Just on my way back home after a brief stint in Chiacgo... I got to meet Oprah and appear on her show yesterday along with so many great American Olympians like Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant, Misty May, Kerry Walsh and Shawn Johnson. But the best part of the trip was seeing my teammates again and being together not only rallying around softball but celebrating our country. I think it's going to air on Monday, but as they say, check your local listings.

And who knows... Chicago is in the running for the 2016 Olympics, and that's our target right now. In the meantime, I just love being at home with the men of my life, Casey and Ace, doing the mommy things until our fall camps start up again.

Speaking of fall ball, congratulations to this week's Finch's Favorite, the the Wolverines from Blue Springs, Missouri. Looks like they'll be playing this fall, which is great. Good luck to Coach Larry and the girls!

http://www.weplay.com/groups/1319-Wolverines-12u

Thanks again for everyone's kind words and support. Your comments on weplay are inspiring and I'm just so appreciative. Every day will get easier and life goes on...

Believe,
#27

Well we're back from China and I'm not sure it's all sunk in yet. I wanted to be sure give you all a huge thanks from the heart for all your support. Your unconditional love and blessings make the pain that much easier to deal with! I promise to write more about everything that happened over the past few weeks once things have settled down a bit more, I'm still trying to make sense of it all. Lots of thoughts, lots of emotions. But I'm home with my family and I could not ask for more!

The real reason I am writing is to give it up for another of my Finch's Favorites. As the summer comes to an end and the fall season begins for many of you, I wanted to wish you all good luck and a great school year. This week's team comes from my home state, which I love. Their name, the Dirt Dogs, is classic!

http://www.weplay.com/groups/1336-Dirt-Dogs

More than anything, it was their main picture that got me. Love the confidence, love the attitude, love the team!

http://www.weplay.com/groups/1336-Dirt-Dogs/media/18418

And it looks like you guys get to play in the fall as well, lucky you! Congratulations again and I'll be back on again soon with more... For now, it's all about the family and I'm so looking forward to the next few months with them!

Remember to always dream & believe no matter what!
#27

Two wins down! The mission continues bright and early tomorrow aftera rain delay today- we're so focused on what we need to do that the extra rest today was not welcome, especially in the middle of a game (we'll finish tomorrow).

Since the first few days, we haven't been able to interact much with other Olympians, but it's still been great and we're enjoying life here in China. At this point, we're so focused on the gold and what we have to do. I think after it's over we'll mingle and make the rounds. But right now we're still in tunnel vision and we're on our mission. So it's nothing but softball, and watching video and practicing and preparing and playing games.

These are big games and even I still get nervous beforehand, for sure. There's like a line of good nervousness and you can go over the line into bad nervousness, but I think it's a good nervousness. You know we're on our toes. You definitely get butterflies you hit the field and when there is a batter in the box, but good butterflies.

The crowds and fans in China have been really supportive, though it's not exactly what we had back home during the Tour. With three gold medals, we don't expect to be the crowd favorites here and that's ok. During the world championships in 2006, by the end, I think we made some friends and fans, so hopefully they'll keep supporting us. We do have our family members out there making some noise, which gets us fired up. Of course, I do miss Casey and Ace so so so much. I'll be home soon, boys!

For some other business... my Finch's Favorite of the week on weplay is......... Congrats to the Rage, a great 12U team from Texas. Way to go, girls and Coach D. Love your colors, too.

http://www.weplay.com/groups/1047-97-RAGE

Loved looking through your photos on your team page - remind me of some very similar ones I have from when I was your age - especially this one.

http://www.weplay.com/groups/1047-97-RAGE/media/18084

Next game is tomorrow against a very strong Japan team - noon Friday (9pm Thursday night back home in California and midnight in the east). Then we finish the Canada game... Thanks to everyone who has been staying up late to watch!

