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Sue Enquist Interview – Episode 31

Gary — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:53:00 +0000

On this episode we have an interview with UCLA Softball legend Sue Enquist.

The 2006 season was Sue Enquist’s 18th and final campaign as head coach of the Bruin softball program. It was her 27th year as part of UCLA’s softball coaching staff and her 30th year of involvement with the program as either a coach or player.

It was Enquist’s 10th season as the sole head coach for the Bruins. Enquist took over that role beginning with the 1997 season, following the retirement of longtime Bruin mentor Sharron Backus. The two served as co-head coaches from 1989-96.

Before being named co-head coach, Enquist coached nine seasons (1980-88) as an assistant under Backus. As a student-athlete playing for Backus, Enquist led UCLA to its first National Championship in softball, a 1978 AIAW title. Enquist was the tournament’s leading hitter as UCLA won its first softball National Championship.

Enquist then served as a member of the UCLA coaching staff for 10 NCAA Championships, the most of any school. The NCAA brought women’s sports under its umbrella beginning with the 1981-82 academic year. UCLA won that inaugural NCAA softball championship, and has since played in a record 17 championship games or series, winning titles in 1982, ’84, ’85, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’92, ’99, 2003 and ’04

After graduating high school in December of 1974, Enquist went on to play four seasons for Backus from 1975-78, Enquist became the prototypical player for Bruin softball in terms of attitude, desire and will to win. UCLA’s first softball All-American, Enquist led the Bruins in doubles three times and twice led UCLA in batting average and triples.

Enquist established the UCLA career batting average record with an impressive .401 mark, and was the first Bruin to complete her career with a batting average over .400. That career batting average record stood for 24 years, until Stacey Nuveman completed her illustrious career in 2002. Enquist’s No. 6 jersey was retired on April 29, 2000, becoming the third number in Bruin softball history to be retired, joining the No. 16 of Lisa Fernandez and No. 1 of Dot Richardson.

A three-time ASA All-American for the Raybestos Braketts, Enquist helped lead that team to four ASA National Championships in 1976, ’77, ’78 and ’80. She also enjoyed success as a player at the international level, earning gold medals at three National Sports Festivals, the 1978 World Championships and the 1979 Pan American Games.

Enquist earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UCLA in 1980. A native of San Clemente, Calif., Enquist surfed professionally from 1979-81 and continues to be an avid surfer. She currently resides in Huntington Beach, Calif.

The following is a list of Enquist’s accomplishments and honors:

• Enquist was awarded the 2004 C. Vivian Stringer Coaching Award by the United States Sports Academy for her accomplishments at UCLA. The award pays tribute to those who have made significant contributions to sports, and is named in honor of C. Vivian Stringer, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer who is the only coach to take three different schools to the Final Four.

• In December, 2005, Enquist was announced as a Hall of Fame Inductee by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

• Enquist and the Bruin coaching staff earned the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) National Coaching Staff of the Year award following the 2004 season. She was also named the National Coach of the Year in 1992.

• The Bruin coaching staff was chosen as the 2000 and 2004 NFCA Pacific Region Coaching Staff of the Year. The Bruin staff also received the Regional honor in 1991 and ’92.

• She is a three-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, earning the honor in 1995, ’99 and 2006.

• Enquist was the first softball inductee to the UCLA Hall of Fame, as a member of the Class of 1993. There are currently seven Bruin softball players in the Hall of Fame, including Enquist, Debbie Doom, Dot Richardson, Sheila (Cornell) Douty, Tracy Compton, Lisa Longaker and Lisa Fernandez. Former head coach Sharron Backus was inducted in 2001, her first year of eligibility.

• As one of eight softball coaches chosen to work with the U.S. National Team, Enquist was involved in the preparation of the gold medal winning U.S. Olympic Team for the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Ga., the inaugural Games for softball as an Olympic medal sport.

• Enquist was the head coach of the 1993 Olympic Festival Championship team, and coached the USA Pre Elite National Team in July, 1994.

• She was also a member of the coaching staff for the gold medal winning 1994 World Championship team, contested in Canada.

• Enquist was among the list of “20th Century Bruins” put together by UCLA Magazine at the close of 1999.

• During Enquist’s tenure as co-head coach and head coach (1989-2006), 32 players earned 58 All-American honors.

• Enquist was UCLA’s first All-American, earning the honor in 1978 after being named All-Region in 1976, ’77 and ’78.

• Seven former Bruins participated with the gold medal-winning 2000 U.S. Olympic Team. All seven (Christie Ambrosi, Jennifer Brundage, Sheila Cornell Douty, Lisa Fernandez, Stacey Nuveman, Dot Richardson and alternate Amanda Freed) were coached by Enquist during their UCLA careers.

• Five Bruins, again all coached by Enquist, won gold medals at the Athens Olympics in 2004, including Fernandez, Freed, Tairia (Mims) Flowers, Nuveman, and Natasha Watley.

