USA Women's Softball National Team: Softball at Its Best

For anyone who doesn’t know, I have spent a big chunk of life watching fast pitch. It fascinates me from the standpoint of speed and endurance.

My daughter Ashley played on a tournament team for four years. Those four years took us to Disney World, Roanoke, Va., Charlotte, N.C., Chicago, Peoria, Ill., for the Fast Pitch World Series.  Not to mention countless other trips to Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and the entire state of Ohio.

My weekends consisted of filling coolers, packing bags, and grabbing maps.
Some tournaments started out under the lights on a Friday night and some as early as 5 a.m. on Saturday. They are over at the end of pool play with single elimination.

I have sat through 100-degree temperatures, and I have watched my daughter take the field while listening to her cleats crack the iced dirt.

They would sometimes play four games a day.

Then there was the down time.

The hotels, go karts, putt putt, pools, team dinners, card games during rain delays. There are so many memories I will never forget.

Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza, and Kat Osterman would take time to talk to the girls, give lessons, and tell them it’s no longer a guy's world. And what lessons they were. We have met all three ladies.

The USA National Team decided to do some exhibition games in Ohio. Two in Canton yesterday and two in Ashland tonight. They will be playing a total of four games against the USA Women’s Softball Futures Team. Tickets were $15 and a group of us went. The National Team won both games.

We couldn’t stay for the whole second game, but felt like toast by then anyway.

Simply put. Softball at its best. In the sun. Reliving some old memories with good friends. I took some pictures I hope you will enjoy.

And go TEAM USA!

They leave next week for Venezuela for the Worlds.

Cat Osterman in warm ups

National Team Warming up

Such a Beautiful Day

Jennie Finch warming up on first

Kenzie Fowler (Arizona) warming up

Megan Langefeld (UCLA) taking batting practice

Megan Langenfeld (UCLA) taking some swings

Monica Abbott pitching

Future National Team

Natasha Watley

Cat

More Cat

Blurry Jennie Finch

Jennie Taking Batting Practice

Jennie Finch, Monica Abbott

Megan May, Megan Langenfeld

Stacy Nelson (Florida) starting pitcher for Futures. Brittany LaStrappes, Megan Langenfeld

Jennie on the Mound

Field of Dreams

One of the best pitchers I have ever seen. Monica Abbott

Jennie Finch takes her at-bat against Stacy Nelson

Starting to get dark...

Jennie playing first

Wicked Trio

Kenzie Fowler, Nikki Williams, Shawna Wright, Jessica Iwata, Blair Luna

Lauren Schutlzer, Kenzie Fowler, Valarie Arioto

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