Women's History

Joan Joyce will always be known as the unbeatable pitcher for the Raybestos Brakettes and the Connecticut Falcons, whose numerous career records—including an incredible 150 no-hitters and 50 perfect games—made her the best in the game. However, she was also one of the most gifted athletes the state has ever produced, as she also set records in basketball and later went on to a stellar career in the LPGA. A true pioneer of women’s sports, Joan is currently the head softball coach at Florida Atlantic University. Join author Tony Renzoni as he profiles the multifaceted career of one of the country’s greatest athletes.

Connecticut has a long history of producing outstanding sports teams and athletes. Two of the greatest teams to come out of the state are the legendary Brakettes and Falcons women’s fast-pitch softball teams. In their seventy-six-year history, the Brakettes are considered the most successful and longest-running organized women’s sports franchise of all time. With forty national championships, three world championships and eleven Olympians, their dynasty remains synonymous with softball excellence. Likewise, the Connecticut Falcons were the most dominant team of the Women’s Professional Softball League, winning the championship title all four years of the WPS existence. The most famous and iconic product of these two teams has been Waterbury’s legendary Joan Joyce, who is considered by many experts to be the greatest female athlete in sports history. Join author Tony Renzoni as he interviews former players and highlights the accomplishments of these two renowned teams and their legendary athletes.