Dominance in the pool: thrilling. Dominance on the softball diamond: boring.
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The U.S. women’s softball team is so dominant that the only people fighting to keep it in the Olympics are from the United States. The Sporting News says they have no one to blame but themselves and their no-hitters and overpowering play. The U.S. women, of course, disagree in this, the final year of softball in the Olympics.
‘Softball is at its all-time high, not just in the U.S. but all over the world,’ said U.S. pitcher Jennie Finch, who is 2-0 and has allowed two hits in 11 innings of work. ‘To see it taken away is heartbreaking.’ But, in fact, the health of the game is on shaky ground because only a handful of nations can field competitive squads. Here in Beijing, the United States, Japan, Canada and Australia are between good and superb. Then there’s a drop-off. And the IOC knows it. [International Softball Federation President Don] Porter keeps bringing IOC members to games here to show them how exciting they can be. But sometimes the games are his worst enemy. Take Monday when the United States faced China, which once had a strong team. The United States looked as if it belonged in Fenway Park. China looked as if it belonged in your neighborhood park. The differences were that stark. American players were whacking home runs and going ahead 8-0 in the first inning. China couldn’t catch grounders, judge fly balls or hit the cutoff woman.
According to TSN, Porter is even considering trying to get men’s softball into Olympic competition in order to save the women’s sport. Beer-bellies worldwide, you too can have gold medals resting atop you if Porter’s plan sees the light of day.
Until then, it appears that Michael Phelps dominating in such a way that he won every race he was in is fine, if not thrilling, but lopsided victories on the softball diamond means something is wrong with the sport.
-- Tony Pierce