World Cup of Softball: Michael Clarke

Cat Osterman Dominates (Again) in World Cup Final

mikeyactive — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 06:04:00 GMT

Head coach Mike Candrea says Cat Osterman can get better. The Japanese National Team, who struck out 13 times against Osterman in tonight’s World Cup of Softball final loss 3-0 to Team USA, might beg to differ.

Osterman, recovering from recent surgeries to her ankle and clavicle, showed that she just might be the ace of a stellar pitching staff that allowed only two runs during the entire tournament.

“Cat spins the ball as good as anyone and has lots of movement,” said Candrea. “When Cat’s ball is breaking that much and they’re missing that much you know she’s on. I really like what I saw.”

For Osterman it was a rematch of last year’s final against Japan. This time though Osterman, with her trademark riseball and backdoor curve, left Japanese hitters completely flustered en route to a three-hit shutout. For coach Candrea it was the fulfillment of potential he first saw from the Texas hurler back in 2004.

“Cat’s a very good pitcher. I’ve seen her mature a lot,” Candre said. “She’s become a smarter pitcher. There’s a lot of growing up at this level and she has become the total package.”

Osterman set a new World Cup of Softball record with thirteen strikeouts in the game --and the team needed every single one of them. Team USA’s offense, which had blistered nearly every other team in the tournament, was held to just three runs by a Japanese squad who used five separate pitchers over the course of the game.

Still the approach wasn’t enough to stop the torrid hitting of Tairia Flowers who finished with three homeruns and 11 RBI in the tournament, virtually cementing her place on the team for the Beijing Olympics.

“It takes some time to get comfortable with a pitcher. So the Japanese threw us off slightly tonight. But we’ve seen them all before and we just went in there and stayed aggressive.”

Despite the tournament win Team USA can’t celebrate too long. From here the girls travel to Brazil for the Pan Am Games and then prepare for the all-important national team tryouts in Chula Vista, California before beginning a playing tour that begins in February and concludes with summer games in Beijing that might represent the swan song for softball on the Olympic level.

For now though the girls can enjoy the win and realize winning tournaments like these is the best way to ensure that the sport of softball grows, both in this country, and in the diverse countries that participate in the World Cup of Softball.

Tairia Flowers: Hitting softballs one eye at a time

mikeyactive — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 07:15:00 GMT

Tairia Flowers may be the only professional athlete who wears one single contact lens. She might also be the next big slugger for the USA National Team.

Having served ably for Team USA as a super utility player since 2004, Flowers has emerged over the last few weeks as a formidable offensive force to rival the likes of such stalwarts as Jessica Mendoza and Crystl Bustos.

Flowers’ ascension on the national team began during the Canada Cup where she took home the tournament MVP with a team-high .650 batting average to go along with 10 RBI and three homeruns. Ironically enough it was about that time she started wearing one single contact lens.

“My left eye is my dominant eye and I see pretty good with it. But my right eye is a little far back,” Flowers said. “So I met up with Johnson and Johnson and they sent me some extra contacts to wear. It’s been working out.”

It certainly has. Flowers has already pounded 11 RBI and two home runs during this year’s World Cup of Softball, including a grand slam against the Dominican Republic, and is poised to add another tournament MVP trophy to her recent accolades.

Yet despite her exceptional start the other members of Team USA aren’t about to let it go to her head – or let her forget how strange it is she wears one contact lens.

“They keep making fun of me,” said a jocular Flowers. “I blink a lot on the field so they give it to me pretty good.”

It’s been an interesting journey for Flowers, who has gone from UCLA national softball champion to Olympic gold medalist to part-time player on the USA National Team. She admits that in the past it may have been a case of trying to do too much that kept her from reaching her full potential.

“I’m more relaxed. Trying not to press too much. That’s something I’ve done in the past,” Flowers points out. “I worked extra hard knowing I’d get this opportunity in the lineup.”

Maybe that’s all she needed -- an opportunity and a -1.75 contact lens.

USA Overcomes Japanese Challenge

mikeyactive — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:55:00 GMT

It had been so long since the U.S. National Team had seen the bottom end of a fifth inning, some wondered if the team was prepared for a game that didn’t provide them a nine-run lead. That was until tonight.

Behind the dominant one-two punch of Monica Abbott and Jennie Finch, along with a two-run dinger from possible MVP candidate Tairia Flowers, the Team USA passed their sternest test of the World Cup tournament by defeating Japan 4-1 before a sold-out crowd in Oklahoma City.