• All of UCLA’s current coaches (head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez, assistants Lisa Fernandez and Gina Vecchione and volunteer assistant Natasha Watley) are UCLA graduates and were coached by Enquist during their Bruin careers.

• Completed a series of 20 instructional videos, released following the 2003 collegiate season.

• Partnered with former UCLA and MLB catcher and current Detroit Tigers hitting coach Don Slaught on the RightViewPro hitting instructional software.

• Invented the SB401 training bat and the Kwik-Slide Sliding Wrap

• Inducted into the Capistrano Unified School District Hall of Fame in October, 2000.

• Enquist has 1,314 wins in her Bruin softball career as a player and coach, combined.

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Episode 30 – The Softball Cruise – Reece Oslinker

Gary — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:22:00 +0000

Have you heard about the Softball Cruise 2011? Well you are about to find out all about it. This week I interview Reece Oslinker form The Softball Cruise.

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Episode 29 – The Caitlin Lowe Interview

Gary — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:43:00 +0000

This week I interview Caitlin Lowe. Former Olympian Caitlin Lowe is a great softball player, and a great person. I think you will enjoy meeting Caitlin so sit back and enjoy the show.

A Few Accomplishments
• Gold medalist at the Pan American Games (2007)
• Two-time World Cup Champion (2006 & 2007)
• World Champion (2006)
• Olympic Silver medalist (2008)

National Team Experience
2008
• Silver Medalist at 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China
- recorded the first ever inside the park home run in Olympic history, August 12, 2008, USA wins 11-0 over Venezuela

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2007
• Along with Natasha Watley, led team over the summer with 27 hits; tied a team-high with two triples and a second- best 21 runs scored and was perfect on the base paths with nine stolen bases
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games
• World Cup Champion
Hit .500 (8-for-16) with six runs scored and four stolen bases
Posted a team-high six hits with three runs scored for a .462 average
• At Canada Cup, scored 12 runs with a .448 average (13-for-29); had a team-high two triples with eight RBI

2006
• One of the youngest members of the 2006 World Championship team
Hit .314 (11-for-35) with a team-tying high 14 runs scored; was a perfect 6-6 in stolen bases; Started in all 11 games in outfield
• World Cup Champion
Hit .524 (11-for-21) and had an on-base-percentage of .545 with three stolen bases

2005
• Silver medalist at the Japan Cup
Hit .313 (5-16) with three runs
• Silver medalist at the World Cup
Hit .417 (5-12) with three runs

2004
• Member of USA Schutt Elite Team at Canada Cup and Champions Cup
Hit .404 (23-57) with a team-high 16 runs

At Arizona
• Two-time National Champion (2006 & 2007)
• Four-time NFCA All-American (2004 – 2007)
• Two-time Top Three Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year (2005 & 2007)
• Two-time Top 10 Finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year (2005 & 2007)
• Two-time member of All-Women’s College World Series team (2006 & 2007)

Other
• Graduate of Foothill High School in Tustin, Calif. (2003)

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Episode 28 – The Bill Hillhouse Interview

Gary — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:12:00 +0000

This episode I interview Bill Hillhouse. Bill is a former pitcher for the USA Mens Fastpitch Team, and has been pitching a softball most of his life. Bill is also a great pitching coach. He gives lessons all around the US.

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Episode 27 – The Lisa Fernandez Interview

Gary — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:49:00 +0000

This episode I interview Lisa Fernandez. Many people sat that Lisa is the greatest softball players of all times. We talk about her career, The PFX, and softball in general.

Lisa Fernandez (born February 22, 1971, in New York City) is a right-handed softball pitcher of Cuban-Puerto Rican descent. She established an Olympic record in softball with 25 strikeouts in a game as a member of the United States Women’s team.

Early years
Lisa’s father immigrated from Cuba, where he played baseball. In New York, he met Lisa’s mother, who had migrated from Puerto Rico and whom he married. Lisa’s mother played stickball, a street game similar to baseball played with a broom stick and a rubber ball, with her brother in the streets. Lisa began playing at the age of eight. At twelve, she played in a local children’s league; when she tried out as a pitcher, her coach told her that she would never make it because she didn’t have the right size and build. In 1986, Lisa and her family moved to Lakewood, California, where she attended St. Joseph High School. She joined her school’s girls’ softball team and she and her teammates won the CIF Championship.

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College career
Upon graduating from high school, she was accepted to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she played softball and earned a degree in psychology. Fernandez played at UCLA from 1990-93. A three-time winner of the sport’s Honda Award, Fernandez became the first softball player to win the Honda-Broderick Cup in 1993, given to the outstanding collegiate female athlete in all sports. A four-time, first-team All-American, Fernandez led UCLA to two national championships (1990 & 1992) and two runner-up finishes (1991 & 1993).

