Jackie Rice (May 25,1940) pitched for elite-level softball teams for two decades, including the 1964 Erv Lind Florists national champions, before beginning a long career as coach and administrator at Western Oregon University.
A female athlete in the 1950s did not have options to play on a high school varsity team. She learned the game at age 8 and was soon playing with high school age athletes. Her pitching technique was helped along by the mentorship of Betty Grayson, a legend of the 1940s. Rice joined the Erv Lind Florists after her junior year at Grant High School. Beginning in 1957, she would spend eight seasons with the Florists as a reliable starting pitcher. She was number one in the circle during the team’s drive to the National Championships. In 1963, Rice was 4-1 and Lind finished second. The next year, the Florists won it all and Jackie was named Most Valuable Player after winning all her starts by shutout.
While playing for the florists, Rice completed her degree at the University of Oregon, graduating in 1962. On campus, she lettered for four years in field hockey.
After the passing of Erv Lind, the Florists disbanded and Jackie along with four other teammates moved to California and pitched for Fresno and the Orange County Lionettes, who would win two more national championships. Jackie was a five-time All-American and took part in Seven Women's Fast Pitch All-Star series. Rice was known for her clutch performances in the national tourneys. Her ERA was 0.48 in 203 1/3 innings and she recorded 11 shutouts in 21 games.
Rice joined the staff of Western Oregon University (then known as Oregon College of Education) in 1969 and coached three programs while also serving as administrator. She retired in 1984.
Jackie Rice was inducted to the ASA Hall of Fame in 1984 and is also a member of the Western Oregon University Hall of Fame, the PIL Hall of Fame and the NAIA District II Hall of Fame.