For awhile it looked like business as usual when Crystl Bustos doubled in Caitlin Lowe in the first inning. Japan answered with a run of their own in the third, and would have had more, if not for an amazing play by Jenny Topping who received a throw up the line from Jessica Mendoza and tagged out the runner at the plate. Though Topping has yet to get a hit during the tournament her stellar defense is being noticed by her teammates -- especially her battery mate Finch.

“That’s what makes it easier to pitch when you know you have the world’s best defense behind you,” said Finch. “That catch that Toppy made really fired us up.”

Finch was inspirational herself – striking out 10 of 15 batters she faced in her two appearances on the day. Any rustiness she may have had in last year’s tournament, following the birth of her son Ace, seems to have disappeared as Finch regains the velocity and movement she had in 2005.

“I feel much better this year. I had a whole year to train and rebound and it’s made the difference,” said Finch.

With the win the U.S. squad moves to 4-0 and a likely rematch with Japan in the World Cup of Softball final. Tomorrow Team USA takes on a resurgent Canada team for the first time this season and possibly Canadian pitcher Danielle Lawrie – a foe many American hitters have struggled against.

Conversation with Jennie Finch

mikeyactive — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:17:00 GMT

Jennie Finch is one of those rare athletes who transcends sports to become a cultural and entertainment icon. But behind the magazine covers and ESPY trophies is a fiercely competitive player who doesn't just want to win, but "dominate everybody I face."

We spoke to her during the World Cup of Softball to find out how she throws that amazing riseball, what it's like to wear the USA Softball uniform and to check in on the pitching development of her one year-old son, Ace.

I'll start with a question every softball fan is dying to find out? Do we know if Ace is a right-hander like yourself or a southpaw like her dad? (Finch is married to Arizona Diamondback pitcher, Casey Daigle.) We don't. He's more left-handed than he is right-handed at this point. He's a little bit both. I'm really hoping he's a righty.

How's his change-up? It's good. (Laughs) His slider is looking good...

I assume you were keeping an eye on your alma mater, Arizona, during their championship run in the Softball College World Series? Of course. I'm close to everyone in the program because we live in Tucson. It was really exciting to watch. We were all cheering. It was a group of us alumni who were texting and phoning, "Oh! We're going to win!"

Is there something in the drinking water over there? It's called Coach Candrea and the history of the program.

You mention on your web site it's good for softball athletes to narrow their college choices to five universities when choosing where they're going to play collegiate ball. Which five were you thinking of? And why did you choose Arizona? Actually I had two. I went to University of Washington and Arizona on recruiting trips. But I chose Arizona because of Coach, the tradition of the Arizona program and it was closer to home. The weather had a lot do with it too.

Being a role model to so many young girls who did you look up to growing up? It's kind of funny. When I was really little it was Orel Hershiser, Magic Johnson and Steve Sax. As the sport of softball grew I started to hear about players like Lisa Fernandez and Dot Richardson. I remember going on the '96 tour and waiting to get autographs. That was awesome and got me really going for softball.

Turning to the world cup, what's the frame of mind of the team as you begin your title defense? We're excited to be back on our home turf. Last World Cup it was so much fun walking into the stadium. There's just no greater feeling than wearing your country across your chest and seeing all those flags everywhere. The little girls dreaming about being in that uniform -- that excites you.

People really loved those "This Week in Baseball" segments where you pitched to major-league baseball players. I'm curious, who was the toughest out? Hmmm. Well that would have to be Sean Casey.

No way! The Sean Casey of the Detroit Tigers. He got a hit off a riseball. Gotta go with him.

He should have that fact tattooed on his arm. I had no idea. Speaking of the riseball what's the secret to a Jennie Finch riseball? It's a tough pitch to throw but using your legs and getting underneath it is the key. Getting the right spin of the ball is super important.

You credit biomechanist, Dr. Sheri Warner, with much of your success? How so? Just by giving me the most safe and efficient pitching mechanics available. I still keep in touch with her to find out how I'm doing, how are my mechanics. Where can I get more out of my body and what are the dangers?

Turning to the Olympics what do you think are the chances of it being voted back? Hopefully huge. We're trying to do everything we can. Events like the World Cup help keep the interest for the young girls and hopefully keep the dream of USA Softball alive. Whether it's with the Olympics or not.