Dreaming and believing,
#27

It starts today, Game 1 against Venezuela. This is what we have been preparing for and we're ready. It seems like we've been preparing forever to get here. And now the day has come. Even here in China, we've been building towards this day after a week of practice, interviews and relaxing in the village with the team.

The Opening Ceremonies were absolutely indescribable. Marching out with entire U.S. delegation was amazing, taking pictures with the other athletes and joking around before we entered the Stadium. But then, to walk in and see the HUGE crowds, many with flags, chanting U-S-A, I was overcome with excitement.

Watching some of the other events has really inspired us, too. Fencing, field hockey, gymnastics and swimming have been really amazing to watch. The President and his wife also came to one of our practices, which was great. Our team has been having a lot of fun together, but the focus is amazing from everyone. We all know what is about to happen and our veterans and coaches are constantly reminding us. I don't see myself as a veteran. I mean, I've been to one. Berg has completed in all three and there are some that have been in two. You just go out and do what you can and you definitely share stories and experiences for sure and you try to conversations about what to expect and what the games are like.

Other countries continue to get better and challenge us. I think part of being USA Softball, we definitely have a target on our back and we get everybody's best game. So there is that much more pressure on top of the pressure that you put on yourselves.

As we get ready for the games, the countries there are a few countries that stand out to me. The first is Japan, who try to make contact and on the run constantly, just trying to make things happen. It will be a good challenge to face them. And Canada has really made some advances in the last four years. They have a lot of U.S. college players playing on their team with a great deal of experience. Australia will also be tough too. Australia.

But we cannot look beyond today have to take one game at a time. Today is Venezuela. Time to show the world what we can do!
Gotta go. SHOW TIME!

Thanks for all your support and prayers!
#27

We're here!
After a long but uneventful flight, we've arrived in China! We've already had a couple of practices and are settling into our new home.


What a crazy few weeks leading up to our trip. Before leaving, we got to spend the day with the President of the United States, who was super excited for all of the Olympians. It was an incredible honor for me. There was a press conference send-off and then we had a formal dinner, which was nice. I got to sit right next to him! That was definitely the highlight of the trip to the White House. We also took some pictures in the Oval Office, me with him and the desk and then him and the First Lady. It was kind of surreal. It just shows how supportive he is of USA and our Olympic team going over. He's going to be joining us here, too.


After that, it was a tough good bye, saying farewell to my family, but I know their love and support are with me. But being together here with the team now, it's all about focus. We're on a mission and ready for battle! Gold or Bust (Not Bustos, who is my roomie!).


Opening Ceremonies are tomorrow, which I've been looking forward to for a long time. Unfortunately, we weren't able to go back in 2004 because we played the next day at noon. Our coach decided that we should rest up instead, which was the right decision, but still disappointing to miss. I remember being in the training room to watch, all of us gathered around because we didn't have TV's in the village. I felt like I was still on my couch, as a young girl, watching it on TV. It didn't feel like we were truly at the Olympics. This time, since we don't open up until the 12th, we're looking forward to finally experiencing that. I can't even imagine what an Opening ceremony is going to be like this time around. I seriously cannot wait.


One of the coolest experiences for me was back in '04 was seeing the greatest athletes in the world all united on one common ground. The Olympic Village is such a treat, absolutely beautiful and so big. Everywhere you go, One World, One Dream is posted all over, as well as the many flags posted all over the place. And just to meet the U.S. athletes, you read all their bios and stories and profiles that are highlighted. And you feel like you know these people and live the same lifestyles as them and then you eat lunch, dinner and breakfast with them. It's pretty cool. All of the USA athletes are a big family!


I know you thought I was going to forget with everything going on, but I did also want to congratulate this week's Finch's Favorite team, the Seattle Fastpitch Club-Venom. Looks like they've got a bunch of new members, new photos (are they seriously rooting for Canada?!?) and blog posts. Great job girls and good luck with 14U!!

http://www.weplay.com/groups/1022-Seattle-Fastpitch-Club-Venom


Before I sign off (it's late here!), wanted to thanks my family, friends, and fans! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I can't say it enough. This is it! It's all happening!