Accomplishments
In 1990, Lisa won a gold medal at the ISF (International Softball Federation) World Championship. Among her accomplishments are:
1991, gold medal at the Pan American Games
1994, gold medals at ISF World Championships and Pan Am Qualifier
1994, Sportswoman of the Year Award[1]
Led UCLA to two NCAA Women’s College World Series Titles
Four time NFCA First Team All-American
NCAA Top VI Award presented to the top six senior student athletes in all divisions
1993, Honda-Broderick Cup winner, country’s most outstanding collegiate female athlete
1991-93, Three-time Honda Award winner for softball presented to the nation’s best softball player
1996, Olympic gold medal in the 1996 Olympics celebrated in Columbus, Georgia
1998, gold medal at Pan American Games;
2000, Olympic gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics celebrated in Australia where she established a 25 strikeout record in women’s softball
2002, gold medal at the ISF World Championships
2003, gold medal at the Pan American Games
2004, Olympic gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics celebrated in Greece.

Honors
On April 24, 2001, the Lakewood City Council recognized Lisa as one of the most remarkable athletes ever to come from the playgrounds and ball diamonds of Lakewood. The city council named the ball field at Mayfair Park in her honor, as the Lakewood Sports Hall of Fame Athlete of the Year.

Later years
Lisa is currently an assistant coach for the women’s softball team at UCLA. She married Michael Lujan in 2002 and gave birth to their son Antonio in 2005. Fernandez and her family reside in Long Beach, California.

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Episode 26 – The Dr. Dot Richardson Interview

Gary — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:49:00 +0000

This episode I interview Dr. Dot Richardson. Dot is one of the greatest softball players of all times. We talk about her career, The PFX, and softball in general.

Education
Richardson attended Western Illinois University for one year and the University of California Los Angeles for four years. Richardson has Master’s degree from Adelphi University as a graduate assistant for softball She attended the University of Louisville School of Medicine and received an M.D. degree in 1993. She then entered her five year orthopedic residency program at the University of Southern California. She took a one year leave of absence to participate in the 1996 Olympic Games, where she and her teammates captured the first ever Olympic Gold Medal in the sport of Softball. Later she did a fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Clinic in Los Angeles.

Softball career
Richardson played in first ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship. At age 13, she was the youngest player to ever play in a Women’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship. She used to play on the sidelines at her brothers’ baseball games. Starting in 1972 she played for the Union Pack Jets of Orlando Florida, the Orlando Rebels, the Raybestos Brakettes of Stratford, Connecticut (1984-1994), and the California Commotion of Woodland Hills, California.
She was a key part of the United States national team that won the gold medal during the sport’s Olympic debut in 1996 hitting the home run that won the game. After her win at the Olympics, she continued with her career as an orthopedic surgeon. She is married to Bob Pinto. Dot Richardson is currently Executive Director and Medical Director of the National Training Center due to the fact that she was never cleared to perform orthopedic surgeries.

Awards
Richardson is the recipient of the 1998 Sports Legends Award, the 1997 Babe Zaharias Award (Female Athlete of the Year), the 1996 Amateur Athletic Foundation Athete of the Year, inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame in 1996, Nuprin Comeback of the Year Award in 1990, four-time Sullivan Award nominee and inducted into the Florida State Hall of Fame in 1999. Her college honors include NCAA Player of the Decade (1980s), three-time NCAA All-American, two-time AIAW All-American, three-time ULCA MVP and 1983 All University Award at UCLA. She was named MVP in the Women’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship four times. She is an inductee of the National Softball Hall of Fame

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Episode 25 – The Michael Bastian Interview

Gary — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:30:00 +0000

This episode I interview Michael Bastian. Michael has coached at the D-1 college level, and was the coach of the Chinese Olympic team. He has a large amount of knowledge on the international level

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Episode 24 – ASA Bat Rules With Craig Cress

Gary — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:31:00 +0000

On December the 1st, ASA will update their rules for softball bats. Craig from ASA Softball joins me and we talk about the new rules, and other things ASA.

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Episode 23 – Leah O’Brien-Amico Interview

Gary — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:49:00 +0000

On this episode I interview 3 time gold medallist Leah O’Brien-Amico. We talk about her career in softball, and what she is doing now that her playing days are over.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist (USA Softball: 1996, 2000, 2004)
2-Time World Champion
2-Time Pan-American Games Champion
3-Time NCAA National Champion (University of Arizona Softball)
Named in 2006 to the NCAA Division I Softball 25th Anniversary Team
Holds the Women’s College World Series Record for batting average in a single tournament,
hitting .750 (9 for 12) in 1994
Three-time First-Team NFCA All-American (1994, 1995, 1997)
Three-time First-Team Academic All-American
Career numbers – .428 batting average, 338 hits, 53 doubles, five triples, seven home runs and 181 RBI
Named the 1997 NCAA Woman of The Year for the state of Arizona
Athletes In Action Women’s Board of Directors
Inducted into the Athletes In Action Hall of Faith (2008)
Named #44 Best Athlete in California High School of all time
**Married to Tommy Amico and mother of 3 boys, Jake, Drew and Luke

