The Round Rock Express, Triple A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, had a Cat Osterman promotion last season. Cat bobbleheads were given to fans.
I have covered Cat's career for years, from National Pro Fastpitch to the Olympics to Athletes Unlimited. Cat retired after the AU season, with her legacy as one of the all time greats!
When I heard about the promotion, I set out to get one for my collection. It wasn't easy. Obviously, I wasn;t going down to Round Rock to get one. The team couldn't send one to me, because the demand was high and many other fans would want the same treatment.
I was determined though. Dteremination paid off. My source asked not to be revealed, but I am very grateful for the kindness.
Cat now joins other non-Chicago Bandits softball players Rachele Fico, Sarah Pauly, Sami Fagan and Kelley Montalvo on my shelf. That would be a great start to a softball team. If I add my Bandits bobbles of Jennie Finch, Amber Patton, Megan Blank, Megan Wiggins and Alisa Goler, it gets even better.
Cat Osterman has pitched her last professional game. Last season's Athletes Unlimited Softball champ, who made the announcement a while back, finished her career Monday, exiting to a thunderous response from the appreciative fans.
Yesterday, Cat went to social media to bid farewell.
Dear Softball,
It’s time this intimate relationship we’ve had ends. It’s not you… it’s me. You’ve had my heart for 28 years, and now I need it back, to invest it elsewhere. New experiences, my family, and cheering on everyone else who loves you. Let’s be real, this hasn’t a monogamous relationship! I share you with millions of others!
You’ve given me a second & third chance. You accepted and understood my change of heart and mind, while granting me so many amazing moments. And more importantly, you gave me so many amazing people.
This last chapter taught me what pure joy was. You allowed me to grow in so many ways with incredible woman. You granted me things I didn’t even know I needed. You helped me show a young girl what hard work, dedication and love can add up to, and for all this I’m indebted to you.
You let me go out on a high, surrounded by so many I cherish and I’m grateful. It was perfect. But still, I need to move on.
Our tango on the field has ended, but I won’t be too far away. I’ll share all you’ve taught me with anyone and everyone. I’ll help others love you the way I have, and I’ll be cheering loudly as you grow and give my peers continuous challenges and successes.
For the last time as an athlete, I say Goodbye to you.
- #38 formerly #8
Ever the class act, Cat ends her career by giving back a little more to her fans.
Others can write about all of Cat's accomplishments throughout her career. Cat's achievements can fill pages. I'm going to relay some personal reflections on Cat.
As a fan of women's sports, particularly softball, I followed Cat's career from her time at the University of Texas. When I started covering the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits, I conducted individual interviews with the Bandits. When the USSSA Pride came to Rosemont, I requested an interview with Cat. I didn't figure I would get one, but Cat graciously gave me her time. As the most in-demand athlete not with the Bandits, I'm sure Cat had a lot of other interview requests and I couldn't have faulted her if she declined, but she didn't.
Years later, when Team USA came to Rosemont to prepare for the Olympics, I again requested an interview with Cat and again did not expect it t happen. Once again, Cat gave me her time, despite the many requests.
Fast forward to this season at AU, Cat remained in demand, but she took part in many press sessions and meet-and-greets with fans. In fact, at the last weekend series, the line for Cat was cut off at one point, but Cat agreed to sign autographs and take pictures for another 30 minutes.
I have never seen athletes promote growing the sport as much as I have seen softball players do. Cat walks that walk better than anyone. Having a true great of the game giving so much of herself not only brings in more fans, it encourages other players to follow her lead.\
It has been an immense pleasure following and covering her career. It has been even a bigger thrill knowing Cat. She truly is a class act on and off the field to everyone.
Thank you, Cat, for everything you have done. I sincerely hope our paths cross in the future. You might be retired, but I know you won't stray far from the softball field.
Less than a week after Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse ended, AU Softball started its second season. After a year away from live action, it was great to be back live "On the Beat" in Rosemont.
Opening Weekend for Athletes Unlimited Softball featured the first no-hitter in AU history, walk-off home runs and more all played in front of a packed stadium in Rosemont. Softball was back and fans couldn't have asked for more.