Dreaming and Believing! Love to all!
#27

As packing for our trip to Beijing is keeping me pretty busy, I wanted to be sure to write a quick note about the first of my Finch's Favorites here on weplay.


Congratulations to the Travel Time Bandits of Portland, Oregon.
http://www.weplay.com/groups/638-Travel-Time-Bandits.


They were one of the first softball teams to join weplay - all of the players are involved, as are their parents and coaches - and they continue to build and grow their site. I learned all about their preparation for a recent trip to Utah in the Team News section.


I also really enjoyed looking through all the great photos they posted, including a
bunch of fun ones from their trip. You can just tell that they get what weplay is all about! (I really liked this one -- http://www.weplay.com/groups/638-Travel-Time-Bandits/media/10544).


As a Finch's Favorite, they've been given a special badge on their team page that will let everyone know that I selected them from all the rest. Go check it out and see why they were first! That'll give you another whole week to make your group page bigger and better.


As for our team, we're leaving on Monday, traveling overnight and getting there on Tuesday. It's pretty crazy how that works. But I am really excited that we are peaking at the right time. Much like the Time Bandits, the camaraderie is there and it's going to make us better. The tour was really a lot of fun for us. We've got our list of what we need to pack for the Games, which I'm doing here at home this week as the excitement just keeps building.


Last week, we had a team meeting about the Olympics, what's going on in the Village and veterans talked with the team about what to expect. I think the butterflies were definitely there as we talked, but I think the excitement builds every day.

We're ready!
Time to dream and believe!
-Jennie #27

Well, this is it. Now it's really starting to feel close. Our team has wrapped up the Bound 4 Beijing Tour over the weekend in California... now we're off for a couple days to spend at home and pack, then we're outta here, leaving for China on August 4th.


But what an amazing past few months this has been, with our tour taking us all over the country. Considering it just ended, we haven't really had a chance to reflect on the past few months that deeply, but the entire experience has just been like a huge celebration. Every city we've been to, every stop have been sold out. The welcome has been absolutely amazing and just to see so many young girls so excited about USA softball and about our sport, it just proves how our sport has grown and where it's going and the future of it. It's pretty bright and it's great to be a part of that.


And at the same time, I think it's keeping our eyes on the prize, which is bringing home the gold in Beijing. Train our best and be our best and fine tune the little things that will make the difference in Beijing.


It has been a whirlwind as far as a different city every other day, but at the same time, we are telling ourselves once we get to China and move in the village on the 5th, we're there till the games start and throughout the games. We're not gonna experience the tiredness that we've experienced. And we're gonna be that much better after being in one place for longer than two days.


The tour has also been productive in that we have really come together as a team. Lots of long bus rides will do that for you, obviously great for team bonding? Being on the road together, you can't help but bond. We can all catch up on movies and watch out favorite TV shows, sitcoms and other things that we haven't seen.


Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us at every game. You have no idea how much we appreciate what you do for us. Knowing you're all behind us makes us that much stronger as we head to China. We've got a few days here so I'll definitely write again before we leave.


And of course, my first Finch's Favorite team will come out on Thursday, so do everything you can to get your team pages ready before then. Don't hold back!

Keep dreaming a believing!
-Jennie #27

Hi everyone, especially to all of my new friends who have just signed up from all the ASA leagues around the country. Super excited you guys are here. Thanks to everyone who has friended me and for all the comments on my profile - I'm starting to read them now and they give me so much inspiration - it's just like pitching in front of a big crowd!

Right now, we're just about to finish up our nearly five month-long training tour. Tonight's game is in Salem, Virginia, one of the last two games before we head to the Olympics! Wow - Opening Ceremonies are in two weeks!!!