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FEATURED IN
Sports Devotional Bible by Zondervan
One Message of Victory Sports New Testament
Magazines: Brio (Cover), Sports Spectrum, Victory, Cover of Sports Illustrated with
2004 Olympic Gold Medal Softball Team
Back of Golden Crispix Cereal Box (2000)
Hit-A-Way Instructional Tool
Featured in video for Youth Night for Billy Graham LA Crusade (2004)
Athletes in Action Women’s Video: Passion and Power
How Do You Know He’s Real Devotional Book by Amy Hagberg
The Goal and the Glory by Josh Davis
A Book of Prayers: To The Heavens from the Stars by Chuck Spinner

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Episode 22 – Don Porter Interview

Gary — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:24:00 +0000

This episode Don Porter from the International Softball Federation joins me. Don, and the ISF headed up the Back Softball Campaign that tried to get softball back into the Olympics. Don talks about trying to get softball back into the Olympics, and why he think it was denied.

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Episode 21 – Stacey Nuveman Interview

Gary — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:50:00 +0000

I am joined this week by 3 time Olympian Stacey Nuveman. We talk about Stacey life and career in softball. I find out some background information on the shoes left at home plate after the Olympics.

A Few Accomplishments
• Olympic Silver Medalist (2008)
• World Cup Champion (2006)
• Two-time World Champion (2002 & 2006)
• Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (2000 & 2004)
• Two-time Pan American Gold Medalist (1999 & 2003)

National Team Experience
2008
• Silver Medalist at 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China

2006
• Member of the World Championship team
Hit .241 (7-for-29) with three homeruns and eight RBI with nine starts behind the plate
• Led the USA to its first World Cup title
Scored the winning run in the championship game vs. Japan with a solo home run in the fourth

2005
• Gold medalist at Pan Am qualifier
• Silver medalist at Japan Cup
• Silver medalist at World Cup
Hit .429 (3-17) with four RBI, three runs and two homeruns

2004
• Gold medalist at Olympic Games in Athens, Greece
Hit .313 (5-16) with two homeruns and five RBI; posted no errors in 46 chances at catcher

2003
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games

2002
• Gold medalist at ISF World Championships
Hit .409 (9-22) with nine RBI and three runs

2001
• Gold medalist at U.S. Cup

2000
• Gold medalist at Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia
Hit .365 during pre-Olympic tour, with 10 home runs and 28 RBI

1999
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games
Hit .474 including three home runs

1995
• Gold medalist at Junior Women’s World Championship

At UCLA
• NCAA all-time career leader in home runs (90) and slugging percentage (.945)
• Four-time NFCA First-team All American
• Three-time Pac-10 Player of the Year (1999, 2001-02), second player ever to accomplish the feat
• Inaugural USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year (2002)
• Led UCLA to four Women’s College World Series appearances
• Graduated in 2002

Other
• Member of PFX Tour (2006 & 2007)
• Member of Arizona Heat of the National Pro Fastpitch League (NPF) (2005)

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Episode 20 – Joan Joyce Interview

Gary — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:12:00 +0000

Joan Joyce joins me on this show. There is so much to say about Joan that I cannot begin to say it all. I will say this though, I believe Joan Joyce is the greatest softball player of all times. I enjoyed this interview as much if not more than any interview I have ever done.

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Episode 19 – Sandy Fischer Interview

Gary — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:45:00 +0000

Sandy Fischer joins me on this show. In case are not familiar with Sandy she completed a stellar twenty three year coaching career at Oklahoma State University, in which her teams made six appearances at the NCAA Women’s College World Series and won nine Conference Championships. Sandy was selected Midwest Region Coach of the Year five times and was named National Coach of the Year in 1989. She has coached 26 All-Americans, including Olympic players Michele Smith and Melanie Roche. Sandy achieved the 900 win milestone in her career in 2001. Softball has been a way of life for Sandy, as she has played at every level of the game. As the starting pitcher for Western Illinois University, she led her team to the Women’s Collegiate World Series in 1972, 1973, and 1975. She also played in the Women’s Professional Softball League from 1976-1979 with the championship Connecticut Falcons team. Sandy recently returned to the professional ranks as a coach in the newly launched Professional Fastpitch Extreme Tour. Sandy was recently selected for induction into the prestigious National Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame, which will occur at the National Convention in December 2008.

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Episode 18 – Tom McCarthy PFX Tour Interview

Gary — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:35:00 +0000

This episode I interview Tom McCarthy from the PFX Tour. After attending a PFX Tour event I thought it was well worth the money. Visit their website at PFXtour.com

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Episode 17 – Michele Smith Interview

Gary — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:24:00 +0000

Michele Smith joins me to talk softball. We also have the fastpitch news, and a NPF Bat Wars Update.