In addition to pitching a no-hitter, Cat Osterman led her Team Gold to a 3-0 record. Victoria Hayward's Team Blue was 2-1, Jessie Warren's Team Orange went 1-2 and Erika Piancatelli's Team Purple went 0-3.
Despite her dominating performance, Osterman is in the unfamiliar second spot on the leaderboard with 490 points. Sahvanna Jaquish claimed the top spot with 498 points. Tori Vidales (468 points) and Lilli Piper (438 points) round out the top four spots. These four will be captains next week, drafting those teams later today. Just missing the top four were Odicci Alexander (428 points), Haylie McCleney (420 points) and Aliyah Andrews (418 points).
The individual game MVP's were:
Game 1-DJ Sanders, Aleshia Ocasio, Amanda Chidester
Game 2-Tori Vidales, Odicci Alexander, Sahvanna Jaquish
Game 3-Taylor McQuillin, Sashel Palacios, Carrie Eberle
Game 4-Cat Osterman, Tori Vidales, Aliyah Andrews
Game 5-Gwen Svekis, Aleshia Ocasio, Ali Aguilar
Game 6-Lilli Piper, Haylie McCleney, Sahvanna Jaquish
The Week Two Draft takes place at 5 PM CST today. Team captains are Jaquish (Gold), Osterman (Orange), Vidales (Blue) and Piper (Purple). Check back here tomorrow for the draft results.
The Ballpark in Rosemont never looked better. In the right field concourse, there is a batting cage and a pitching area. There is a merchandise truck out front, featuring a large line of cool AU apparel. In-game host Kacy Standohar is all over the place, interviewing players and having fun with fans. The Ballpark was alive.It was a fantastic Opening Weekend and it looks to continue all season.
AU returns to the field Saturday, September 4 at 3 PM CST. Team Osterman battles Team Vidales. For the second game, Team Jaquish faces Team Piper at 6 PM CST. Check GWSR social media for updates and back here for the Week Two recap. Also, be sure to check out AU Softball coverage by Bruce Miles on AUProSports.com for more info on the league and players.
Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.
With the Olympics happening and softball being the leadoff event, this si the perfect celebrity encounter to feature. I am proud to say I facilitated this one, too!
While being "On the Beat" with the Chicago Bandits in 2019, I was also "On the Beat" with Team USA, who were in Rosemont for a week of training and exhibition games.
IWhen I needed help one night, I called on my old friend Jodie, who brought her son Danny. After the game, as Jodies was helping taking picture of me with Team USA players, Danny wanted a few for himself. I suggested he take a pic with Cat Osterman. If you want to take pictures, you should get one of the best. On a team of elite softball players, Cat stands out as one of the greatest of all time.
Cat will be helping Team USA go for the gold in the Olympics. Then, she will defend her Athletes Unlimited championship (also in Rosemont). After all of that, she will be retiring.
The lesson here is to enjoy Cat on the international stage and catch her in Rosemont if you can. This is your last chance to see one of the all time greats still in action.
For more info on the Olympics, go to TeamUSA.org. Go to AUProSports.com for news on the second season of this new softball league which starts after the Olympics. Finally, check CatOsterman.com for news on the legendary pitcher.
As the Athletes Unlimited season came to an end on Monday, once again Cat Osterman was in the spotlight. Osterman's Team Yellow went 3-0, while she finished with 2,480 points to capture the Athletes Unlimited championship.
Osterman's teams went 12-3 for the season. She had 95 strikeouts with a 1.53 ERA and pitched six complete games and two shutouts.
For her efforts, Osterman received a gold medal after the final game. She also became the first entry into the Book of Unlimited, a 500-page book which will record every AU champion.
September 26
Team Warren (Orange) beat Team Ocasio (Purple) 7-4
Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Piancastelli (Blue) 9-5
September 27
Team Warren (Orange) beat Team Piancastelli (Blue) 15-9
Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Ocasio (Purple) 15-2
September 28
Team Piancastelli (Blue) beat Team Ocasio (Purple) 9-8
Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Warren (Orange) 18-3
Standings
Team Osterman (Yellow) 3-0
Team Warren (Orange) 2-1
Team Piancastelli (Blue) 1-2
Team Ocasio (Purple) 0-3
Final Leader Board
1-Osterman-2,408
2-Jessica Warren-2,020
3-Victoria Hayward-1,860
4-Erika Piancastelli-1,840
Outfielder Haylie McCleney Named GEICO Defensive Player of the Year
The final week of games saw a season high 104 runs scored. That brings the season total to 362 or 12.06 runs per game. These numbers make Osterman's 1.53 ERA even more impressive.
