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Although I grew up with only a vague awareness of women’s softball, it was perhaps inevitable that I should become involved in it. When I was a child, my mom would toss the ball around with me in the yard, and she’d throw hard enough to make my glove hand sting. She’d occasionally hint at the fact that she’d been an accomplished softball player. There were even a few old photos of her pitching, wearing a uniform with a skirt. Then, in 1990, I married a woman who still proudly kept her old player photo buttons and All-Star team pictures. Now my 11-year-old daughter seems to have inherited all those softball genes. As a spectator, I’ve followed her into the winning world of women’s softball. During a recent tryout for a new 12-and-under season, I sat watching the girls warm up. Another dad joined me in the bleachers. While the girls chatted and threw the ball back and forth, he said, “This sport is much more of a social event than baseball was back in my day.” Softball vs. baseball It’s hard not to compare baseball and softball, and this softball dad was pointing out one difference between the sports that was initially startling to me. While the boys of summer sit rather quietly in the dugout and chew seeds, the vocal cords of the girls go nonstop, their voices chanting in sync with the game and at times an influential part of it. Softball is a sport that balances the masculine aspects of hard-nosed baseball with a dose of chatty femininity. Even the sports-minded softball coaches can’t avoid recognizing that many of their players are in pigtails. During tryouts, one of the coaches evaluating the girls shouted into his megaphone, “She can’t throw, but she’s cute as a bug,” when Bug, an all-star pitcher, flubbed a fielding drill. Bug soon demonstrated that she certainly could throw, as well as hit and pitch. The players are alternately tough and cute, and it adds to the charm of the game for the spectators. A few softball players even shed some tears after a sprained ankle or a tough loss. Despite my enjoyment of the girls-in-curls aspect of the game, the notion of Girl Power is an important part of softball. Stylish braids and even a tiny bit of makeup are acceptable, but there is a definite disdain for the passive, overly made up, girly-girl type. The high-volume dugout chants from the girls have a certain proactive edge to them: “We don’t play with Barbie dolls, we just play with bats and balls.” The softball, larger and softer than a baseball, is harder to hit deep and is sometimes difficult to dig out of a glove when throwing to a base. The ball and some of the rules are designed to reduce the rate of injury among softball players. Hitting in softball becomes more about finesse and decision-making on the base paths rather than brute power and raw running speed. But athleticism is still highly important. Move over, Bruins As in baseball, young softball players embrace the Anaheim Angels’ logo and gear. Unlike baseball, the ultimate aspiration of the top players almost always involves the blue and gold of the UCLA Bruins, winner of the College Softball World Series. On game days, my wife even braids my daughter’s hair to match that of one of the Softball World Series players. This summer, a new set of softball heroes is prepped to emerge. USA Softball is presenting to the world a women’s softball team that will likely dominate the competition in the upcoming 2004 Olympics in Athens. The USA Softball Women’s Olympic Team consists mostly of Southern California players. According to a USA Softball press release, during the “Aiming for Athens” tour in 2004, “Fans throughout America will have the opportunity for a first glimpse at one of the USA’s best bets for Olympic gold.” The tour began late last month with the Women’s Olympic Team playing in the Palm Springs Classic. Then the team travels the country, playing a variety of top college teams and tournaments. The final college tournament of the tour will begin March 16-19 at Cal State Fullerton. After that, the USA team takes on host national champion UCLA on March 28. In July, the team departs for the 2004 Olympic Games where they will almost certainly be among the medal winners. Local players dominate Individuals on the team with local connections include alternate Jaime Clark of Tustin, a shortstop and talented hitter who is on her second consecutive national team, and Lisa Fernandez of Long Beach, considered by some to be the best softball player in the world. Amanda Freed of Cypress, a 2000 Olympic team alternate, is also on the roster, as is second baseman Lovieanne Jung of Fountain Valley and shortstop Lauren Lappin of Anaheim. Other familiar local faces include Natasha Watley of Irvine, a strong hitter and shortstop; outfielder Leah O’Brien-Amico of Chino Hills; and catcher Stacey Nuveman of La Verne. Pitcher Cat Osterman of Houston, one of the few team members from outside California, is also well-known and has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. In 2002, the Women’s Olympic Softball Team captured its fifth consecutive World Championship title, qualifying as the top seed at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. With a total of 16 gold medals from the World Championships, the Pan American Games and previous Olympic Games, it’s a team you’d be foolish to bet against. See you in the stands Last year was a time of increasing recognition for women’s softball. This Olympic year will see this trend continue, especially in Southern California, which has emerged as a focal point for the sport. On any given weekend this spring, you’re sure to find me in the stands at a ballpark somewhere, with high-pitched chants echoing through the air: “We don’t wear no mini-skirts, we just wear our shorts and shirts. We don’t drink no lemonade, we just drink our Gatorade.” David Kries of Mission Viejo writes about families, sports and fitness for several regional publications. To reach him: davidkries@cox.net. The 2004 Olympic Team Roster: Laura Berg, outfielder, Santa Fe Springs (Fresno State) #44 Crystl Bustos, infielder, Canyon Country (Palm Beach C.C.) #6 Lisa Fernandez, pitcher, Long Beach (UCLA) #16 Jennie Finch, pitcher, La Mirada (Arizona) #27 Tairia Flowers, utility player, Tucson, Ariz. (UCLA) #11 Amanda Freed, utility player, Cypress (UCLA) #7 Lori Harrigan, pitcher, Las Vegas (UNLV) #21 Lovieanne Jung, second baseman, Fountain Valley (Arizona) #3 Kelly Kretschman, outfielder, Indian Harbour Beach, Fla. (Alabama) #12 Jessica Mendoza, outfielder, Camarillo (Stanford) #2 Leah O’Brien-Amico, outfielder, Chino Hills (Arizona) #20 Stacey Nuveman, catcher, La Verne (UCLA) #33 Cat Osterman, pitcher, Houston (Texas) #8 Jenny Topping, catcher, Whittier (Cal State Fullerton) #31 Natasha Watley, shortstop, Irvine (UCLA) #29 Jaime Clark, infielder, Tustin (Washington) #24 Nicole Giordano, outfielder, Saugus (Arizona) #4 Lauren Lappin, utility player, Anaheim (Stanford) #37 |
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