[Alsfastball] USA Softball Notes from Athens

[Al Doran]

Subject: USA Softball Notes from Athens
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 12:17:16 -0500
From: "Brian McCall" <bmccall at softball.org>


August 10, 2004 - USA SOFTBALL OLYMPIC GAME NOTES

The Olympic Three-Peat
On August 14, the two-time defending gold medal winning USA team will begin 
its journey to an Olympic three peat as they kick off the Games of the 
XVIII Olympiad at Helliniko Stadium in Athens, Greece. Set to battle Italy 
at 12 noon, the Red, White and Blue roster consists of four two-time 
Olympic gold medalists, two players from Sydney and nine new faces. 
Arriving in Athens on July 29, after a 53-game 'Aiming for Athens' tour, 
the team has continued with two weeks of practice before taking the field 
on the 14th.

USA Softball's World Ranking
The USA Softball Women's National Team is currently ranked No. 1 in the 
world and holds the top seed for the upcoming Olympic Games in Athens, 
Greece. The USA won its fifth consecutive World Championship gold medal at 
the 2004 ISF World Championships to qualify as the No. 1 seed for the 2004 
Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The U.S. has held the No. 1 ranking in the 
world for the past 18 consecutive years.
On February 20, the USA Softball Women's National Team began its 
barnstorming 30-city tour across the U.S. in preparation for the Olympic 
Games. Beginning with a collegiate tour, throughout February and March, 
they battled the top ranked college softball programs in the country. A 
record of 25-0 through the college portion, Team USA then traveled to Pisa, 
Italy for a one month training program. A series of exhibition games 
against the Italian National Team and Italian Club teams, Team USA was also 
able to tour Rome, Florence, Venice and Pisa. In May, the Red, White and 
Blue then continued on a barnstorming tour covering 22 U.S. cities thanks 
to the efforts of the Amateur Softball Association. Promoting the game of 
softball to youth of all ages, the U.S competed against a series of area 
collegiate All-Star teams. Following a 10-day break, Team USA then met in 
the DWI airport in Washington D.C. before their departure to Athens on July 28.

Softball Community Mourns loss of Sue Candrea
Sue Candrea, 49, wife of University of Arizona and USA Softball Olympic 
team head coach Mike Candrea, suddenly passed away on July 18 due to 
extreme complications caused by a brain aneurysm. Sue was traveling with 
Coach Candrea and the USA Softball Women's National Team in Stevens Point, 
WI, when she became ill.
The softball community across the nation wept as the news of Sue's passing 
spread. Mother of Mikel, 24, and Michelle, 21, Sue was a devoted wife, 
companion, caring mother, and treasured friend to all she met. After the 
recent passing, USA Head Coach Mike Candrea announced he would be coaching 
the team in Athens.

Going the distance
The USA dominated most of its competition on the 'Aiming for Athens' tour. 
Only 22 of the 53 games went the full seven innings and 27 ended after just 
five innings due to the international mercy rule.

Perfect and Almost Perfect
The U.S. pitching staff combined to throw four perfect games and 12 
no-hitters during the 'Aiming for Athens' tour. Of the 12 total no-hitters, 
Jennie Finch was part of nine and pitched in all four of the perfect games. 
Lori Harrigan worked in four of the 12 no-hitters. Texas Longhorn Cat 
Osterman (Houston, TX) had a perfect outing while visiting her home state 
in Ft. Worth on July 10 recording 13 strikeouts of the 16 batters she faced.

Formidable foes
The U.S. loaded its collegiate tour schedule with some of the top teams in 
the country. Eighteen of its 25 opponents during the college portion of the 
tour were ranked in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 or 
receiving votes.

70-0
Dating back to July 2003, Team USA is 70-0 in competition. This record 
includes play in the Pan American Games, Canada Cup, and 2004 pre-Olympic 
tour. Their last loss came to the USA Elite Team in a 1-0 walk- off home 
run decision at the 2003 Canada Cup.

Cable for Kelly
Comcast Cable, the country's leading cable and broadband communications 
provider, announced on August 9 that it will temporarily provide MSNBC for 
the Summer Olympics and just in time to watch Kelly Kretschman and the 
U.S.A. softball team hopefully win the gold medal.

Kelly Kretschman is a resident of Tuscaloosa and a member of the U.S.A. 
softball team. Comcast learned that the Olympic Softball competition would 
be shown on MSNBC, which is currently not on the Tuscaloosa channel lineup. 
To provide coverage of the Olympics and based on customer demand, Comcast 
will temporarily provide programming offered by MSNBC beginning August 10 
through August 29 on Comcast Channel 78.