Voorhees High School:
1981-85 All State in Softball (46-6)
1982-85 All Conference, basketball
1982-85 All Conference, field hockey

Oklahoma State University:
1986,88,89 All Big 8 Conference Honors
1988,89 Big 8 Conference All Tournament Selection
1988,89 NCAA All American, All Academic Big 8 Conference, All Region, Honda Award runner-up, Dean’s List
1989 State of Oklahoma College Athlete of the Year named by USA Today
1986 Pitching – Single Season Records:
#24 All Time Earned Run Average (1.28 – 131.1 innings pitched)
Tied for #15 All Time Shutouts – 8
Named All Time Cowgirl

1987 Pitching – Single Season Records:
#16 All Time Earned Run Average (.83 – 161.0 innings pitched)
#12 All Time Win-Loss Percentage .783 (18-5)
Tied for #17 All Time Victories – 18
Named All Time Cowgirl

1988 Hitting – single season records:
#7 All Time Batting Average – .393 (57-145)
#3 All Time Slugging Percentage – .669 (97-145)
#9 All Time On-Base Percentage – .457
#20 All Time Hits – 57
#7 All Time Home Runs – 9
#6 All Time Runs Batted In – 43
#10 All Time Total Bases – 97

Pitching – single season records:
#10 All Time Earned Run Average (.58 – 218.2 innings pitched)
#11 All Time Win-Loss Percentage – .813 (26 – 6)
Tied for #3 All Time Victories – 26
Tied for #12 All Time Appearances – 36
Tied for #9 All Time Starts – 30
Tied for #6 All Time Complete Games – 26
#4 All Time Complete Games – 16
#10 All Time Innings Pitched – 218.2
#9 All Time Strikeouts – 218
Pitched 4 No-Hitters
Named All Time Cowgirl

1989 Hitting – single season records:
#13 All Time Batting Average – .379 (55-145)
#11 All Time Slugging Percentage – .586 (85-145)
Tied for #23 All Time Hits – 55
Tied for #16 All Time Runs Batted In – 33
Tied for #5 All Time Triples – 6
#18 All Time Total Bases – 85
Individual Single-Game Record for Runs – 4
Individual Single-Game Record for Runs Batted In – 5

Pitching – single season records:
#8 All Time Earned Run Average (.53 – 196.1 innings pitched)
#13 All Time Fewest Walks/7 innings – 1.43 (196.1 innings pitched)
#6 All Time Most Strikeouts/7 Innings – 8.56 (196.1 innings pitched)
#3 All Time Win-Loss Percentage – .897 (26-3)
#15 All Time Innings Pitched – 186.1
Tied for #3 All Time Victories – 26
#3 All Time Shutouts – 17
Tied for #15 All Time Starts – 27
Tied for #9 All Time Complete Games – 25
Pitched 4 No-Hitters of which 2 were perfect games
Named All Time Cowgirl

Hitting – Career Records:
#6 All Time Career Batting Average – .343 (148-432)
#5 All Time Career Slugging Percentage – .539 (233-432)
#10 All Time Career On-Base Percentage – .412
Tied for #14 All Time Career Hits – 148
Tied for #19 All Time Career Doubles – 20
Tied for #2 All Time Career Triples – 10
#8 All Time Career Home Runs – 15
Tied for #16 Career Runs Scored – 75
#7 All Time Career Runs Batted In – 87
#9 All Time Career Total Bases – 233
#17 All Time Career Bases on Balls – 46
#23 All Time Career Games Played – 171

Pitching – Career Records:
#6 All Time Career Earned Run Avenue – .75 (707.1 innings pitched)
#3 All Time Career Win-Loss Percentage – .804 (82-20)
#1 All Time Career Victories – 82
Tied for #3 All Time Career Appearances – 108
#3 All Time Career Starts – 97
#3 All Time Career Complete Games – 75
#2 All Time Career Shutouts – 46
#3 All Time Career Innings Pitched – 707.1
#4 All Time Career Strikeouts – 600
#9 All Time Career Strikeouts/7 innings – 5.94 (707.1 innings)
#9 All Time Career Fewest Walks/7 innings – 1.78 (707.1 innings)

USA Softball/American Softball Association:
1989
3rd Team All American Pitcher, Bronze Medal

1990
Canada Cup MVP
ASA First Team All American, winner Bertha Tickey Award for Outstanding Pitcher
Bronze Medal at U.S. Olympic Festival
Michele had a 3-1 record with a 1.45 ERA, and hitting .455, including a final-inning grand slam in the bronze medal game.