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(Photo courtesy of Omar Torres/AFP)

Vicky Galindo Clinic on Infield Defense

mikeyactive — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 05:50:00 GMT

We asked USA Softball infielder Vicky Galindo to give us a few tips on how she gets such a quick jump on the ball when playing defense. Below is a three-step process she uses before every pitch to get in the best possible defensive position she can.

1) Pay attention to the pitch. Recognizing what pitch is being thrown helps put you in position to make a good play. (Knowing what your teammates like to throw in certain situations also helps.)

2) Pay attention to the batter. If she's late getting to the ball or pulls off this can affect how the ball will get to you. So watch every at-bat carefully.

3) Pay attention to the situation. If there's a runner on first you might play a little bit in so you can turn double play. Anything that can help the team.

Is the U.S. Too Good at softball?

mikeyactive — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 05:39:00 GMT

After the U.S. National Team's decisive 9-1 victory over Venezuela, the debate wasn't how far did Crystl Bustos' monster home run travel -- a considerable 300 feet -- but whether USA Softball's recent success in tournaments such as the World Cup is hurting the sport internationally.

There was a time when the competitive balance of fastpitch softball on the international level was fairly even. During the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the distance between the pitching mound and home plate was a paltry 40 feet. Some, such as Hall of Fame softballer Michele Smith, contend this allowed for close games that any international team had a chance to win.

"Granted the games went too long but at least they were competitive and everybody had a chance to beat us. Australia had a chance to beat us and did. Japan had a chance to beat us and did beat us. China did the same thing. That's exciting."

Some fear the now standard 43 feet between mound and plate in international play, which was introduced to cut down on scoring, has produced a competitive advantage for a dominant USA Softball pitching staff that is almost impossible to hit.

And losing the Olympics might be the price we pay for success.

We're Number One

Everyone has a theory about what happened. Why a sport that seemed to be ascending in the world of international competition was suddenly removed from the Olympic repertoire after 2008.

Some, such as Smith, think softball got lumped in with the national pastime unintentionally. "I think they expected to make that decision for baseball and not for softball. It was a comedy of events for softball to get voted out." Others think it's nothing more than an Anti-American bias. (Check any softball message board for affirmation to this fact.)

Others, like shortstop Natasha Watley of the U.S. National team, think the international fan base just isn't there. "Softball is a great spectator sport. We have great fans here in the U.S. But I think that's where we're hurting. It's not a world-wide sport."

But everyone agrees that it's imperative to get softball back in the Olympics. Not just so players like Cat Osterman and Jennie Finch have places to throw their devastating riseballs but for countries who depend on international Olympic funding to support their teams and promote softball in their respective countries.

"I worry about the Australian teams--Italy, Great Britain, and Greece," Smith points out. "Any of the teams that were really starting to make some progress in the European countries where we have to get stronger--it's essentially going to kill them over there."

Beijing or Bust

No one doubts next year's games in China will be significant. Cat Osterman echoes the sentiments of many current and former USA softball players when she stresses how important it is for this generation of players to do well next year. "This is one of our last go-arounds. We're ready to put everything we have into it."

But ironically it may be the performance of the Chinese National Team that determines softball's chances for inclusion in the 2016 games. Of all the rising teams in international play, nobody has improved faster or spent more money leading up to the games than China. (China has sandwiched their trip out to Oklahoma City with a playing tour against pro teams in the National Pro-Fastpitch Federation -- with mixed results.)

So if you see some members of the USA Softball fraternity privately waving a Chinese flag during the USA/China game tomorrow at 8pm EST., you'll know it's not just case of conflicted loyalties -- but self-preservation.

Vicky Galindo: Sparkplug for USA Softball

mikeyactive — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 05:29:00 GMT

Vicky Galindo may be 5’4 but this former all-American from UC Berkeley is still a formidable offensive player for the U.S. National Team. Here she reveals how coaching softball improved her play on the field and just how important the next few months will be in determining whether she goes to Beijing.

As a fellow Berkeley grad myself I’ll start off with a very insightful and important question. It’s Friday night in Berkeley. You’re hungry. Do you go Blondie’s Pizza or Top Dog?

Oh, I love Top Dog. Top Dog all the way. Especially at two in the morning. (Laughs)

What do you think Cal softball has to do to overcome those pesky Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-10? (Arizona just recently won their 8th softball national championship.)

