the sport's popularity both in America and worldwide. She was the singularly most dominant pitcher in softball during her career; among her career highlights was pitching two consecutive perfect games at the 1991 Pan American Games
, an unmatched feat. Doom was remarkable for her exceptional fastball and her unusual height (6'5").
, where she played high school ball. The decision would prove fruitful, as Doom's tenure at UCLA was laden with major accomplishments.
On May 3, 1982, Doom set the third best strikeout record for a single game in NCAA history when she stuck out 25 against Cal Poly Pomona. At the time, the record was the highest total and she would match it twice before Michele Granger recorded 26 in 1993.
Most notably, she was the winning pitcher in the inaugural NCAA Women's College World Series
Softball Championship game as a freshman
, allowing only two hits in 8 innings as her Bruins downed Fresno State 2-0 thanks to a throwing error and sacrifice fly
in the 8th inning.
She remains the only pitcher to win three NCAA WCWS softball championships, doing so in 1982, 1984, and 1985. The 1984 championship saw Doom set the ultimate strikeout record for a title game at 15; UCLA Bruin Anjelica Selden
would set the record for the new three-games format in 2005 with 13; no one has beaten Doom's tally. Doom is also the only pitcher to strike out 20 players in a single WCWS game, fanning 20 Oklahoma State Cowgirls in 1982. Finally, she is one of only three pitchers (with UCLA's Lisa Fernandez
and Cal State-Fullerton's Kathy Van Wyk) to pitch two no-hitters in the same World Series.
Doom was named to the All-American team and the WCWS All-Tournament Team every year from 1982–1985. Additionally, her record of 62 strikeouts in a single WCWS went unsurpassed until 2006, when Alicia Hollowell
of Arizona
struck out 64 en route to her team's championship. She closed her career with 952 strikeouts.
Recognizing her dominance, the NCAA placed Doom on its All-Decade team in 1991 and its 25th Anniversary NCAA Division I Women's Softball All-Star Team in 2006. UCLA inducted Doom into its athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.
) in Women's Pro Fastpitch (now National Pro Fastpitch
). She led the league in ERA
(0.42) and opponents' batting average (.153) while also placing in the league's top five in four other pitching categories. She went 3-0 in the championship series against the Virginia Roadsters and was named series MVP.
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins are the sports teams for University of California, Los Angeles . The Bruin men's and women's teams participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Pacific-12 Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation . For football, they are in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' National Softball Team
United States women's national softball team
|- align=center bgcolor=white valign=middle|- align=center bgcolor=white valign=middle|- align=center bgcolor=white valign=middle |bgcolor=white|- align=center bgcolor=white valign=middle |bgcolor=white...
just prior to the major boom in the sport's popularity both in America and worldwide. She was the singularly most dominant pitcher in softball during her career; among her career highlights was pitching two consecutive perfect games at the 1991 Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
, an unmatched feat. Doom was remarkable for her exceptional fastball and her unusual height (6'5").
University of California–Los Angeles Bruins
UCLA recruited Doom out of Tempe, ArizonaTempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
, where she played high school ball. The decision would prove fruitful, as Doom's tenure at UCLA was laden with major accomplishments.
On May 3, 1982, Doom set the third best strikeout record for a single game in NCAA history when she stuck out 25 against Cal Poly Pomona. At the time, the record was the highest total and she would match it twice before Michele Granger recorded 26 in 1993.
Most notably, she was the winning pitcher in the inaugural NCAA Women's College World Series
Women's College World Series
The Women's College World Series is the final portion of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship for college softball in the United States. The tournament format consists of two four-team double-elimination brackets. The winners of each bracket then compete in a best-of-three title game series...
Softball Championship game as a freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
, allowing only two hits in 8 innings as her Bruins downed Fresno State 2-0 thanks to a throwing error and sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
in the 8th inning.
She remains the only pitcher to win three NCAA WCWS softball championships, doing so in 1982, 1984, and 1985. The 1984 championship saw Doom set the ultimate strikeout record for a title game at 15; UCLA Bruin Anjelica Selden
Anjelica Selden
Anjelica "Jelly" Selden is an African-American, former All-American right-handed softball pitcher from Vacaville, California. She attended Vanden High School from 2001 to 2004...
would set the record for the new three-games format in 2005 with 13; no one has beaten Doom's tally. Doom is also the only pitcher to strike out 20 players in a single WCWS game, fanning 20 Oklahoma State Cowgirls in 1982. Finally, she is one of only three pitchers (with UCLA's Lisa Fernandez
Lisa Fernandez
For the politician, see Liza Fernandez RodriguezLisa Fernandez is a right-handed softball pitcher of Cuban-Puerto Rican descent. She established an Olympic record in softball with 25 strikeouts in a game as a member of the United States Women's team.-Early years:Lisa's father immigrated from Cuba,...
and Cal State-Fullerton's Kathy Van Wyk) to pitch two no-hitters in the same World Series.
Doom was named to the All-American team and the WCWS All-Tournament Team every year from 1982–1985. Additionally, her record of 62 strikeouts in a single WCWS went unsurpassed until 2006, when Alicia Hollowell
Alicia Hollowell
Alicia Kay Hollowell is a former four-time NCAA Division I All-American, right-handed softball pitcher from Suisun, California. She attended Fairfield High School from 1998-2002...
of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
struck out 64 en route to her team's championship. She closed her career with 952 strikeouts.
Recognizing her dominance, the NCAA placed Doom on its All-Decade team in 1991 and its 25th Anniversary NCAA Division I Women's Softball All-Star Team in 2006. UCLA inducted Doom into its athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.
Professional career
In 1997 at age 34, Doom pitched for the Orlando Wahoos (now the Akron RacersAkron Racers
- 2010 :The following is the Racers 2010 home schedule:* Thursday, June 24 * Friday, June 25 * Saturday, June 26 * Sunday, June 27 * Thursday, July 1 * Friday, July 2 * Saturday, July 3...
) in Women's Pro Fastpitch (now National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch , formerly the Women's Pro Softball League , is the only professional women's softball league in the United States. The WPSL was founded in 1997 and folded in 2001. The NPF revived the league in 2004 and currently features four teams: USSSA Pride, Akron Racers, Chicago...
). She led the league in ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(0.42) and opponents' batting average (.153) while also placing in the league's top five in four other pitching categories. She went 3-0 in the championship series against the Virginia Roadsters and was named series MVP.