1991
Bronze Medal at U.S. Olympic Festival

1990,93,94
USOC Softball Sports Person of the Year

1991 – 2002
Member of Team USA Softball

1992
Gold Medal at World Championships, Beijing, Japan
Participant in the Tri-National Challenge in Japan

1993
National Champions, All American Pitcher, MVP of tournament and Winner of Bertha Tickey Award
Gold Medal at Intercontinental Cup in Haarlum, Holland

1994
National Champions, All American Pitcher, Bertha Tickey Award
Bronze medal at U.S. Olympic Festival, St Louis, MO
Gold Medal at World Championships, St.Johns, New Foundland, Canada
Michele went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 17 innings.
Gold Medal with Team USA at South Pacific Classic in Sydney, Australia

1995
Gold Medal with Team USA at Pan American Games in Parana, Argentina
Helped the USA win the gold medal at the Pan American Games. She went 3-0 including a 4-0 shutout over Puerto Rico in the title game, with a .36 ERA. She also hit .429 (12 for 28) with three inside-the-park home runs, a triple and two doubles. Smith finished with a team-high 14 RBI and 5 runs scored.
Gold Medal with Team USA at Superball Classic, Pre-Olympic qualifier
National Champions, All American Pitcher, MVP, Bertha Tickey Award
Bronze medal with West team at the US Olympic Festival in Denver, CO

1996
Pre-Olympic Tour
Michele went 12-0 on the pre-Olympic tour with a 12 – 0 record and 0.00 ERA. She hit .326, with five doubles, two home runs, one triple and 24 RBIs.
Gold Medalist of 1996 Olympic Softball Team, Atlanta, Georgia
Michele went 2-0 with 1.50 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 14 innings. At the plate, she hit .211 (4 for 19, with a double) with two RBIs and 3 runs scored.
National Championships, First Team All American
Number 2 pick – Women’s Professional Fastpitch League

1997
Named to National All-American Team ASA Softball
Lead the West squad to the bronze medal at the USA Softball National Team Festival in Midland, MI. Posed a 2-1 record with .31 ERA and 22 strikeouts. She also hit .231 with one home run and four RBIs.
Silver Medal at Superball, Columbus, GA
Posted a 1-1 record with a .50 ERA and 22 strikeouts. At the plate she hit .400 (4 for 10) with one home run.
American Challenge Series vs Olympic silver medalist China and bronze medalist Australia. US was 10-0 in the series and Michele went 2-0 with .41 ERA and 25 strikeouts. She also hit a team-high .423.

1998
Gold Medal at South Pacific Classic, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted a 1-1 record with a 1.87 ERA and 25 strikeouts. Smith hit .267 (4 for 15) and scored one run.
Gold Medal at World Championships, Fuji, Japan
She went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 36 strikeouts. She hit .444(8 for 18) with three home runs, 8 RBIs and 4 runs scored.

1999
Gold Medal at Canada Cup
She went 3-0 with a 0.47 ERA, striking out 26 batters and walking just three in 15 innings. She also recorded three hits and three runs scored.
Gold Medal Pan American Games, Winnipeg, Canada
Posted 4-0 record – including a complete game two-hitter in a 1-0 eight-inning win over Canada in the title game – with a 0.00 ERA and 46 strikeouts recorded in 29 innings.
Gold medalist at the Coca-Cola USA Softball women’s National Team Festival in Fresno, CA

2000
Gold Medal 2000 Sydney Olympic Games
Finished tournament with 0.00 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 27.2 innings. Threw a 14-inning two-hitter against China, but a defensive error allowed two unearned runs to score to end the game. Errors also cost Smith against Japan, when she threw 5.2 innings of relief before three errors in the top of the 11th generated two unearned runs. Pitched eight shutout innings against China in the first playoff game before being relieved.

2002
ISF World Championships
Hitting .500 (5 for 10, one HR, 4 RBIs) and 1-0 on the mound
Professional:

2001
Played for WPSL Gold, a professional team consisting of 2000 Olympians

Japan Professional League Softball:
1993
Named Best Pitcher of the League
Japan Cup National Tournament Champions

1994
Team Championship in Japan League
Named MVP of the League, Named Best Pitcher of the League

1995
Japan Cup National Champions, MVP of the Cup

1996
Team championship in Japan League
MVP of the Japan League

1998
MVP of the Japan League
Team Championship in Japan League

1999
Team Championship in Japan League
Named MVP of the League, Earned Top Pitcher, Leading Hitter

2000
Named Best Pitcher of the League

2001
Team Championship in Japan League
Named MVP of the League, Earned Top Pitcher, Leading Hitter

HONORS AND AWARDS
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (inductee for 2010)
ASA Softball Hall of Fame (inducted 2006)
All American ASA Women’s Major Fastpitch (1989 – 1998)
NJSIAA/Bollinger High School Hall of Fame (inducted 1998)
Shasta County Sports Hall of Fame (Redding Rebels, CA – softball)
ASA Sportswoman of the Year (1990 & 1994)
United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Sportswoman of the Year (1993 & 1994)

PROFESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS
3N2 Sports – Orlando, FL (2009 – present)
Rip-It Sports – Orlando, FL (2008 – present)
Musco Sports Lighting – Oskaloosa, IA (1996 – present)
JUGS Sports, Inc. – Portland, OR (1996 – present)
Nike – Portland, OR (1996 – 2004)
First female softball player endorsed – Air MS Softball Cleat developed in honor of Michele
Worth Sports – St. Louis, MO (1994 – 2007)
Worth, Inc. – Michele Smith Signature Series of bats, balls, and gloves
Official spokesperson for Little League Softball and Baseball

Television Program Appearances:
Oprah
Regis & Kelly
Today Show

Print publication features:
Sports Illustrated for Women
ELLE Magazine,
Women’s Sports and Fitness
USA Today
Forbes

Named by President Clinton as an advisor for the National Council for Athletes Against Drugs & Tobacco

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Episode 16 – Crystl Bustos Interview

Gary — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:12:00 +0000

Crystl Bustos joins me to talk softball.

A Few Accomplishments

• World Cup Champion (2006 & 2007)
• Three-time Pan American gold medalist (1999, 2003 & 2007)
• World Champion (2006)
• Two-time Olympic Gold medalist (2000 & 2004)
• Olympic Silver medalist (2008)

National Team Experience

2008
• Silver Medalist at 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China
- hit .500 with a record-breaking six home runs and 10 RBI; Olympic record 12 runs scored
• Retired her cleats at home plate after the Gold medal game ending a stellar USA Softball career

2007
• One of three girls on the team to compete in all 20 games ofthe summer, either as designated player or at third base.
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games
Hit .375 (3-for-8); scored four runs with a double and a homerun for five RBI
• World Cup Champion
Hit .538 (7-for-13) with two homeruns and eight RBI, scoring six runs

2006
• Gold medalist at ISF World Championships
Hit a team-tying high .500 (17-34) average with 14 RBI and a team-high 6 doubles.
Scored 10 runs with two homeruns including one in the championship game to pad the lead to 3-0, a World Championship victory.
• World Cup Champion
Hit .353 (6-for-17) with a two home runs and 10 RBI

2005
• Gold medalist at Pan Am qualifier in Guatemala City

2004
• Gold medalist at Olympic Games in Athens, Greece
Hit .346 with five homeruns and 10 RBI

2003
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games
Hit .320 with eight hits and nine RBI

2002
• Member of U.S. Women’s Elite Team
Hit .560 with four doubles, four homeruns and 13 RBI at Canada Cup

2000
• Gold medalist at Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia
Led the team with 10 hits, three homeruns and five runs scored

1999
• Gold medalist at the Pan American Games
Led the team with 18 hits, three homeruns and 15RBI

At Palm Beach Community College
• Team won two NJCAA National Championships
• Two-time NJCAA first team All American
• Two-time NJCAA Player of the Year

Other
• Member of NPF Akron Racers (2006)
• Member of NPF Champions, Akron Racers (2005)
• Played for WPSL Gold, professional team consisting of 2000 Olympians (2001)
• Played for the Akron Racers of WPSL (1999)
• WPSL League MVP while leading the Orlando Wahoos to the Championship (1998)

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Episode 15 – Jessica Mendoza Interview

Gary — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:27:00 +0000

Jessica Mendoza joins me, and we talk about her life in softball. Jessica’s website is jmendoza.com and you can find Jessica’s training videos at slugger.com/mendoza/index.html/

A Few Accomplishments
• Two-time Pan American Gold Medalist (2003 & 2007)
• Two-time World Cup Champion (2006 & 2007)
• Two-time World Champion (2002 & 2006)
• Olympic Gold Medalist (2004)
• Olympic Silver Medalist (2008)

National Team Experience
2008
• Silver Medalist at 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China

2007
• Hit .417 (25-for-60) during the three event summer with 20 starts
• Tallied 17 RBI with three homeruns, two triples and a team high four doubles, scoring a team-high 23 runs
• Named to the Canada Cup All Star team
Hit .533 (16-for-30) with 10 RBI, three homeruns, a triple, double and a team-tying high 12 runs

2006
• Named as the USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year
• World Cup Champion
Hit 11-for-18 (.611) with a double, three homeruns, and 16 RBI
• Gold Medalist at ISF World Championships
Hit 16-for-32 (.500) with five homeruns, 16 RBI and a slugging percentage of .969
• Member of the PFX Professional Tour

2005
• Gold medalist at Pan Am qualifier
• Silver medalist at World Cup
• Silver medalist at Japan Cup

2004
• Gold medalist at Olympic Games in Athens, Greece
Hit 5-for-20 (.250) with five runs and five RBI

2003
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games

2002
• Gold medalist at ISF World Championships
Hit .313 (10-32) with eight runs and seven RBI

