CAT'S CORNER

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This game I love…

Wednesday, January 12, 2011 | 35 Comments

28608_10100243789620520_7913921_61833013_4071460_nSince the day I graduated high school in May of 2001 my life has been non-stop softball.  Literally 2 days after graduating I was off to San Diego for my first National Team tryout.  Every summer since, for 10 years, I have donned the Red, White and Blue in June, July and some times August.  In between I went to school, played at the University of Texas, took a coaching job, taught at clinics, spoke at conventions, etc.  It’s been a HUGE piece of my life. Sometimes I look back and can’t believe it has been that long.  Unfortunately though, my tenure with team USA won’t reach 11 years, at least not this summer.

In the recent weeks, I’ve had to make one of the hardest decisions I’ve been faced with, which is to take a sabbatical from USA Softball this summer and compete solely in the NPF (National Pro Fastpitch).  Unfortunately, the schedules conflict too much leaving many of us to choose one or the other, which is never easy.  The NPF has been trying to grow and promote our sport without the full commitment of us Olympians, and I feel like now is the time where we give them our commitment in order for the league to grow and give more women a chance to continue playing after college.

Team USA has been my life for so long, I can’t imagine this being the end all.  I hope somewhere in the future, maybe even as soon as 2012, that I again wear Red, White and Blue.  I can attribute a lot of my maturing and growing in this game to my opportunity to be involved in the USA program from a young age, and I will forever be grateful and appreciative for the chance to represent our country and play the sport I love.

A new year is upon us, and with a clear view ahead of what’s in store, I know it’s going to be one of the best years the NPF has had.  Softball has given me so many things, words can’t begin to explain them, but the most important thing it has given me is an extended group of sisters who I can run to.  We are all united in our efforts to grow softball and make as many avenues available as possible.  For now we focus on the NPF, with USA still in our hearts.  With that being said, to the next group of USA members, wear the uniform with Pride and Respect.  Many before you and me paved the way for us all to play… carry on the tradition.

See you on the field… #8

  • http://twitter.com/MS_chicka19 Marissa

    what all of you are doing is amazing. i definitely think you all will make so many advances with the NPF and i think that you can make NPF as big as MLB or even BIGGER!!!! good luck with everything. even though it will be different not seeing you in the red white and blue this summer, i know you are still cheering them on!!

  • http://twitter.com/andersun16 John Anderson

    I applaud your decision. Team USA is certainly important, but the NPF is the best chance of making softball a viable option for more girls in the future. Besides, there is too much talent out there for one team. Using MLB and the NBA as examples, a domestic professional league is the best way to spread the good word of women’s fastpicth softball. Just get a team here in the Northeast! (I miss my Force!!!)

  • Anonymous

    Cat, good luck and I hope tha softball will continue to grow in the world and with all the efforts will be back in the Olympics someday! I hope this brave step will help the NFP and softball overall! Good Lucky! – Jeroen Hijmans (Netherlands)

  • Anonymous

    I commend you on sacraficing your love for Team USA to help pave the way for many other female athletes of the future. You’ve accomplished just about everything anyone can do on the field for themselves and teams, but to be able to contribute to the “bigger picture” is something more valuable. Good luck!

  • Anonymous

    I have always prayed for your success. I wish you complete success and a heart filled with graditude. You are truely one in a million- and a friend I will never forget! God Bless you & please keep us all posted! xoxo
    Your sister sittin’ eattin’ Oranges, thinking of us,
    Jac

  • Anonymous

    It’s amazing how unselfish the Olympians are to take a break from the national team to help the NPF/softball grow and give all young softball players a brighter future. Now that’s a TRUE role model. I live in Rhode Island but this is the reason why I plan on taking at least one trip this summer to see a few NPF games.

  • Anonymous

    You are such an inspiration to us all! Can’t wait to see you play again!

  • Anonymous

    Cat….You are truly an amazing person! A true inspiration to all of us! Thank you for setting such a great example for our girls!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1432608090 Richard Hogeda

    Well said, my friend….well said.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dina-Banash-Kwit/668904331 Dina Banash-Kwit

    Nicely sad Cat!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5OJH2SL2MTZY2UEFCVHCDKSTYM William Coward

    My daughter is 9 years old and when people ask her what she wants to be when she grows up she replies, ” A professional softball player”. Thank you Cat and all of team USA for what you have done and what you are doing to make that possible for her.

