Major Upset - Japan Takes Gold Over the USA
WOW! I just watched the Olympics Final and have witnessed a major upset as Team USA was defeated by Japan in one of the most surprising upsets in these Olympics.
That will be a huge disappointment for the young ladies of the US Team considering the expectations and the fact that they have who worked incredibly hard probably just like all other softball olympians in the world as well.
We have to congrats Japan and their pitcher Yukiko Ueno who threw 28 innings in 24 hours all by herself!
What does this mean for the sport of softball?
Softball is very healthy sport in the world, especially in the USA where it has never been better. This might actually help teh case of softball get back into the Olympics by showing the world that softball isn't just dominated by one country but is an international sport unlike the perception that softball isn't a global sport.
All I can conclude with: "Games are played on the field, not on paper." Let's remember that as a highly valuable lesson for our young ladies.
I would love to hear you thoughts and you feelings about this major upset in the history of our sport.
You can comment by leaving your comments here or leaving your comments on my softball discussion forum
Congratulations to all athletes that have taken part into the Olympics for giving us an incredible display of their talent over the last 2 weeks.
Marc
What about you? What are your thoughts on this subject?
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Comments on Major Upset - Japan Takes Gold Over the USA »
Marc,
You are right this is a very valuable lesson, one my girls just had to learn, last year we were runner up in the Little League Senior Softball World Series, we went home, lessons learned.we worked crazy hard all year, rewatched our ESPN game over and over always trying to improve. fast forward to two weeks ago, through regionals and pool play of the World Series we out scored some very good teams 103-6 now comes the crossover game us (Central) -vs- Latin America on paper there is no contest, but that is why you play the game,
international play in softball is growing by leaps and bounds. We lose the game to Latin America 5-4, We then play Asia Pacific for 3rd place and win 1-0 as Latin America goes on to win the 2008 senior World Series. My point is these countries are working extremly hard at the game, and want to knock America from their pedestal. The Coaches from Asia Pacific, Say in 3-4 years China who they played to get to the World Series won't be far either, I will say, I would love to see a best of three, anyone can have a bad game, but I would still take my chances with Team USA any day of the week! And from everything I've seen with our Girls playing ASA and NSA the future of American Sotball is only going to get better! Thanks for your time,
Andy Bozman
South Bend, Indiana
Marc,
Michele Smith hit it right on the head when she said that team USA could be in trouble because of their lack of facing quality pitching. They were shut out late last Spring by Virginia. Who's pitcher threw a gem of a game. The same pitcher who was denied the right to pitch on this very Olympic team. So with all the build up of Just how great is team USA, and how dominate are they as hitters? Well it seems they are pretty dominant when it comes to the countries that lack dominate pitching. It showed in their total run count. But when they are up against true competition. It seems they just were not good enough. Had they seen more quality pitching as Michele Stated, they could have prepared more for the medal round. They were lucky to beat Japan two nights ago. This time, they weren't so lucky.
This comment from Michelle Smith is relevant. The thing is that they probably faced decent pitching at times because there is a lot of good ones in the US but they haven't faced the best of each country.
While the US spent the summer touring the country, Canada, Australia, Venezuela, Japan, and China have spent the last 12 months playing numerous games against each other.
Marc,
I think these games were a valuable lesson in being persistant and vigilant in "your" game. It is never a given that your past will always predict your future. On any given day there can be a cindarella out there that shows up before midnight (6:30AM EST) and takes the wind out of your sails. My heart and soul goes out to the most professional group of women that defined the pinnacle of softball for girls/women. Congratulations to the best of the best USA! You are all stars that blazed trails for little girls everywhere (That is Globally, IOC!!!!!)