The Heat is On

Well, well, well….it's time for the World Cup of Softball II and the heat is on.  Team USA comes into this year's event looking to avenge last year's stunning loss to Japan in the final and correct the current trend of losing to Team Japan.  Not only is Team USA feeling the heat, the temperatures in the big OKC don't look to be anymore forgiving than the continuous onslaught of Japanese pitchers and stunning team speed. Temperatures topped out at a whopping 103 degrees yesterday in OKC and the whole tournament looks to be baking in the 100 degree heat.  Now that's what I call an Oklahoma summer.  Welcome to our great state. Hope you enjoy your stay and don't forget to check out Bricktown while you are here. 

Ok, enough being an ambassador for the city, now on to the real stuff.  My true purpose for this blog is to give you a little insight into the happenings of the World Cup and to share a few experiences along the way.  This event really has grown up in a very short period of time.  It always amazes me how such a small staff at ASA can put on such a top-notch event.  Being a part of the team last year, you really begin to appreciate all the little things at an event that make it click.  As a fan, you tend to forget that most of the people working at the event are going ninety-to-nothing trying to make your experience one to remember.  If you attend the event in person this year, pay attention to the details and watch all the people involved.  It truly is an amazing thing to observe what it really takes to keep things running.  Give them a pat on the back and tell them job well done if you notice something good.  Cut them some slack if they look tired when you ask for something, because chances are they have been there since early in the morning and don't have any hope of going home anytime soon.    Most of all, appreciate what they are doing to make this event special for you and the people around you.  Without them, this event would still be a dream in most softball fan's minds. Enjoy the dream, it only happens once a year.

Coming into this World Cup, I find myself with some mixed feelings about the final outcome of this year's event.  Part of me thinks total dominance by Team USA would be a very exhilarating experience, really showcasing the talent level here in the States.  Working in girl's fast pitch softball the past year has really opened my eyes to the true depth of this sport from top to bottom. Girls devote their summers, their free time, and their parent's money to chase that dream of playing college softball and one day making the same team most of us are watching on the field this weekend.  The other part of me enjoys the competitiveness of the sport right now.  The emergence of Japan as a team to beat only helps the sport in the long-run.  Team Canada's stunning victory over Team USA last year continues to help develop young players at home and abroad.  This sport needs the parity to continue to grow into a force on the global scene. Slowly but surely the tide is turning in women's softball.  Team USA is still the team to beat, but Japan and the rest of the world is catching up.  Watch out folks, this could be a very interesting event! 

One day down, four more to go.  Team USA, Japan, and Australia stay true to form and take care of business as they set themselves up for a three-way dance to see who is the best in the world.  Stay tuned…more updates to come!