Team USA Softball Is In Rosemont

I joined softball fans worldwide in cheering when softball was reinstated for the 2020 Olympics. Team USA would be going to Tokyo to bring home gold. For now though, Team USA is in Rosemont for games against the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits and the USSSA Pride.

After many years of effort by softball advocates, softball was first included in the Olympics in 1996. It remained an Olympic sport in 2000, '04 and '08, before being removed in '12. A new movement landed softball back in the Olympics for 2020.

While softball fans everywhere rejoiced, softball players started to develop Olympic dreams and work on attaining that goal. Yesterday, I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing three of those players.

I already knew Monica Abbott (Tennessee 2007) from her years playing with the Chicago Bandits in the NPF. Monica was one of the most dominant athletes I have ever seen in any sport on any level. In four seasons at the University of Tennessee, three seasons on the US National team and ten seasons in the NPF, Monica had allowed less than a run per game. She also compiled a record of 228-76. She has also pitched in Japan for several seasons.

I met and interviewed Cat Osterman (Texas 2006) five years ago when she was pitching for the USSSA Pride. Cat also maintained a level of dominance throughout her career. In 19 seasons with the US National Team, the University of Texas and the NPF, Cat had a record of 290-54, while allowing less than a run a game. Cat retired after the 2015 season, but the lure of the Olympics brought her back to the softball diamond.

Rachel Garcia (UCLA 2020) is the young gun on Team USA. Fresh off of winning the Women's College World Series (and being named Most Outstanding Player) with UCLA, Rachel is a blossoming star on the mound and at the plate. Heading into her senior season, she is already a two-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. Clearly she will be the gem of the 2020 NPF draft, but the pro league will have to wait for the Olympics.

As great as these three players are, they are joined on Team USA by other elite softballers. Ali Aguilar (Washington 2017), Valerie Arioto (Cal 2012), Ally Carda (UCLA 2015), Rachel Garcia (UCLA 2020), Jazmyn Jackson (Cal 2018), Sahvanna Jaquish (LSU 2017), Hayley McCleney (Alabama 2016), Kirsti Merritt (Florida 2016), Michelle Moultrie (Florida 2012), Dejah Mulipola (Arizona 2020), Aubree Munroe (Florida 2016), Shelby Pendley (Oklahoma 2015), Janie Reed (Oregon 2015), Keilani Ricketts (Oklahoma 2013), Delaney Spaulding (UCLA 2017) and Kelsey Stewart (Florida 2016) all carry a resume full of records and achievements. At the risk of stating the obvious, this team is loaded.

I am fortunate enough to know several of these players from their time in the NPF. I have covered a lot of athletes in several sports and these women are at the top of the list in terms of dedication, passion and commitment to the sport now and to growing it for the future. I have seen them sign autographs and meet young (and older) fans for hours after games. I have seen the emotion in their faces and the love in their actions. It has been heartwarming and faith-restoring.

Today, Team USA plays the Bandits in a doubleheader starting at 4 pm. They play a split doubleheader tomorrow. At 4 pm, they play the USSSA Pride and at 7 pm they play the Bandits.

This is a rare and awesome opportunity to see the future Olympic team in action. Of course, the Bandits and the Pride are full of great players, too. The two teams have met in the NPF championship series six of the last nine seasons, with each winning three times.

For softball enthusiasts, this is about as good as it gets. If you've never been to a game, there is no better time than tonight and tomorrow. I'll be “On the Beat” and reporting back here as usual.