JOHNSON CITY—Little girls want to be just like her. Men stand awestruck at her beauty and body. Hitters hate facing her.
Welcome to Jennie Finch’s world, one of which we all want to be part.
While Lisa Fernandez, a three-time Olympic gold medalist who is with the National Team but didn’t make the 15-player cut for this year’s Beijing Games, is the sport’s icon, Finch is its most recognized player. And rightfully so.
Blessed with Miss America looks and a right arm which can fire pitches above 70 miles per hour—softball’s equivalent of a 100-mph fastball—Finch owns an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA title and a soon-to-be 2-year old son.
The face of her sport stood in a makeshift interview room at Howard Johnson Field Sunday after playing first base and going 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the U.S. National Team’s 24-0 rout of NAIA opponent Milligan and held court on several subjects.
On the crowd of 3,476 which turned out despite rotten weather
Finch: “There’s no greater feeling than wearing USA on your chest and walking into these stadiums. It’s like the smaller the town, the better the crowd. You get that hometown feel to it. Everyone is so excited to see you. We had no idea what we were getting into ... what a beautiful stadium. The people packed it and it was fun.”
On the reception accorded her for all her plate appearances
“I’m so very blessed to be able to do what I do. These fans have been great throughout my entire career and I’m so grateful for them. It’s just a celebration of our game and how far we’ve come.”
On this team compared to the 2004 Olympic team, which completely dominated the Athens Olympics
“This team is just as talented, if not more talented. We have such a great group of veterans, along with some rookies, and we’re very deep.”
On the International Olympic Committee’s decision to drop softball after the Beijing Olympics
“I was very disappointed. This is our game, this is our sport, this is our life. This is a blow. We’ve come so far and we’ve seen the sport grow so much. For that to happen was a shock, but we’re not going to let that deter our sport. We’re going to keep on fighting and pushing through, and hopefully, we can get it back in 2016. Obviously, the sport is huge here, but you go to China or Japan and that’s their one chance for a medal, so it’s even more heartbreaking for them. We still have the college game and the pro league (National Professional Fastpitch). We’re going to use the Beijing Olympics to prove that we still belong in the Olympics.”
On her marriage to former Major League pitcher Casey Daigle, who’s now in the Minnesota Twins’ system
“Probably the last thing we talk about is our sports, but it’s great because we can relate to what the other is going through. I’m a very lucky woman to have him. He’s given me an amazing, beautiful child. I enjoy rooting him on.”
On her impressions of Tennessee
“Tennessee’s beautiful country. We actually lived here for a season when my husband was with the Tennessee Smokies (in Kodak). I love it here because the people are so nice, so generous and so giving. I enjoy being in the south because of the great hospitality.”
About the only thing at which Finch has failed is Donald Trump’s Apprentice. As she notes in the team’s media guide, it’s the only thing from which she’s been fired.
Relax, Jennie. I don’t think anyone’s going to look at that as a red flag on your resume.
Other Notes from Sunday:
1. The playing surface at Howard Johnson Field was excellent. Ground crews worked on it until after midnight following an ETSU baseball doubleheader Saturday night, carving out a small dirt spot around second base to convert it to the shorter softball diamond. They also removed the mound. Give the ground crew an A-plus.
2. The fans’ enthusiasm, as Finch and so many players pointed out, was amazing. I arrived at the ballpark at 12:45, 75 minutes before first pitch, and there had to be 2,500 people already there. And they stuck around until the tailend of an 11-run fifth inning by the National Team.
3. The P.A. announcer probably caused pitcher Cat Osterman some ribbing from her teammates for a while. During pregame introductions, he referred to her as Cat Ostermayer before quickly correcting himself. The Texas lefthander is one of the sport’s most recognizable names.
4. The National Team’s oldest player, 33-year old Laura Berg, still runs as though she were 23. A three-time Olympic gold medalist, Berg is one of the fastest players on a team which relies on speed. Her younger, faster clone, Caitlin Lowe, patrols center field, with Berg in left.
5. Alicia Hollowell, who threw a no-hitter in Sunday’s five-inning game, was one of the three players who didn’t make the Beijing cut. Hollowell, Fernandez and catcher Jenny Topping, who belted a long homer in the first inning Sunday, will only go to Beijing if one of the other 15 players is injured.