In the post-game media sessions, I asked the players for their biggest takeaways on the season. Erika Piancastelli, Amanda Chidester, Jordan Roberts, Tori Vidales,Anissa Urtez, Katiyana Mauga, Taylor Edwards, Morgan Zerkle, Cat Osterman, Jessie Warren gave insightful answers, but as each gave her thoughts, a definite pattern formed.
With the whole league living in “the Shield,” a term coined by Osterman (naturally), the players lived as a group for more than five weeks. Basically every experience was shared by all. Bonds were built. Friendships were forged. Memories were made.
This was an experience unlike any other. Six weeks or so ago, 56 elite athletes arrived in Rosemont excited and ready to start playing softball again. As the first players in the inaugural season of Athletes Unlimited, these pioneers were under the microscope.
As previously mentioned, AU utilizes a unique concept. It is run by the players for the players. It features a fantasy-like scoring system, which has teams redrafted every week.
While these athletes were happy to be playing again, it came with unusual pressure. The first class of athletes would set the tone for the league going forward. AU came with much hype and hope and the players needed to prove the concept, which they ultimately did in spectacular fashion.
Through it all, I never saw any signs of pressure from the players. In fact, I saw quite the opposite. The players looked happier than I have ever seen athletes.
From a fan's perspective, I admit I was a bit unsure about the scoring system and changing teams. After watching a few games, I started to get the concept and more importantly, I actually started to like it.
My only lingering questions about the scoring center on playing time. What is the incentive for non-starters? Those players will always be on the lower end of the leader boards. Maybe that is just part of the experience though. Sort of like rookies in sports, maybe they need to work their way into the lineups.
Another thing to note is the value of a two-way player. Players like Aleshia Ocasio, who pitched and played the field, could rack up big points. Ocasio missed a week of play due to a family emergency, yet still finished in 11th place with 1,584 points.
Lastly, winning innings and games was of major importance. Infielder Abby Ramirez finished in 20th place with 1,380 points, despite a .125 batting average. Obviously, Ramirez benefited from being on winners, but those winners benefited from Ramirez's presence on the team.
I am still not entirely sold on the changing teams though, but that's probably more a product of my age. I do see the fun and excitement of the weekly drafts and the strategy that goes into each. I don't know if that has staying power or how it would work with an expanded league.
My questions are minor points in my overall review of the debut season of AU. This was a major success. I saw the reaction on social media. I saw and heard all of the players unanimously praise the league.
While I was disappointed that the pandemic prevented fans and media from being in attendance, the games became must-see television for me. The post-game media sessions were Zoom meetings, but we had plenty of time to talk to each player and the players made them interesting and enjoyable. I didn't imagine enjoying the Zoom interviews as much as I did.
I really have nothing but praise for the entire Athletes Unlimited season. Like most people, I came into the league with high hopes and a few questions. My hopes were exceeded and my questions were answered. Athletes Unlimited softball has a bright future and I look forward to other AU Sports debuting.
For more info on the AU Softball league and their future plans, go to AUProSports.com. The fun has just begun!
Thank you to all involved with Athletes Unlimited for the access and hospitality all season. It has been a great experience.
Last weekend, Athletes Unlimited softball started with some surprises, but ended with something familiar. Once again, Cat Osterman was at the center of the focus.
Just when it looked like Osterman was unbeatable, almost untouchable, the unthinkable happened. For the first time all season, Osterman's team lost a game and Osterman actually lost a pitching decision. You can't keep Osterman down though. She finished the weekend with a masterpiece last night.
Monday nights are magical for Osterman. In four Monday night starts, Osterman is a stunning 4-0, allowing just two runs.