I don’t know. I’m going to have to go back and have a chat with those Cal girls. I guess I’ve got some phone calls to make.

On a serious note, Coach Diana Ninemire has had an astounding 20 straight winning seasons at Cal. What do you think is the secret to her success?

She’s just great overall. She definitely makes sure that the girls are taken care of. Because she works with what she has to work with. I mean, to be honest, we don’t have the best facilities for softball. Which is tough -- because we have such a great program at Cal. But she gets the most out of whatever she has and that’s why she’s successful.

What did you learn from her that you’ve applied here on the national team?

Just hard work and being able to be flexible. To play different positions. And being able to take a leadership role. That’s important to me and that started at Cal.

Speaking of different positions, you’ve bounced around a little bit in the infield playing both second and third on the national team. Is there one position you feel more comfortable at? Or does it not matter?

Before I played third base at Cal I was a middle infielder. I definitely like playing middle infield because you have more range – you can go after balls up the middle. I think playing three years at third in college and then moving from left to right back to second was a challenge at first. But right now I feel really comfortable.

You’re currently working as a softball coach at San Jose State. Do you find coaching helps improve your game on the field?

Absolutely. It’s huge. This is going to sound really silly. But as a coach, when players make mental mistakes and you’re like “Oh my Gosh! What was she thinking?” It makes me remember what it’s like to be a player.

And then I get out here as a player and make a mistake and I think “Coach is probably going to kill me.” It actually slows the game down.

Is coaching something you’d like to pursue after your playing career ends?

I think so. Depending on if I make the Olympic team, I’ll wait to start grad school. Otherwise I’ll start grad school and get a master’s and become a coach.

In the games leading up to the World Cup you’ve hit in different parts of the batting order. Do you take a different approach whether you hit top or bottom of the order?

Oh definitely. I need that. Sometimes I feel like I struggle with the mentality of hitting in different places in the batting order. When you’re hitting number two you’ve got to think “Hit the ball on the ground. Move the runners.” You’ll get different pitches up there than you will at the bottom. So you definitely have to think about it before you get in there and start swinging at pitches.

Any pre-game rituals or superstitions you’d like to share?

Not really. What usually happens is when the tournament starts and I have a good game I try to remember what I did before that game. If I wear my hair straight for five days in a row, then you’ll know it’s because I’m going well.

Besides winning the World Cup here, do you have any personal goals during the tournament?

For me I just want to make sure I don’t make any errors, that I don’t make any mental mistakes. I just want to play perfect ball. Because for me, personally, this is a big summer. We have our Olympic try outs coming up and I just want to make sure I secure my place on the team. Because you never know.

Speaking of the Olympics does the fact that there are no games in 2012 give the games next year some added significance?

It does. Especially for me. Because I started right after the girls got back from Athens in 2004. And every year you think, “Oh my Gosh! I don’t know if I’m going to make the team.” And then you keep making the team. And now it’s that last selection. So I really hope I make the team this year. To be this close and not make it would be…I don’t even want to think about it!

Any advice for those young softball fans -- even those who won’t attend Cal -- on what they can do to become an elite softball player?

It’s just really important to have that passion and that love for the game. That’s what got me to where I am. If you lose that it’s kind of tough. Just keep the passion.

USA Tunes Up With Win in Canada

mikeyactive — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:27:00 GMT

In a rematch of last year's World Cup of Softball final, the USA Softball National Team defeated Japan 5-0 in the championship game of the Canada Cup in Surrey, B.C. Jennie Finch continued her dominant play with four no-hit innngs, and Crystl Bustos made a good case for offensive MVP of the tourney with four homeruns and 12 RBI for a .500 average.

Tomorrow is an off-day for the girls, but then on Thursday begins the team's title defense of the World Cup of Softball III in Oklahoma City. Be sure to keep checking in for constant updates throughout the tournament

The World Cup of Softball...Take Three

mikeyactive — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:26:00 GMT

The third World Cup of Softball gets underway this week in Oklahoma City, and Active.com will be there to provide you with behind-the-scenes coverage of all the action. Michael Clarke and Trish Oberhaus report on what's happening on and off the field, with the hometown USA Softball squad, and all the teams from around the world. A bonus feature found on Active.com's coverage will be blogging by USA Softball star, Jessica Mendoza. Find out what it's really like to take the field wearing your country's uniform--and have sky-high expectations from the home crowd. The World Cup of Softball...July 12-16.