2001
• Gold medalist at U.S. Cup

At Stanford
• Four-time NFCA First-team All American
• Led Stanford to first NCAA Women’s College World Series appearance (2001)
• Four-time All Pac-10 first team
• Four-time All-Pacific Region
• Three-time Stanford Athlete of the Year (1999, 2000 & 2001)
• 2000 Pac-10 Player of the Year
• 1999 Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year
• Graduated in 2002
• Graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences and Education in 2003

Other
• President of the Womens Sports Foundation (2009)
• Member of PFX Professional Tour
• 2005 Member of the Arizona Heat of the National Pro Fastpitch League (NPF)
• Named to NPF All-Star team
• Board Member, National Education Association Foundation
• Board Member, Women’s Sports Foundation

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Episode 14 -The 2009 Catalogs

Gary — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:21:00 +0000

The 2009 softball catalogs are in. I go over the new items manufactures are adding to their catalogs this year. I talk about their new bats and other new items. I also start softball tip of the week.

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Episode 13 – Natasha Watley Interview

Gary — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:05:00 +0000

Natasha Watley, shortstop with Team USA is this weeks guest. I also talk about the USA Softball Ebay auction, and a few other short topics.

A Few Accomplishments
• Two-time World Cup Champion (2006 & 2007)
• Two-time Pan American Gold medalist (2003 & 2007)
• Two-time World Champion (2002 & 2006)
• Olympic Gold medalist (2004)
• Olympic Silver medalist (2008)

National Team Experience
2008
• Silver Medalist at 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China
- hit .321 in the leadoff position with two home runs and six RBI

2007
• Starting shortstop in all 20 games played during the summer; hit .466 (27-for-58) with a team-tying high two triples and was 6-for-6 in stolen bases
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games
Hit .364 (4-for-11) with a team-tying high five runs scored
• World Cup Champion
Led team with nine hits and was second with an average of .529 (9-for-17)
Scored six runs with two triples and a homerun; tied a team high six runs scored

2006
• Gold medalist at ISF World Championships
Hit .306 (11-for-36) with 12 runs scored and three stolen bases.
• World Cup Champion
Hit .421 (8-for-19) with three triples and six RBI

2005
• Gold medalist at Pan Am qualifier
• Silver medalist at Japan Cup
Hit .250 (4-16) with four stolen bases

2004
• Gold medalist at Olympic Games in Athens, Greece
Hit .400 (12-30) with four RBI and five stolen bases; 12 hits tied a team best

2003
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games
Hit .292 (7-24) with four RBI and five stolen bases
• Finalist for ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ Award

2002
• Gold medalist at ISF World Championships

At UCLA
• Four-time First-team NFCA All American
• Led UCLA to Women’s College World Series title (2003)
• Won the Honda Broderick Cup as the Nation’s Top Collegiate Female Athlete (2003)
• All WCWS Tournament Team (2003)
• Pac-10 Player of the Year (2003)
• Top three finalist for USA Softball National Player of the Year (2002 & 2003)
• First -team All Pac 10 and All- Pacific Region (2002)
• Led Bruins to the NCAA WCWS (2000 & 2002)
• Strung together a 32-game hitting streak, fifth longest run in NCAA history (2001)
• ASA First-team All American with Team Texas in Women’s Major National Championship (2000)
• Graduated in 2005

Other
• Member of the PFX Tour (2007)
• Volunteer Assistant Coach at UCLA (2007)
• Member of the Philadelphia Force in the National Pro Fastpitch League (2006)
• Member of the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut in the NPF (2005)
• Personal website is www. NatashaWatley.com

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Episode 12 – The Olympic Bat Show

Gary — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:11:00 +0000

I talk with the bat companies about the bats being used by the Olympic Softball Team. We even have an Olympic player as a special guest.

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Episode 11 – How I Ran A Practice

Gary — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:50:00 +0000

This week I explain how I ran my practices on my team, the 2 time Texas state champions Dabomb.

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Episode 10 – The NPF Draft

Gary — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:45:00 +0000

Join us as we bring you the National Pro Fastpitch 2008 Senior draft.

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Episode 9 – Cheri Kempf Interview

Gary — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:34:00 +0000

This week I am joined by Cheri Kempf from the National Pro Fastpitch League. and of Club K. We talk about the NFP, Fastpitch drills, and fastpitch softball in general.

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Episode 8 – The NFCA Interview

Gary — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:42:00 +0000

This week I am joined by Lacy Lee Baker from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. We talk about the NFCA, and how it can help you and your team.

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Episode 7 – The ASA Bat Interview

Gary — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:06:00 +0000

This week I am joined by Kelly McKeown from ASA Softball. We talk about the new ASA bat standards, and how bats are tested. We also talk about Olympic Softball, and The Softball Hall Of Fame. I personally learned answers to some of my questions I have had a long time.

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