World Cup of Softball

Final Comments... from Jessica Mendoza

We did it! We brought the World Cup trophy back to the US and we could not have asked for a better tournament. One of the main questions I was asked after the game from both reporters and fans was “What was the difference between last year’s team that lost and this year’s team that won?”

To answer that question in a few sentences, we were prepared. We have been training as a team since January. The training not only better prepared us physically, but mentally we were able to bond better as a team and get to know the new additions we have gained since the last Olympics. This training made us more the USA team I have known from 2004 and before. We could work on the little things that get swept under the carpet when we are in the middle of the summer season, but are so important for big games like last night.

It was great to see our team come together the way we did this week and perform. There were so many remnants of our team from 2004 and it was exciting. But I do have to say the most exciting part of this tournament, for me, were the fans. They were amazing! Not only was the game last night sold out, but I felt that all 6,700 fans were completely into it – cheering at every good play or hit, holding their breath, and even reacting to every call the same way we were. I always said I wish I could play in a stadium like a major league baseball player and tonight was living that dream. I really want to thank the fans who came out to support us this week. They made this World Cup much more memorable than I could have ever imagined. Thank you – our whole team appreciated every one of you!!!

Jessica Mendoza blogging about life on the road

I think some of my favorite memories will not only be the ones like yesterday, when we beat Japan on our home turf, but the experiences I get from my teammates while we are on road trips. It is interesting to spend time with the girls day in and day out and learn all of their different personalities and characteristics. We have the girly girls, and then the tomboys, we have the pranksters and comedians and then those who are super quiet and shy.

Conversations range from political discussions and current events, to religion, to different types of food and even to the status of TomKat’s (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) baby. These differences are what make life on the road full of laughs and memories. And although we have our differences in personality, the more time we spend together, the closer we are as a team.

As far as laughter goes, there is never a dull moment. For example, Crystl Bustos makes us laugh with her Carlos Mencina impersonations. Stacey Nuveman might give us a glimpse into her dream job as a drummer in a band, singing and using her “air sticks” to bang out the beat. Jennie Finch and Lisa Fernandez exchange stories about being a mom for the first time; the cute stories and even the stories we all can learn from.

Laura Berg always has a prank up her sleeve, whether it be putting a rookie’s jersey in a toilet with a Baby Ruth bar and some pineapple juice (she did this one to me back in 2002), or handcuffing Caitlin Lowe’s hand to a ball bucket so she is stuck carrying it around all day.

Whether we are in Athens or Beijing, Oklahoma City or San Diego, I will always enjoy all the laughs, the stories, and even the many insightful conversations for many more road trips to come! It definitely helps bring the nerves down for big championship games like today!

Michele Smith on the Hall of Fame and USA Softball

Michele Smith is one of the greatest softball pitchers of all time. She has won countless gold medals and helped put USA Softball on the international map both with her work at the Olympics and playing abroad in Japan. She is in Oklahoma City covering the World Cup of Softball for ESPN and we spoke with her to get her thoughts on a variety of subjects. This is Part I of our discussion where she talks about being inducted into the Hall of Fame and the current U.S. National Team.

Being inducted into the Hall of Fame and watching four blowout U.S.A. wins…it’s been a pretty good last couple of days, huh?

Yeah it’s been great. The U.S. team has been playing lights out. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame was great. Very cool. And doing it in Oklahoma City too!

Growing up as a little girl in Califon, NJ did you ever think you’d be in the Hall of Fame someday?

I never really thought about the end of my career because I was so involved in playing the next day. And because I still play professionally in Japan it was a shock all of a sudden. It was “Oh my god! The Hall of Fame!” So it really took me by surprise. I think a lot of athletes who get inducted haven’t been playing for awhile so they can think about it but it blew me away and came as a great shock.

Jessica Mendoza just wrote a very nice blog post about yourself and the other players that put softball on the map like Donna Lopiano and Dot Richardson. It must be nice to know the current players appreciate the ground-breaking players that came before them.

