![]() ![]() So I think that relationship might have hurt us. Softball is in a whole different situation, and we’re two different governing bodies. “I think softball being partners with baseball could have hurt us because baseball doesn’t require drug testing, and they don’t need the Olympics. If you look at any of the sports, there’s a rich tradition in a lot of the countries, and that’s what the Olympics is about - it’s about excellence. She said no, and offered two other explanations. I asked her if she thought the U.S.’s dominance in the sport was part of the reason it was pulled. ![]() “Our sport finally was growing, and 16 years isn’t very long for countries to establish their programs, but we were finally getting there.” We weren’t even in the lower half - we were in the upper half of all those ratings,” she said, defending the sport. “One of the reasons they usually pull sports from the Olympics is the ratings. I asked Finch why she thought it was excluded. Softball was an Olympic sport at Beijing in 2008, but it was rejected for the 20 Games. Our conversation turned to focus on softball’s status with the Olympics. Just competing, training with teammates, and working toward that common goal is what I miss.” Just with the camaraderie with my teammates - I think I miss that the most, along with competing. I definitely have so many great memories of playing. Focusing on your strength and working on your weaknesses, but knowing your strengths and letting those shine.”įinch retired from softball two years ago, but I asked if she missed it when she’s watching it or commentating. Too often we compare ourselves to others instead of just being the best that we can be. You just have to be smart, listen to your doctor, and listen to your body,” she said.Īsked what advice she would give to someone who aspires to reach her level as a softball player, she said it’s not about trying to be Jennie Finch. Sometimes a little break from the game helps you grow and not take being on the field for granted. She had a forearm injury in college, and a knee injury when she was younger. I think I used it as motivation keep working hard,” she explained.įinch said she had a few injuries during her career. “Looking back on it, some of those failures and slumps were some of the greatest life lessons. Just working hard through it and learning perseverance. “I think it’s a matter of taking the attention off yourself and focusing on your teammates and pouring that energy into your teammates,” said Finch, “and then eventually it comes back to you. Though she is known for being extremely successful during her career, I asked Finch if she ever had any slumps, and how she overcame them. It takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears put into it - hours and hours of it,” Finch told LBS.įinch says she began pitching seriously at age eight, and that she would practice every other day, and play on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. “A lot of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. So what does it take to reach that star level as a player? It will come down to Ricketts and Traina for the national title. Finch mentioned Oklahoma’s Keilani Ricketts, Alabama’s Jackie Traina, Cal’s Valerie Arioto, and Arizona State’s Katelyn Boyd as the players who have impressed her the most. She was right on - Oklahoma and Alabama are meeting in a three-game championship series that begins on Monday night. She mentioned Oklahoma, Cal, and Alabama as the teams from whom she was expecting the most. We also discussed softball’s efforts to regain Olympic status.įinch was touring on behalf of the Capital One Cup (see the current NCAA standings), and we spoke last Friday as the Women’s College World Series was beginning. LBS spoke with Finch, a former gold medalist and University of Arizona star player, about what it takes to reach that level as a player. National Team during two of the four years it was part of the Summer Games. Softball may no longer be an Olympic sport, but Jennie Finch was a key member of the U.S.
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