Week Four Final Results:
September 19
Team Warren (Purple) beat Team Reed (Orange) 2-1
Team Hayward (Blue) beat Team Osterman (Yellow) 4-1
September 20
Team Hayward (Blue) beat Team Reed (Orange) 8-3
Team Warren (Purple) beat Team Osterman (Yellow) 11-0
September 21
Team Warren (Purple) beat Team Hayward (Blue) 7-5
Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Reed (Orange) 2-0
The weekend saw pitching be the focus. A few pitchers took no-hitters late into games. The offenses scored a total of 44 runs, down 35 runs from last week and also a season low.
Aleshia Ocasio returned from a leave of absence and promptly threw a complete game three-hitter on Saturday. Ocasio was in the zone all weekend on the mound and at the plate. In doing so, she jumped back into the top four spots on the leader board.
Season Leader Board
1 - Osterman 1990 points
2 - Warren 1580 points
3 - Piancastelli 1510 points
4 - Ocasio 1508 points
Other highlights included Sahvanna Jaquish belting two homers on Saturday and Sunday. Also, Jaquish and Haylie McCleney went deep back-to-back on each day. In a humorous moment, Samantha Show put one over the left field wall right into the hands of AU CEO Jon Patricof, while he was being interviewed on air by Eric Collins and Danielle Lawrie. Of course, ending the week with a 2-1 pitching clinic was the capper.
The weekend media sessions featured Ocasio, Erika Piancastelli, Jessie Warren, Haylie Wagner, Jaquish, McCleney, Samantha Show, Kelly Barnhill, Morgan Howe, Jessica Burroughs, Shelby Pendley, Osterman, Gwen Svekis and Hannah Flippen. Maybe because of familiarity, the sessions seemed a bit looser and more casual than usual. The sessions are always fun, but this week seemed to have a bit more humor.
AU writer Bruce Miles handled the game situation questions as usual. Check AUProSports.com for his game coverage.
I asked the players about a wide range of topics. With only one week of play left, several players gave their thoughts on the experience and leaving “the Shield,” as Osterman has dubbed the Rosemont facility. Clearly, the players are already emotional about the impending end of this season. While they all have played for many years, the experience of staying with each other like this was like no other.
Piancastelli and Svekis talked about being behind the plate, working with pitchers who were dominating and handling a potential no-hitter. Part is fun, part is pressure, but mostly it is simply handling a pitcher like always, with very little thought of the ongoing no-hitter.
One very interesting moment was when I asked about the next season for AU. Ocasio answered “I don't know,” but the AU Media Rep's answer was more telling. I tried for the scoop, and while I did not get one directly, the answers indicate plans might be in place, but not released to the public yet.
I understand their thought process. AU will want to make a big announcement about next season. A scoop here would have been great for m, but not as big for AU. I will stay on it and I expect an announcement, perhaps even shortly after this season, capitalizing on the momentum built.
In a bit of a shocker, Cat Osterman (Team Yellow) made fellow lefty pitcher her number one pick in the Athletes Unlimited Week 5 draft. For the first time this season, Osterman did not make catcher Gwen Svekis her top pick, but she did take Svekis later in the draft.
In Monday's post-game press session, Osterman said she was “keeping my cards close to my chest this week.” Had she already planned on taking Wagner? Was this a late curveball? Was she just tired of battling against Wagner every week? We will ask her about that in the weekend's press sessions.
One thing is certain. Osterman wants to end the season in a strong way. A 1-2 punch of Osterman and Wagner gives Team Yellow a lethal combination. Already holding the top spot on the leader board by a large margin, Osterman looks to lock up the season championship.
With the second pick, Jessie Warren (Team Orange) took pitcher Danielle O'Toole. The lefty pitcher is the only player to be selected in the first round every week.
The rest of the first round saw Erika Piancastelli (Team Blue) pick the red hot catcher Sahvanna Jaquish and Aleshia Ocasio (Team Purple) select pitcher Jessica Burroughs. Piancastelli probably will use the versatile Jaquish at a position other than catcher, since she already has a solid one in herself.
Familiarity was the key for Ocasio in this draft. Ocasio, who had a brilliant return from a short leave of absence, selected seven players she had previously taken. Currently sitting in fourth place in the overall standings, Ocasio is looking to move up, although Osterman will be tough to catch.