It’s a great feeling. For me when I was playing I’d look back on the Joan Joyce’s and the Kathy Arendsen’s who blazed the trail and never got to compete in the Olympic games --and then there we were in the first Olympics and the second Olympics-- and it made you appreciate those who came before you.

For these players today to recognize our accomplishments shows a trickle down effect and one of the reasons this sport has such a great tradition and winning spirit within USA Softball.

Let’s turn to the current team. What’s the difference between this year’s team and last year’s team?

Well I think this year’s team is more prepared. I think after Athens the team probably was a little bit spread out. They were playing in the Pro Leagues and they weren’t practicing a lot as a team. So I think this year they’ve had training camps January through June. And since June they’ve been training together and doing lots of great stuff. Softball is a team sport. The more the team is together the more they are going to gel. The more a team is hitting together you get that rhythm going. I think this is what we’re seeing. This team is very strong. This is an important year. It seeds softball for the Beijing Olympics so being sharp in World Championships is extremely important.

Is this one of the best U.S. pitching rotations you’ve ever seen?

I think it’s the best lineup I’ve seen. As far as the pitching rotation…unbelievable talent…but very young. But they’re getting their opportunities which is very exciting. In two-three years they’re going to be even better. And that’s what’s so important.

Because if you look back at the last decade of U.S. pitching within the Olympics the only three pitchers that have ever thrown in any medal games were myself, Lisa Fernandez, and Michele Granger in 1996. So there’s nobody else with that experience. So these young kids have got to get it now. This is a very key year for Cat Osterman, Jennie Finch, Jamie Southern, Monica Abbott, and Alicia Hollowell. They’ve all got to step up and with Lisa not playing this year they’ve got to learn how to play with pressure.

Post-game comments by Jessica Mendoza

You’ve been red-hot at the plate this tournament. Are you seeing the ball really well right now?

To me it sounds repetitive but more than anything I’m feeding off this crowd. How cool was that…two outs…everyone is there chanting ‘USA’ at the end of the game. I was jumping up and down until they hit me the ball and I’m like “Oh shoot, I have to catch this.”

But seriously I think more than anything I’m just feeling this crowd and feeling what it’s like to play for the USA. We don’t get to have this very often. The fans we’ve had here. There’s nothing better. Nothing better.

And in 102 degree weather?

I love this weather. It’s sweaty softball weather. (Laughs)

What’s your gameplan for tomorrow?

Ueno is a tough pitcher so I’ve got to shorten it up my stroke. But we’ve got an amazing lineup. Tasha and Caitlin are just on the fire. You basically hit anything and they’re going to score…they’re so fast. And with Bustos right behind me I got to make sure that I do my job so she gets good pitches to hit.

If your homerun in the fourth inning had hit the Escalade in right field would you have gotten to take that home?

Yeah I was wondering about that. Maybe I should ask somebody about that. (Laughs)

Jessica Mendoza on Hall of Famer Michele Smith

Today was a very eventful day. Besides playing two games against Australia and China, we also were able to see a softball great be inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame: Michele Smith. One of the biggest reasons why there is such an amazing feeling every time you put on a USA jersey, besides a love for this country, is to know who wore it before you.

From great names like Bertha Tickey, Donna Lopiano, and Kathy Arendsen, to even the more recent like Michele Smith, Dot Richardson, Sheila Cornell-Douty, and Michele Granger – who are all getting inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame this year. These women paved the way for what USA softball has become and set the highest standard of what it means to be a softball player in this country. I have learned more from these women about this game than I could have learned from even the best coaches.

I have learned how much passion it takes, how much hard work must be put in, but most importantly, I have learned that no matter what success is achieved, the ability to give back to those of the future is the most important of all. These are the things I think about when Michele Smith is being inducted and our whole team is looking on; she is one of the ambassadors before us, and it is now our job to carry the torch for the future.