  • Anonymous

    The Team USA players have always been great role models for young girls. Now with the actions they are taking to build the NPF, they are role models for us all. For years as a fastpitch coach I have told my players that if they work together and support eachother the team will succeed. This priciple is being demonstated by these women who are woking together to make the entire sport a success. Just as MLB remembers Robinson, Mantle and Ruth, NPF will remember these women and their legacy. They be remembered not only as the greatest players in the game, but also as the players who made the game great

  • Anonymous

    Good luck!
    I am 14 and I absolutely love to pitch. You have been a great rolemodel for me ever since I started pitching. Thank you!

  • Anonymous

    Thank you to you and your Team USA teammates for making this sacrifice for the good of the game. I have coached high school girls fastpitch for several years and understand the dedication and hard work you have put in over the years for the sport you love and are a great ambassador for. Your selfless actions will give the players of tomorrow a chance to realize their dreams. You are a hero to many of the girls I have had the privilige to coach and I couldn’t think of a better role model for them than you!!

  • Anonymous

    Cat, for everything you’ve already brought to the sport and to Team USA, thank you, and as a fan of the NPF I thank you for making the commitment, and wish you the best of luck.

  • Anonymous

    I’m a 16 year old player who really love softball and, since I started pitching, you have been a great rolemodel for me. The team US made me fight for my dreams. Looking the softball situation in the world, or especificly in Europe (I’m European), I always wanted, when I’ll grow up, fight for softball, teach girls and make softball a big sport. I’m so glad that you have decided fight for it, and you are encouraging me to follow with me “future project”. However, I have to say that I want to see you again in the mount. Thank you for all you do, and encouraging girls fight for her dreams!! Best of luck!

  • Anonymous

    I’m a 16 year old player who really love softball and, since I started pitching, you have been a great rolemodel for me. The team US made me fight for my dreams. Looking the softball situation in the world, or especificly in Europe (I’m European), I always wanted, when I’ll grow up, fight for softball, teach girls and make softball a big sport. I’m so glad that you have decided fight for it, and you are encouraging me to follow with me “future project”. However, I have to say that I want to see you again in the mount. Thank you for all you do, and encouraging girls fight for her dreams!! Best of luck!

  • http://www.facebook.com/andy.caporuscio Andy Caporuscio

    Cat:
    I’m a lefty like you who has a good circle change, courtesy of watching Mike Mussina, an average sidearm fastball, and an average curveball. I have cerebral palsy and have some trouble with balance. What is the best pitching stance for me to use considering my physicaal limitations?

    A response would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you for your time.

    Andy Caporuscio III
    State College, PA
    Edinboro U of PA
    BA (History, 1992) and MA (Counseling, 1996 with Student Personnel Services focus)

  • Anonymous

    Good choice, Cat. One day maybe they will make a movie about you and the ladies that committed themselves to NPF – like they did in “League of Our Own!” Thanks for paving the way for generations to come!

  • Anonymous

    I think your decision is great and look forward to seeing you play in the NPF soon!!!

  • Anonymous

    HOW WAS THE SUPER BOWL TO BAD IT WASNT THE RAIDERS WELL MAYBE NEXT YEAR BABE. WILL YOU EVER BE IN LOS ANGELES IAM DYING TO MEET YOU CANT WAIT TO GET YOU AUTOGRAPH ALRIGHT SEE YA.

  • Anonymous

    As tough as a decision as this was, it is the right thing to do for the future of the sport. I will miss you this summer at World Cup. It won’t be the same w/o you in the Red White and Blue. I’m excited though with y’all being united and only playing for the NPF to see what happens this summer in the NPF. It should be an exciting summer. I Hope the NPF will be able to expand soon to the midwest . Best of Luck to you and Megan in Japan. This should really help y’alls careers. It’s probably both exciting and a little bit scary but you’ll do just fine. You two are the best pitcher and catcher in the World and all you have to do is take care of each other. I hope someday I’ll get to see you pitch again in person but then again how many more years do you have left in your arm. I’ll always cheerish watching you pitch againt Japan at 2009 World Cup. That will always be one of the best days of my life. Just Take Care of youself enjoy what life gives you and be Thankful for all the opportunities God and softball have given you. You are Gteat #8 always have been and always will be

  • Anonymous

    I’ll miss watching you pitch in Red, White, and Blue! Good luck!!