In one of the strange twists caused by the unique draft system, all four of this week's captains played together on the same team in Week One. Teammates the first week, now they will battle each other to end the season.
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League has come a long way in a mere few weeks. It all comes to a big climax this weekend. Athletes Unlimited ace writer Bruce Miles vowed we (the media) “will finish strong” and we will have to do just that to match the players who will certainly finish with a memorable weekend of games.
Another week is in the books for Athletes Unlimited. Like the previous weeks, Week Three provided a little bit of everything.
The final two games saw a pitchers' duel and a blowout. One Pendley sister (Nicole) robbed the other Pendley sister (Shelby) of a hit, but Shelby rebounded with a big home run. Speaking of home runs, there were many hit this weekend, including two off the bat of Stephanie Mauga in one game.
Some things remained the same however. Cat Osterman came out on top with three team victories and two pitching wins, including a brilliant 2-1 win over Team Piancastelli and Haylie Wagner, who also pitched a masterpiece.
Week Three final results are:
September 12
Team Piancastelli (Orange) beat Team Sanders (Purple) 7-4
Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Reed (Blue) 6-4
September 13
Team Piancastelli (Orange) beat Team Reed (Blue) 8-7
Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Sanders (Purple) 12-9
September 14
Team Reed (Blue) beat Team Sanders (Purple) 18-1
Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Piancastelli (Orange) 2-1
Standings
Team Osterman (Yellow) 3-0
Team Piancastelli (Orange) 2-1
Team Reed (Blue) 1-2
Team Sanders (Purple) 0-3
Week 4 Captains
Osterman, Reed, Victoria Hayward and Jessie Warren
Scoring was up this week. With a bit of help from the 18 run explosion yesterday, 79 runs were scored in total. That is up big time from Week Two's 61 runs. Again, the sample size is still too small to draw real conclusions, but it's interesting to note the scoring differences.
Osterman has a big lead in overall points and looks to be at the top when the season ends. While these athletes are all competitive, Osterman now has a bigger target on her back. Who, if anyone, will be the first to beat her or her team?
In other Athletes Unlimited news, pitcher Aleshia Ocasio will rejoin the league and is eligible for the Week 4 draft. Also, former Cal State Fullerton pitcher Trisha Parks has been added to the roster pool. Parks joined AU when Ocasio left for a family emergency. After passing the AU health protocol, both players will practice and remain with the league for the remainder of the season.
In media sessions with the players, AU writer Bruce Miles covered the game situation topics for articles on AUProSports.com. I ventured into other topics, including the players' causes, the playing conditions after the rain, the upcoming draft and more general interest topics.
One especially interesting part was Aubrey Leach discussing her grandmother Wilma Ann Williams-Leach, who played professional baseball for the Rockford Peaches in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The elder Leach played in 1953, but died in 1993, before Aubrey was born. Still, she remains a source of pride for Aubrey.
Also especially fun was Megan Wiggins, who is obviously enjoying the league immensely. Wiggins joked about the wet conditions, speed on the bases and hitting home runs, She also gave a big shout out to playing in Rosemont.
Games resume on Saturday, September 19 at noon CST as Team Warren will face Team Reed. All Week Four games will be televised on an ESPN station or the CBS Sports Network, but check your local listings.
Athletes Unlimited Softball wrapped up another exciting weekend of softball action at the Ballpark in Rosemont, Illinois. The six games had a little bit of everything.
Cat Osterman's teams remained perfect, adding three more wins to the three wins from the first week of play. Osterman pitched two gems, including a 2-1 nail-biter to end the week.
Team Ocasio had a solid week, but just couldn't beat Osterman. Despite losing two of three, Team Hayward had the biggest offensive explosion, scoring 13 runs in their second game. Team Show went 0-3, but lost two tight games.
Week 2 final results are
September 5
Team Ocasio (Purple) beat Team Show (Orange) 6-4
Team Team Osterman (Gold) beat Team Hayward (Blue) 5-2
September 6
Team Hayward (Blue) beat Team Show (Orange) 13-5
Team Osterman (Gold) beat Team Ocasio (Purple) 5-4
September 7
Team Ocasio (Purple) beat Team Hayward (Blue) 9-5
Team Osterman (Gold) beat Team Show (Orange) 2-1
Standings
Team Osterman (Gold) 3-0
Team Ocasio (Purple) 2-1
Team Hayward (Blue) 1-2
Team Show (Orange( 0-3
Week 3 Captains
Cat Osterman, Aleshia Ocasio, Janie Reed and DJ Sanders
Overall, scores were down from last week. It's too small of a sample size to call any trend. Last week, there was more offense, with teams scoring a total of 74 runs, while this week, 61 runs were scored.