"We know how important the Olympic coverage is to our customers, especially 
since we have a local person, Kelly Kretschman, on the U.S.A. softball 
team," said Jeff Osborne, area general manager for Comcast in Central 
Alabama. "We are pleased to be able to provide this benefit to our 
customers of Tuscaloosa."

Head coach Mike Candrea
Candrea led the U.S Women's National Team to its fifth consecutive World 
Championship in 2002 and its fifth consecutive Pan Am gold medal in 2003 
and has been charged to lead the U.S. to its third consecutive Olympic gold 
medal in Athens, Greece.

Candrea, taking a year leave from his post as the head coach at the 
University of Arizona, has developed the Wildcat softball program into a 
perennial powerhouse. In his 18 years of coaching at Arizona, he has won a 
whopping 982 games for an overall mark of 982-191 and a winning percentage 
of .838. Candrea's winning percentage currently ranks No. 2 among active 
college coaches and No. 2 all-time.

After taking over the Wildcat program, it took Candrea just two years to 
reach the NCAA Tournament and only three to reach his first NCAA Women's 
College World Series. Since debuting in 1988, Arizona made 16 consecutive 
appearances in the Women's College World Series and under Candrea has 
appeared in 11 of the 16 championship games.

In the 1990s alone, Candrea led Arizona to five NCAA Women's College World 
Series Championships (1992, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998) and a record of 
523-75, a percentage of .875. During that span, five teams recorded 60-win 
seasons. In 2001, Arizona collected its sixth NCAA Championship, defeating 
UCLA 1-0.

"I've been blessed with a great career, but nothing can match wearing the 
USA across your chest and representing your country at the highest level," 
said Candrea.

The Streak
The USA Softball Women's National Team completed the 'Aiming for Athens' 
tour on a 167-game win streak in pre-Olympic Tour competitions dating back 
to May 3, 1996. The USA suffered its lone loss in Los Angeles, CA to the 
California Select, 1-0. Since that loss the Red, White and Blue has won 167 
games and outscored its opponents 1,302-20.

Super Six!
There are six returning players from the 2000 Olympic gold medalist team in 
Sydney. Laura Berg, Crystl Bustos, Lisa Fernandez, Lori Harrigan, Stacey 
Nuveman and Leah O'Brien-Amico, all return from the 2000 squad. Amanda 
Freed and Kelly Kretschman served as alternates on the 2000 team but have 
now earned a spot among the final 15 players.

Wedding Bells
A couple of the U.S. players took advantage of the off season and got 
hitched. Tairia Mims got married on August 23, 2003 to former UCLA 
basketball player Jason Flowers, while Stacey Nuveman tied the knot with 
Mark Deniz on December 31st, 2003. Lisa Fernandez was married shortly after 
the 2002 World Championship to Michael Lujan and Leah O'Brien-Amico married 
Tommy Amico in 1999. Jennie Finch is currently engaged to Casey Daigle and 
plans to marry in October 2004. Mims Flowers will celebrate her one year 
anniversary on the day of the gold medal game.

Security Please!
The USA Softball Women's National Team should have plenty of security 
during the 2004 Olympic Games. If backup is needed, they will not have to 
look far. USA pitcher Lori Harrigan has worked in security for the Bellagio 
Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for the past eight years. Her odd hours 
forced her to train either very late at night or early in the morning, & 
this posed problems with finding facilities or people to catch for her. But 
she managed to find a way to train and earn a spot on three Olympic team 
rosters.  Harrigan, was selected to her first national team in 1992 and has 
earned on spot on every national team since with the exception of 2001 when 
she took the year off to work.

Big Shoes To Fill
USA rookie Cat Osterman grew up with two-time Olympian Michele Smith as one 
of her biggest idols. Now that one of the best lefties in the game has 
retired, Osterman will be looked upon to fill her role. Smith actually 
worked with Osterman at a youth camp years ago and has become somewhat of a 
mentor for this young phenom.

Transition Period?
Many thought the four years following the 2000 Olympic Games would be a 
transition period for USA Softball. With only six players returning from 
the 2000 Olympics (Crystl Bustos, Leah O'Brien-Amico, Stacey Nuveman, Lori 
Harrigan, Lisa Fernandez and Laura Berg), the USA has had to rely heavily 
on the talents of many young players. It has not been a problem as the U.S. 
captured its fifth consecutive World title in 2002 and its fifth 
consecutive Pan Am gold medal in 2003.

The transition hasn't seemed to bother USA head coach Mike Candrea either. 
"I like the mix of this team. We have some very good leadership at the top 
and our younger players are very talented. These players are the best in 
the United States and that's why their representing the United States at 
the Olympic Games."