Jessica Mendoza on pre-game superstitions

Today was similar to last night in that we had the day to ourselves and played at night.  It is interesting to see how a typical pre-game day differs from player to player.  For some, they like to sleep most of the day and wake up only to eat.  For others, they wake up early and want to ride the bike, go to the gym, or do something active early on.  Some even use this time to watch video and look at scouting reports to mentally prepare and visualize for our opponent that night. 

Now as time to leave for the game approaches, the superstitions start to kick in. Some might have to have a certain fruit or drink during their pre-game meal, or some have to hear a certain song on their IPOD a certain amount of times before we get to the field.  Or as I learned today, Laura Berg (who ALWAYS had her IPOD blaring on the way to games) now refuses to listen to it because the last time she did she had a bad game.  You will notice that even seconds before our games begin, Crystl Bustos is the only player to not give high fives as we run out when our name is called.  The first contact she has to make is when she shakes my hand as she comes out to the line.  Otherwise it is “bad luck”. 

Superstition and pre-game ritual is just something that is a part of softball, and you never question a player’s reasons, no matter how bizarre.  Because really, when it comes down to it, sometimes you need all the help you can get.

About July 13, 2006... from Jessica Mendoza

The World Cup has officially arrived!  There is no way to describe the feeling of playing a game on your home turf.  We always get to the field a couple hours before, do our normal routine that is similar to practice, and it really didn’t hit me until they were announcing the lineups for both teams that we were finally playing. 

As the announcer said, “And here is your team USA” the stadium erupted with cheer and chants.  Then it hit me.  This is what it’s all about.  Wearing this uniform, having USAacross your chest, taking the field and feeling and hearing the thousands of fans on your side.  I love it.  So, needless to say, there was certainly a fair amount of adrenaline and excitement pumping through my veins!   

It was also exciting to have Great Britain be a part of the World Cup.  European countries are getting stronger and stronger. The more exposure and support they get, the better it is for the sport.  Although it took us a few innings to really get going, I was happy with our team in our first game of the tournament and I am even more anxious to see how we will do against everyone else.  But as I said before, the true highlight for me has been the fans and the support our home country brings us.  Even after the game, I was surprised at how many emails and phone calls I received from those who were watching from home.  That is what makes me so proud to wear our country’s name across my chest, and gives me goose bumps every time we take the field!

Gearing Up... from Jessica Mendoza

Almost the whole team started off the day with some community service around Oklahoma City.  Crystl, Stacey, Amanda, Jamie and I went to a local library and read children’s books to the local kids, and even some that drove in from other states just for the games.  It was great!  I am truly a kid at heart, I had such a great time going through and reminiscing about my favorite books I used to read as a child: Curious George, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Green Eggs and Ham, and a ton more.  It was great to not only re-read these books for myself, but to actually read it to children with different voices and noises, while watching their reaction. It was very entertaining.

I would have to say the highlight of the whole time was near the end when many of the kids had left, and Stacey Nuveman decided to share with us her favorite book from her childhood, The Giving Tree.  Crystl, Amanda, Jamie and I proceeded to sit in the little chairs on the ground, while Stacey animatedly read to us like we were kids and we all gasped and ahhhhed at all the right parts.  If you can imagine the people who entered at that moment, and what they must have thought when they saw USA softball players sitting on the ground with big grins on our faces as we were read to by our very own teammate.  It was great!

After our time with the kids, we went for a quick lift with our new strength and conditioning coach, Brandon Marcello.  He has done a great job working with our team and covering so many important areas beyond just the weight room.  He keeps us sharp and works night and day to make us the best athletes possible, whether it be running mechanics, nutrition, or injury prevention, he really does it all and we are lucky to have him as a part of our already amazing staff!

Now I just need to calm myself down enough to get some sleep – I am excited for our first game of the World Cup tomorrow!