Going into Week Three, one question is a main topic of discussion. Will Osterman ever lose? She's running away with overall points. She'll be captain again. As a captain, it is important to have a dominating pitcher and Osterman immediately starts off with the best, herself.
In the media session, I asked Osterman about the pressures and duties of being the captain. Would she like to just be a player for once? Of course, knowing her, I could have guessed tht answer. Sh loves it. She even stated she is having as much fun as ever. Competitors l;ike Osterman are never “just players” regardless of captian tiles.
One aspect of Athletes Unlimited that doesn't get enough exposure features the athletes playing for various causes they chose. Part of the financial aspect of the game involves players earning bonuses which go to these chosen causes. In the media sessions, I asked the athletes to discuss their chosen causes.
As seemingly everything else with Athletes Unlimited, this is a unique situation. I know of no other professional sports league where the players earn money for their charities. Many athletes have charitable causes, but there is no other league that does it like Athletes Unlimited. The next time someone mentions the greed of athletes, feel free to mention Athletes Unlimited.
We see the athletes' passion on the field every game, but this was an opportunity to see their passion for a given cause. As you will hear, some athletes are playing for local organizations, which others are playing for world-wide organizations.
In media sessions all weekend, I asked players about their chosen causes. Hannah Flippen, Nerissa Myers, Morgan Howe, Erika Piancastelli, Jessica Warren, Nadia Taylor, Janie Reed, DJ Sanders and Cat Osterman discussed their chosen causes. As I wrote, the causes are varied, but the emotions in these athletes. In a league for and by the athletes, this is something they decided to do to give back. It's a part of the league that deserves more exposure.
The Week Three draft is being held tonight. Check Global Women's Sports Radio for the results and our continuing coverage of Athletes Unlimited. For more info on the players and the league, go to http://www.AUProSports.com.
Athletes Unlimited finished their first round of play on Monday with a shutout and a nail-biter. It was an exciting and fun weekend for the players and the fans alike.
Week 1 final game results are:
Game 1 - Team Warren (Orange) beat Team Fagan (Purple) 11-3
Game 2 - Team Wagner (Gold) beat Team Pendley (Blue) 18-4
Game 3 - Team Warren (Orange) beat Team Pendley (Blue) 10-2
Game 4 - Team Wagner (Gold) beat Team Fagan (Purple) 6-2
Game 5 - Team Fagan (Purple) beat Team Pendley (Blue) 7-6
Game 6 - Team Wagner (Gold) beat Team Warren (Orange) 5-0
Team Wagner (Gold) 3-0
Team Warren (Orange) 2-1
Team Fagan (Purple) 1-2
Team Pendley (Blue) 0-3
The final leader board is
1 Osterman-604
2-Show-524
3-Hayward-490
4-Ocasio-464
5-Leach-440
6-Piancastelli-440
7-Reed-440
8-Warren-440
9-Mauga-430
10-Ramirez-410
10T-Sveiks-410:
As the top four positions on the leader board show, next week's captains are Cat Osterman, Samantha Show, Victoria Hayward, and Aleshia Ocasio. Drafting will take place Tuesday.
The first weekend of games proved several points. With two pitchers and two offensive players in the top four spots, the scoring system is solid and represents both aspects of the game.
Additionally, 18 of the top 20 player scores came from the undefeated Gold team and the Yellow team who was 2-1. The Purple team at 1-2 took two slots and the Blue team, without a win, was shut out of the top 20 spots. That proves the scoring does balance team performance with individual performance.
I admit I was a bit skeptical about how the scoring system would balance all things, but I knew the league had run the numbers and various scenarios and I gave them the benefit of any doubt. The first round of games wiped out all doubt and proved the viability of the system.