Baby Jake
The USA Softball family has grown since the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, 
Australia. Jake Thomas Amico was born on July 6, 2001 to Tommy and Leah 
O'Brien-Amico.  Leah, starting first baseman for team USA, left Sydney with 
motherhood in mind and her softball career in question. She knew she wanted 
to start a family but wasn't quite sure if she was ready to give up the 
sport she loved. In November 2000, Leah was told she was pregnant. During 
the pregnancy softball remained in the back of her mind. She had it all 
figured out; give birth in July, begin training in August, attend the 
tryout camp in September.

Things didn't go quite as planned. Complications during labor forced Leah 
to have a c-section, therefore pushing back her recovery time several 
weeks.  The original September camp was moved to January following the 
September 11 attack.

At the conclusion of that January camp, Leah was named to the Elite 
Training Team (the top 22 players). Following the camp she was selected to 
her second World Team. Leah's dream was completed in January when she was 
notified that she had been chosen as one of the 15 players for the 2004 
Olympic roster. Although Jake will be not be in Athens watching his mom go 
for her third gold medal, he is getting to travel with her and Team USA on 
the majority of the grass roots portion of the 'Aiming for Athens' tour.

Waiting their turn - the role of an alternate
Two members of the 2004 USA Softball Women's National Team have played the 
waiting game. Amanda Freed and Kelly Kretschman were alternates on the 2000 
Olympic Team. They practiced with the team, lived with team & competed with 
the team until the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games.

At that time, alternates moved into apartments while their teammates moved 
to the Olympic Village, alternates watched opening ceremonies on TV while 
their teammates participated, alternates took their seats in the stands 
while their teammates took the field for competition. The alternates 
watched their USA teammates circle the field in jubilation after winning 
the gold in Sydney and dreamed of one day carrying the U.S. flag on their 
shoulders.

By making the roster for the 2004 Olympic Team, Kretschman and Freed these 
players take a step closer to realizing their dream of wearing an Olympic 
gold medal and taking the victory lap around the field with their teammates.

What's in a number?

Jennie Finch- #27, "My parents started dating on the 27th and it has been 
their number forever, and I ended up with it."

Stacey Nuveman- #33, "I wear #33 because Kareem Abdul Jabbar wore #33. I 
really liked his goggles and his sky hook, so I started wearing 33 for 
basketball (before I played softball) and the rest is history."

Laura Berg- #44, "I wear #44 because of Hank Aaron."

Leah O'Brien-Amico- #20, "I started wearing #20 for soccer my freshman year 
on Varsity in
high school, but in softball a senior had it that year. My sophomore year I 
got the number in both softball and soccer and have been wearing it ever 
since."

Simply the Best
Lisa Fernandez is recognized by most as the best softball player in the 
world. And while most think of her only as a pitcher, she is much more.  At 
1998 World Championship, Fernandez hit the game-winning home run in the 
bottom of the first and then pitched a one-hitter to defeat Australia in 
the gold medal game.

She has been in the circle in the past two Olympic gold medal games and the 
past two World Championship gold medal games.  When she is not in the 
pitching circle, she is playing third base. She may not be the fastest or 
the strongest athletes on the field, but she has one of the biggest hearts 
and a competitive desire that is unmatched. She is determined to do 
whatever it takes to ensure that her team wins every time it takes the field.

Look for Fernandez to once again be a major contributor to the USA's 
success during the Olympic Games in Athens.

Finch Phenomenon
Making headlines across the country, right-handed pitcher Jennie Finch (La 
Mirada, CA) has exploded into one of the nation's premier female athletes. 
She has been recognized by ESPN for several accolades and also co-hosted 
'This Week in Baseball' for Major League Baseball.

The Arizona Wildcat graduate was also seen at the 2003 NCAA Women's College 
World Series, but she wasn't on the field. Along with teammate Stacey 
Nuveman, she paired up with ESPN play-by-play personalities Beth Mowins and 
Michele Smith to broadcast the 2004 WCWS live.

2003 ESPN Awards: -Hottest Female Athlete; Wacky Bracket Page 2 Champion; 
Runner-up to Tiger Woods for Most Popular Athlete. She has been featured on 
NBC during the Pepsi Major League Baseball Slow Pitch Softball Game, People 
Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, Jimmy Kimmel Live, ESPN Sportscenter 
and a cover story in USA Today.

Finch is expected to be one the faces of the 2004 Games. With a successful 
performance, she could become the cover girl of the Games.

