The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of the USA announced on Friday March 28 a preliminary 15-player-roster for the upcoming Olympic Games this summer. They are going for the four-peat, winning the past three Olympic Softball events. The tournament starts on August 12th.
Head Coach Mike CANDREA said, “I am very excited about this team and its ability to continue the excellence that USA Softball has come to expect at the Olympic Games. This team is built around a core of veteran players that bring a tremendous amount of International and Olympic Games experience. With the addition of some very good young talent, this team will be well balanced between speed, power, pitching and defense.”
Surprisingly long time idol Lisa FERNANDEZ (37 years old) was left of the roster, but could still get the nod, as she is on a replacement player’s list. Catcher Stacy NUVEMAN said, “It’s like Michael Jordan getting cut from the basketball team.”
FERNANDEZ said, she has no regrets. “I know I gave it everything I had. There wasn’t a corner cut or a practice missed. I just ran out of time. To me, the most important thing is that I know I gave it everything I had. But there were certain things I couldn’t control.” She made a comeback after missing the last three years of international competition.
“I was really hoping she would get close to where she was in 2004,” said U.S. coach Mike CANDREA. “She is still in my eyes the best player who has ever played this game. I wanted her to go out on top.”
The pitching staff is led as usual by Jennie FINCH. She is only one of three pitchers on the staff. Cat OSTERMAN and Monica ABBOTT will join FINCH. Overall they rely on ten gold medallists from 2004 and the all 15 won the Pan American Games last year. They outscored their opponents in Athens 51-1. Their Opponents in Beijing are the Netherlands, China, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Venezuela and Australia.
Complete Roster:
Monica ABBOTT, Laura BERG, Crystl BUSTOS, Andrea DURAN, Jennie FINCH, Tairia FLOWERS, Vicky GALINDO, Lovianne JUNG, Kelly KRETSCHMAN, Lauren LAPPIN, Caitlin LOWE, Jessica MENDOZA, Stacey NUVEMAN. Cat OSTERMAN, Natasha WATLEY
Eventual Replacements:
Lisa FERNANDEZ, Alicia HOLLOWELL, Jenny TOPPING
Check the USA Softball Site for profiles of the players.
Information of an associated press report was used in the article.