Last weekend also proved that the fans are watching and loving it. Social media was on fire all weekend on the Athletes Unlimited pages and various softball and player pages. The overwhelming response is positive. At first, the lack of softball this summer might have been a contributing factor to the interest level, but in the end, the players, games and concept are the main draw.
Finally, Round One showed how much the players love the game. Every player had smiles all weekend. Even in the toughest of moments, maybe even especially in those moments, players couldn't and wouldn't hide their enthusiasm.
The press sessions were equally as interesting. Players took turns patiently explaining the scoring system. I think we all get it now fortunately as we head into week 2. Players stressed how team performance is not undervalued in the system and the results prove that. Players also explained how the scoring system mirrors the existing softball mindset of win the inning, win the game, keep it going. The difference is now points are officially awarded for achievements.
Once most of the scoring questions passed, thoughts turned to the next draft, the fan appreciation, the love of the game and other regular softball questions. As I have previously stressed, it is a new concept, but it doesn't affect the beauty of the game. In the end, this is softball at the highest level played by the most elite players in the world.
I first saw Cat Osterman pitch for the National Pro Fastpitch USSSSA Pride. My interview with her from then can be found at On the Beat With Cat Osterman.
Of course, I had heard of Cat long before her NPF days. She was a star pitcher for the University of Texas.
In her four seasons with the Longhorns, Cat went 136-25 with a .50 ERA. She had 2265 strikeouts in 1105.2 innings pitched. Basically, she was dominant.
Cat was the first pick in the 2006 NPF draft. Ultimately, she wouldn't make her pro debut until the following season with the Rockford Thunder. In eight NPF seasons with the Thunder and the Pride, Cat went 95-24 with a .91 ERA and 1260 strikeouts in 809.1 innings.
Throughout her college and pro careers, Cat also pitched for Team USA. On the international stage, she went an incredible 63-4 with a .39 ERA and 878 strikeouts in 446.2 innings.
With softball returning to the Olympics in 2020, speculation started that Car would make a comeback. The talk ended quickly as it turned into a reality.
Turning 37 in 2020, Cat wasn't exactly a senior citizen, but she was a bit old for Olympic softball, especially after being retired for a few years. Of course, "retired" didn't mean inactive for Cat. I am quite sure she remained in great shape. Still she had a way to go to get into game shape, but I had no doubt she would get there and she did. I discussed all of this with her in my interview which can be found at On the Beat With Cat Osterman of Team USA.
When Team USA played exhibition games in Rosemont last year, I requested an interview ith her. It' not often I can interview one of the greatest of a given field. Actually, within minutes, I interviewed Cat and Monica. That is a 1-2 greatness combo.
With the pandemic, the Olympics have been postponed until 2021. The good news is nothing was canceled and we just have to wait one more year. That's one more year for Team USA to get ready.
I cannot wait to see Cat and all of my other softball friends go for the Gold medal.
You can follow Cat at CatOsterman.com. You can go to TeamUSA.org for all the info on the team and individual players. As always, I will be covering the team here, for Global Traveler and the Patch.
When I featured softball legend Cat Osterman last Friday, I wrote that I hoped to get some interviews with Team USA. As you saw Saturday, I interviewed Monica Abbott. Today, I have my interview with Cat.
After a Hall of Fame career in the NPF and two Olympics, Cat retired from playing. She continued coaching however. After softball was announced for the 2020 Olympics, Cat made the decision to come out of retirement.
The interview reveals a little about Cat's decision and mindset about coming back. You can see the determination in her face and hear it in er words. Cat revealed how long she has been working at the comeback.
There are so many layers to the comeback. While Cat has stayed close to the game through coaching, returning to the field, especially at this level, is a totally different story. Would she be able to regain enough of her old form to compete for a roster spot on Team USA? Would she regret the comeback? She was putting herself out for everyone to see.
I am quite sure Cat had a certain level of confidence before she made her announcement, but I also know training and competing are different. She would never really know until she was pitching in real games.
Last weekend, Cat appeared in games against the Chicago Bandits and the USSSA Pride. In all honesty, she was not in her prime form, but she is close and she has a year to further sharpen her skills. Considering her path to get here, she is probably on schedule. Don't misunderstand me though. She is still pitching at an elite level, just not yet at her previous peak Cat level.