In the meantime, I hope everyone is having fun on here - and remember to get all of your teammates, friends, coaches, family members and anyone else you can think of to sign up. Either you or a coach can also create a team page for the entire group.

Going through so many of your new group pages has been a lot of fun for us - yup, I'm even showing a bunch to my USA teammates. And remember that each week I'm going to pick out my favorite softball teams - there will be a new Finch Favorite each week and you'll get a badge on your group page letting everyone know. So get those pages set up, get everyone to join and post all your pictures there, too.

http://www.weplay.com/jennie-finch-youth-softball

Before I head to China next week, I'll try to answer a few of your questions, so keep sending 'em in. And check back next week to see if you are the very first of Finch's Favorites.

Always keep dreaming & believing!
#27

After a couple of weeks off, we're back together again here in Portland, Oregon to kick off the last leg of the Bound 4 Beijing tour. It's hard to believe that the Olympics get underway one month from tomorrow! ONE MONTH!

The last two weeks were a good break for us but there's still a lot of softball to be played between now and August and we're going to take advantage of every second of it to prepare both mentally and physically for the test of our lives. We have such a tough schedule that resting my arm is a luxury that I don't really have. Basically I just ice it when not throwing. This isn't really the time for resting since we're getting ready for what could be 10 days in a row of pitching for the Olympics. Right now I'm pushing hard and building up strength.

But even when I'm not pitching, you never know when I will be called on to play the field. There are only two of us that hit on the pitching staff and that's something I've always prided myself in -- trying to be a complete player. Like playing first base when I'm not pitching, that kind of thing.

Especially for the younger girls whose coaches or dads tell them, 'All you're going to do is pitch.' What the heck? You could end up being a shortstop, you never know what the future holds, so I always encourage young girls to play all the positions and know the game. I don't want people to tell you to be a pitcher, you might as well try being a hitter or playing another position. For me, I always want to be on the field.

Of course, there hasn't been time for much else. I used to be able to read USA Today and drink some coffee in the morning, but now it's all truck books or Winnie the Pooh books. I'm trying to get him to learn his ABC's. He loves to read!

Oh and last thing before I go, USA Softball is holding a really awesome auction on ebay for a good cause. Last month we played a game against Canada, the "PinkOut Game," where we all wore pink uniforms to honor breast cancer survivors and create awareness for breast cancer research. There's a bunch of stuff up for bid going until next week. Check it out.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsoftballoutlet

Until next time, keep dreaming and believing!

Hi again, this time from Wisconsin! That's right, we're still rolling along on our Olympic training "Bound 4 Beijing" Tour and the Olympics are now less than two months away!

We're here for a game tonight against the ASA All-Stars, fresh off a weekend stint in Illinois and a game with the tough National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) All-Stars. With that win, we're now 44-1 on the Tour, but more importantly, we're getting in some good work against very good opposition and working on some final tweaks for the Olympics.

For me, it's all about working on my focus. When you put on your uniform and get on the circle it's just you against the hitter. Really, that's what we've been doing our entire lives, just focusing on the task at hand and taking it one pitch at a time. The crowd definitely has a great attitude and it's really special being able to walk into a stadium packed with young (and old), excited fans.

But once you get in the circle, your game face has to be on. Sometimes pitchers say they never even see the face of the person they're throwing at. A lot of times I don't' look at the hitter at all. I don't want to make eye contact with them. It's just me and the catcher sticking to our game plan. How do you stay focused in game situations? Any tricks you can share with me? Would love to hear them.

I was also trying to think of some good stories from the road to share, but there really are just lots of small fun things that happen on the bus or when we're just hanging out. Can't think of any fun stories right now, it's kind of sad and pathetic! We got to see a Red Sox game in Detroit a couple of weeks ago, which was pretty cool. Otherwise we're practicing, traveling, lifting... and our opportunities to rest are very few and far between.

Will try to write again as soon as I can. Until then, stay focused!

Jennie