Got a fun visit to the vaults today on this “Throwback Thursday” as we go back almost exactly seven years to the day when I worked with NCAA National Champion and Olympic Gold medalist Amanda Freed, who, wearing her very capable journalist hat, interviewed another legendary softball pitcher Cat Osterman.

In honor of Cat’s big performance last night in the NPF Championship Series, we pull out this great conversation between the two!

 

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First published August 17, 2007 on StudentSportsSoftball.com:

Says Amanda, “I was Cat Osterman’s very first roommate her first year on the national team. I thought she was a little shy at first, but once we started talking, we never stopped! Now after six years of playing together on the National Team, we are teammates again here in Rockford, Ill (in the pro league). I thought I’d take this opportunity to share with you a little bit of the Cat that I’ve gotten to know!”

*****“We’ll start her off with some easy questions!” Amanda begins…

Amanda Freed: How long have you been playing softball?
Cat Osterman: I started playing when I was six, but quit to play soccer. I picked softball back up for good at age 11, which is when I also started pitching.

AF: What was the name of your first softball team?
CO: My first team was called the Slammers. We were black, white and Hot Pink

AF: Did you play any other positions?
CO: I started out playing outfield and first base. I enjoyed outfield, but that only lasted for so long.

AF: Who was your idol growing up?
CO: I idolized Michele Smith growing up. I wanted to be just like her, and to this day I still strive to be the athlete and person she is. I was lucky enough to have chances to work with her, so she influenced my development as a pitcher.

AF: Catsup or Mustard?
CO: Mustard!

AF: Subway or Quiznos?
CO: Quiznos because they have better chicken choices!

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Adds Amanda: “I thought I’d throw in those last couple just in case anyone was really curious about Cat’s food choices! The next couple of questions are ones that I here very often from parents, coaches, and pitchers. I can share my opinions with you all day long but it’s always good to hear multiple responses because everyone is different!”

AF: Television can be deceiving. How tall are you really?
CO: I am 6-foot-2. No taller, even though I have been listed taller.

AF: How many pitches do you throw?
CO: I throw 5 pitches. I throw a rise ball, curve ball, drop ball, change up and an off speed curve.

AF: How often do you throw?
CO: It depends on whether we are in season or in off-season. During the off-season I pitch about three to four times a week. During season I try to throw about five times a week, depending on our game schedules. My main rule of thumb is to try to avoid taking off consecutive days.

AF: On average, how hard do you throw?
CO: I average about 63-64 mph.

AF: We have faced many pitchers in our career, some throw up to 70 mph and some might only hit 60 mph. I am often asked what is more important, movement or speed? In your opinion, what is more important, movement or speed? Or is it a combination of both?
CO: The perfect answer is a combination of both, but speed is over-rated. You have to spin the ball correctly in order to get good movement. With good spin and movement you can make hitters miss hit pitches and fool hitters better.

AF: If ESPN put you on their evening highlights, which of your pitches would be on the “That’s Nasty!” segment?
CO: My drop ball would probably make it the most often. Occasionally, my off speed curve might make it.

AF: You’ve faced the best hitters in the world! Who is the toughest batter you’ve had to face?
CO: Crystl Bustos and Oli Keohohou are the two best hitters. They are a lot alike. They both have power to all fields, but they hit pitches that are both in and out of the strike zone effectively. You can’t pitch around either of them easily.

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“What about Cat off the field?” asks Amanda. “We always wonder what these elite athletes do when they’re not working out or in competition. I can tell you, most of the girls I’ve played with just like to be normal. Hang out with friends and family, go to the beach, or just relax. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely times to be envious of the opportunities, but opportunities only come with hard work.”

AF: Softball has become year-round for the national team. How do you like to spend your time off the field?
CO: When I am not on the field I like to hang out with friends and watch TV. Eating is always a priority as well. It’s just nice to relax and not have anything to do with softball sometimes.

AF: You’ve had an opportunity to travel around the world playing softball. What has been your favorite trip with the team so far? Why?
CO: My favorite trip was to Italy. We got to site see more there than we did anywhere else, but I loved being able to see the scenery and the historic sites of Italy like the Coliseum and Vatican.

AF: Besides me (of course!), who has been one of your favorite teammates to play with?
CO: Well you were my first ever roommate, which definitely gives you a special place in my heart. I love all of our teammates, so it’s hard to pick one. Kelly Krestchman has become one of my best friends, so I will go with her as my favorite!

AF: Because of your accomplishments in softball, you’ve played in the Olympics, walked the red carpet at the ESPYs, and participated in numerous other events representing the U.S., Under Armour, and Wilson. I know you’ve met some pretty “famous” people! Who has been your favorite so far? Why?
CO: I have two. My first is Craig Biggio. I got to meet him when he caught my first pitch at the Astros game. I grew up loving him, and he was so nice and genuine. I will admit after walking the red carpet I was overwhelmed seeing Shaq. He is a very big man.

AF: Finally, Do you have any favorite inspirational quotes?
CO: I have two… the first is “Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land amongst the stars.” The second is “If you love what you do, then it’s not work. When you stop loving what you do is when it becomes work.”

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”I would have loved to have sat down with Cat and had her answer all of your questions,” Amanda concludes. “Hopefully we managed to answer at least a couple of those questions and maybe give you a little extra as well.”

“Out of all this, I hope you realize that she started out just like most of us did, playing in the youth leagues, and through hard work, made her way to the top of our sport. So what if Cat has a few inches on us all? She’s still just a girl who had aspirations of one day being in the Olympics and found a way to make it happen. Hope you all had a fun summer!”