  • Anonymous

    I’m personally a catcher, but that doesn’t matter because your pitching technique is truly inspiring to me.Good luck in your career, can’t wait to see you play.
    ~liz

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_44XUXN77LZLZ5ZYXA454WGW3CU Gracie

    Cat Osterman,

    Why did you want to play softball?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QSYJ3EVA62LX6DYTWJL2UEIXRY Brandee

    We were very disappointed with you at the Smithville softball game. My daughter has held you as a softball idle until you refused to take a minute out of your day to sign her softball. One minute out of your day would have meant the world to her. Instead you make comments like you were not at the game as “yourself” and did not want to sign autographs. You had the best chance to encourage some softball players, but you chose to shoot their hopes down. What a shock and disappointment. You lost fans that night and the sad thing is that I don’t think you would really care. You are not at all like I thought you were. Girls were very upset and I hope you found yourself.

    • Anonymous

      Don’t be so hard on Cat. It’s not fair to say she don’t care she might have been having a bad day or been a little stressed out as she has a lot going on right now but to say she don’t care isn’t fair

  • Anonymous

    You being at my sisters games lately has really meant a lot. I know the girls are loving having a great icon in their stands (parking lot) cheerin em on. She’s an amazing pitcher, and I know she looks up to you. Hoping she follows in your footsteps the best she can and makes a career out of the thing she loves most!

  • Anonymous

    hi cat,i have watched my nehibors daughter pitch and swing the bat for almost 8 years now,she and her sisters even had a picture with you some time ago in illinois,well to make a long story short,you are my nehibors girl top softball idol,she even wears number 8,and at age 10-her father who is her travel ball teams coach took the team wich is the “indiana raiders black” last year to the b-east “nsa”world series in chatanooga tn, and won the 10u championship,that lil kid pitched her heart out in that very hot weather and now is playing 12u with same team-just see how far a lil picture went,thanks cat

  • Anonymous

    Hey cat it’s Lexi I don’t know what is wrong with my account and just wanted to say I started travel ball and my team is Burbank fusion and just wanted to still working on my pitches I have a curve and drew then a change up and as always a fastball well hope to get this account working talk to u later peace

  • Anonymous

    im 7 and i play softball non stop. i pich 7 days a week. but no one will cach for me so i pich to a tree.

  • Anonymous

    I LOVE softball, and Cat Osterman is my idol. im going to the cat osterman experiance and cant wait to go… i hope i will get to meet Cat

  • Anonymous

    When i grow up i wana be on the USA team… and im only 12 but i play on a 12U B team and have played 14U before and now since this new ‘rule’ about u cant go to 14U and come back to 12U im sad i cant play on the 14U team anymore

  • http://profiles.google.com/georgiakrb1 georgia kirby

    my name is georgia i play softball in probably one of the smallest towns ever, ok maybe not that small.I am going to be 12 in June and I love softball more than anything ! I start softball this May and I didn’t sign up for tournament team this year, which can reallly help . Ever since I broke make ankle last year in tournament team sliding into home plate, I am scared to try tournament team. I know I want to be on the USA softball team when I grow up and tournament team is probably my only chance at making it .Please help me with this descision.
    Love,
    Georgia

  • goalscorer204

    my name is stephen and i am 14 years old i loved softball since the 1st world cup of softball and cat osterman has always been my favorite. bad news just keeps on happening starting with softball being eliminated from the olympics, usa losing to japan in the 2008 finals, jennie finch retiring, and now all the players leaving the national team. its hard to even watch usa play anymore. but softball is growing and itwould be nice to have a pro league that isnt a joke. I just hope it doesnt die out like women’s soccer pro leagues in the us (wps and wusa) whic hwould be like wasting some valuable us softball years. good luck cat and i hope this works out for you and your teamates.