How Could Anyone Take Shots at Softball’s Smith?

I have had the pleasure of knowing Julie Smith for 10 years, beginning from the time my father met her and her Fresno State teammates in an airport in Dallas. He was impressed by her ambition and intelligence, and hired her to work for him soon after she graduated.

Not only was she admired by her co-workers, and others alike, for being a world-class athlete, but also for the professionalism and the way in which she approached her job. For Dot Richardson [“Playing Hardball,” July 26] to say that Julie is doing this because she only has softball is simply not true. Julie has countless avenues to follow once her softball career is over. It isn’t necessary to be an orthopedic surgeon to have a successful career.

Over the last 10 years she has worked tirelessly helping to promote women’s softball. In doing so she has made it possible for the women on that team to be successful both on and off the field, Dot Richardson included. I am sure Julie will succeed in her goal of making the national team selection a fair and level process, and when she does, there will be countless women who will thank her for her efforts.

STEVE KELLEY

Aliso Viejo