NCAA Natasha
On June 23, 2003, USA shortstop Natasha Watley Irvine, CA) put women's 
softball in the history books once again. Being named the 2003 Honda 
Broderick award winner, Watley became just the second softball player in 
the trophy's 28-year history to win the award. An award to honor the top 
overall Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year, the balloting involves all 
NCAA-member institutions, with nominees selected from among 12 women chosen 
as the most outstanding in their sports during the school year.

USA teammate Lisa Fernandez won the Broderick in 1993, and has been the 
only other softball athlete in the nation to ever receive the award. In 
2003, Watley was also a top three finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate 
Player of the Year, accepted her fourth straight NFCA First-team 
All-American honors, led the UCLA Bruins to the National Championship 
title, and took home her first Pan American gold medal.

Another interesting note about Watley is in 1999 she was not chosen to play 
for the U.S. at the Junior World Championships. She said after failing to 
make the team that she never wanted to have that feeling again and made a 
promise to herself to play the game everyday until she reached her ultimate 
goal---- -the Olympic Games!

Training with the SEALs
In effort with the USOC Sport Science Department, the USA Softball Women's 
National Team participated in a day long Navy Seals team training in 
October. An all day affair full of physical and mental challenges, the 
stressed tactics and team building has become a major aspect of Team USA's 
journey to the gold. From rope climbs, digging through the trenches, and 
flipping boats in the ocean, the team building day is one every athlete 
will remember.

Laura Berg and Nicole Giordano were a couple of players who completed the 
obstacle course.

"We certainly have a new respect for what the Navy SEALs do on a daily 
basis," Berg said. "It's amazing the dedication and focus they must have to 
be in this program."

Jason White of Softball
2003 Heisman Trophy winner Jason White made headlines after coming back 
from ACL tears in both his knees to lead Oklahoma to the Big XII 
Championship and a berth into the Sugar Bowl. USA catcher Jenny Topping 
knows exactly what he went through and once thought her Olympic dream was 
over.

During her freshman year at Washington, Topping suffered her first ACL 
injury while playing in just her eighth game of her freshman season. After 
extensive rehab she came back and continued her college career. In 2002 
just after being selected to her first USA Softball World Championship 
Team. Topping suffered the same injury in her other knee. Although she 
traveled with the team during the first part of the season, she returned 
home prior to the World Championships to undergo surgery and begin the 
rehab process all over again.

"I thought my national team career might be over after my second knee 
injury but I kept my Olympic dreams alive and worked very hard to put 
myself in a position to be considered once again." Topping was considered 
again and was selected to the Olympic roster in September and made the 
final 15 in January.

Something's Bruin!
Five UCLA Bruin alumni are among the 15 player selected to the 2004 USA 
Softball roster. Natasha Watley, Amanda Freed, Tairia Mims and Stacey 
Nuveman played together during the 2002 collegiate season, while Lisa 
Fernandez served as a volunteer coach. Now each will represent the USA at 
the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Cat vs. the Olympic Team
U.S. rookie pitcher Cat Osterman faced the 2000 Olympic Team as it visited 
Ft. Worth Texas on the 'Central Park to Sydney' tour as part of the Katy 
Cruisers 18-under gold team. No other pitcher on the tour had the success 
that this 17-year- old phenom had against the world's best. Osterman 
pitched five innings allowing only an infield single in the fourth inning 
to Jennifer McFalls and struckout an astonishing 11 batters. From that day 
on it was forecasted that she would be part of the Olympic team in 2004.

"WHO DO WE PLAY FOR..............USA!"
Listen closely to a USA Softball team huddle and you will hear these exact 
words led by Coach Candrea followed by a boisterous team "USA" chant. 
Dating back to February, this chant may sound familiar if you have seen 
Disney's recent blockbuster, "Miracle." A film based on the 1980 USA gold 
medal winning ice hockey team, USOC Sport Psychologist Jim Bauman brought 
Team USA to view the movie and it has now become a major aspect of their 
everyday road to the gold. He stressed the true spirit of family, 
determination and aspiration that each of those individuals carried with 
them to the medal stand.

USA Softball Media Policies
Publicity for USA Softball is coordinated by the USA Softball 
Communications Department. Photographs, statistics and feature ideas are 
available by contacting Brian McCall, Director of Communications at 
405-425-3463 or Julie Eversgerd, Assistant Director of Communications at 
405-425-3431.

Brian McCall in Athens- 693 678 1479
Julie Eversgerd in Athens- 693 677 2564
 From the U.S. -- call 011 30 first then #


Brian McCall
Director of Communications
ASA/USA Softball
405-425-3463
<mailto:bmccall at softball.org>bmccall at softball.org
www.asasoftball.com or www.usasoftball.com


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