Interview with Laura Berg

Laura Berg is a three-time Olympian and USA Softball mainstay since 1996. We sat down with her to get her thoughts on what it’s like to be an Olympian and the U.S. National Team’s expectations for the World Cup of Softball II this week in Oklahoma City.

Let’s start with the tough question first. Where do you keep your three Olympic gold medals?

In a safety deposit box. (Laughs)

Can you tell us a little bit about the Olympic experience?

It’s kind of hard to put into words. It’s so exciting and an honor to represent the U.S and it’s just something I consider myself lucky to be a part of. When you walk out on the field and see the crowd cheering for you…it’s really something else.

What’s one thing about the Olympic experience that would surprise most people?

The great McDonald’s diet we eat in the village.

You’ve been called the “best centerfielder in the game.” Is there anybody you modeled your game on when you were coming up the national ranks?

Well I don’t know if you can say that anymore. There are some really great young centerfielders like Caitlin Lowe and others who’ve come up recently. I’d have to say players like Jim Edmonds and Willie Mays were players I tried to model my game after.

Has your work as an assistant coach for the Fresno State Bulldogs helped improve you as a player?

Definitely. It’s tough to sit and watch. A lot of times I’ll see a play and put myself in that situation and see what I can do differently. You can learn a lot in this game just by watching.

How did you first get involved in softball?

When I was a kid my parents signed me and my twin sister Randi up for little league. I was the quiet twin and pretty much copied what my sister did. That led to ‘Little Miss’ and ‘Bobby Sox’ and finally to the U.S. National team.

Turning to the World Cup—the team lost last year in the finals to Japan. Is there some added incentive coming into this year’s contest?

Absolutely. Whether we lost last year there was going to be incentive going in. We set expectations at gold and anything less is a disappointment. We definitely want to improve on what we did last year.

Any advice to our younger softball audience who hope someday to play for the National team?

Work hard and dream big. The sky is truly the limit so just go out and have a great time.

Comments

[Danielle Votendahl]

Hi Laura THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHAG BALLS FOR YOU AND THE TEAM. I HAD THE BEST 9TH BIRTHDAY EVER. WHEN YOU GO UP TO BAT IN CHINA I WILL BE HIGH FIVING YOU FOR GOOD LUCK!!! YOU ROCK!!! PLEASE WRITE ME BACK I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEND YOU A PICTURE OF US HIGH FIVING SO I CAN BE WITH YOU AND THE TEAM IN CHINA. HAVE A GREAT TIME IN CHINA EVEN IF YOU DON'T TAKE ME AS YOUR BAT GIRL.

[Danielle Votendahl]

Hi Laura THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHAG BALLS FOR YOU AND THE TEAM. I HAD THE BEST 9TH BIRTHDAY EVER. WHEN YOU GO UP TO BAT IN CHINA I WILL BE HIGH FIVING YOU FOR GOOD LUCK!!! YOU ROCK!!! PLEASE WRITE ME BACK I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEND YOU A PICTURE OF US HIGH FIVING SO I CAN BE WITH YOU AND THE TEAM IN CHINA. HAVE A GREAT TIME IN CHINA EVEN IF YOU DON'T TAKE ME AS YOUR BAT GIRL.

[Hayley]

I am a really big fan of the USA national softball team and I am really excited for this season tho start and for the summer olympics to start. Well, I hope that you have a great season and good luck to the team. love ya.

[Hayley]

I am a really big fan of the USA national softball team and I am really excited for this season tho start and for the summer olympics to start. Well, I hope that you have a great season and good luck to the team. love ya.

[Lauren Vasquez]

Hey Laura,,

im Lauren Vasquez... I realy admire you. I do play softball in Texas at Del Valle High School. I dont play center field but you have really motivated me to become a better softball player. Im a pitcher, catcher and 1st base. Seeing you play is awesome. I hope you continue to play and hopefully i will get a chance to meet you. You rock!! Thanks..

-One of your fans,
Lauren Vasquez

[Katie Ballinger]

Hey Laura!!
I'm such a big fan!
I met you last night actually!
You wouldnt believe how nervous i was to meet you.
=]
Well i hope you get this and write me sometime.
I would love to actually talk to you sometime.
Sincerly,
Katie Ballinger.
ps... I live in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
i said that already.

[Amanda]

hey laura i just wanted to say that it is ridiculous how they are taking softball out of the olympics...what are we too good?!?!?! i guess so, besides i just wanted to say i start varsity softball and guess what its outfeild!

[hayley henson]

Hi laura it was great to meet you at the potomac sports complex last night in v.a. .thankyou for letting my dad take pictures with you that made our day we missed the autogrph session due to our double header at wakefield park. you truelly are a perfect roll model for us younger girls moving up . please let us know the next time you are in town we would like to invite you to our house for dinner . thanks, hayley @washocox.net.@

[Katie Ballinger]

Hey Laura! omg you are like my favorite player! i'm a freshman in high school, i also play outfield! GO OUTFIELDERS! i would just like to say you are awesome and i would love to meet you! well have a great season!
See Ya, Katie Ballinger
P.S I live in Oklahoma

[weston james]

hello i do not know if you remember my son. his name is weston. he gave you a marlow softball fastpitch tshirt after the last game of the world cup. he would really like to know if you liked you tshirt??? he also gave cat a shirt. could you please let him know what you think of the shirt???