Of course, she is a bit older and spent time without truly competing. None of that matters when the Olympics come around. It's not about effort or relative success. It is about performance.
I write all of this to be objective about where Cat is now. I do believe she will be fine by July 202 for the Olympics. This is all part of the journey. You can't expect her to simply step back on the mound and be the best.
Cat and Monica are an elite one-two punch. They are arguably the two best pitchers ever. In short series, dominant pitching is hugely important. Monica and Cat have the ability and durability to log in a lot of innings.
You can follow the progress and get all of the news about Cat and her teammates at Team USA. Check back here for recurring coverage, including my interview with Rachel Garcia tomorrow.
Cat Osterman has done it all on the softball field. She was a 4-time All-American at the University of Texas, a 2-time medal winning Olympian and a 6-time National Pro Fastpitch All-Star. Cat retired from pro ball after the 2015 season and is currently an assistant coach at Texas State University.
When it was announced that softball was returning to the Olympics in 2020, Cat put her retirement on hold and dedicated herself to making Team USA. As it stands right now, Cat will be on that team in Tokyo in July 2020. For now though, Cat is with Team USA in Rosemont, IL.
Team USA is in Rosemont at the Chicago Bandits facilities through the end of the week as part of the exhibition schedule. Tonight, Team USA plays the Bandits in a doubleheader. Tomorrow, Team USA plays a split doubleheader. The first game is against the USSSA Pride and the second is against the Bandits. On Sunday, Team USA faces the Bandits again to close out their stay in Rosemont.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Cat back in 2014, when she was pitching for the USSSA Pride. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Cat Osterman. It was such a thrill to talk to Cat. She is a great person, in addition to being one of the all-time great pitchers.
Along with Cat, I have had the honor of interviewing Jennie Finch and Monica Abbott. The three of them are possibly the three best pitchers ever. Team USA featured two of those three. Monica joins Cat to play for Team USA.
Having Team USA play in Rosemont is a rare opportunity to get a glimpse at the future Olympic team. It is also the chance to see some of the best players in the world up close. Other great players include Rachel Garcia, who just won the NCAA title with UCLA.
This transcends just softball. This is history. I'll won't be in Tokyo to see the team perform, but I will be in Rosemont watching them practice and play exhibition games. I also hope to get a few interviews and some interesting stories. Check here for coverage.
Check ChicagoBandits.com for more on this series and the Bandits. Check TeamUSA.org to learn more about the Olympic softball team.
Cat Osterman, Jennie Finch and Monica Abbott. In the world of women's softball, it doesn't get any better than those three women pitchers. They would be my Mt. Rushmore of softball pitchers and I don't even need a fourth to complete the monument.
Combined, they went 298-74 in college and 304-74 in the NPF (National Pro Fastpitch), with 2 gold medals and 3 silver medals in Olympic play. All were/are dominant, feared pitchers and all will be Hall of Famers.
I had the pleasure of covering Monica for 4 seasons in the NPF and Cat for 2 seasons. Jennie retired before I started covering the NPF, but I have gotten to know her a bit from her return visits and clinics with the Chicago Bandits. I have also had the honor of interviewing all three.
Over the last couple seasons, I have started building a small, but meaningful NPF memorabilia collection. Cat recently sent a signed ball. I now have signed balls from the Big 3."
Any softball collector would want these three, but these balls mean more to me than the stats would dictate. Cat, Jennie and Monica are all class acts. I have been around them enough in public and behind-the-scenes and I have seen three athletes who were fierce competitors, but also great ambassadors for the game.
Several years ago, as a visiting player, Cat gave her time to me, a reporter from an unknown website. Jennie has done the same while juggling clinics and a long line of fans at the Bandits ballpark. Monica took time away from her birthday celebration to give me an interview. Monica also joined the autograph line after she returned to Chicago and no-hit the Bandits.
These three softballs sit proudly on my shelf. They represent three of the all-time greatest. They also represent (perhaps more importantly) great memories I have from my years covering the NPF.
Thank you Cat, Jennie and Monica! #CatchOn
Cat Osterman (top), Jennie Finch and Monica Abbott.
