Monica Abbott
Mexico's Anissa Urtez celebrates as she completes a home run during the softball game between the Mexico and Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Fukushima , Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Engaged couple Chidester, Urtez on softball all-tourney team

Jul. 28, 2021 08:30 PM EDT

Japan's Yukiko Ueno (17) and Yu Yamamoto (5) celebrates after a softball game against the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. Japan won 2-0. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Players, coaches criticize IOC dropping softball as sexist

By Ronald Blum Jul. 28, 2021 03:04 AM EDT

Lydia Jacoby of the United States, sees the results after winning the final of the women's 100-meter breaststroke at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Rough day for stars Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka at Olympics

By Josh Dubow Jul. 27, 2021 06:20 AM EDT

Members of team United States react after a softball game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. Japan won 2-0. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Japan beats US 2-0, turns incredible DP to win softball gold

By Ronald Blum Jul. 27, 2021 02:10 AM EDT

CORRECTS TO BECKER FROM BECK - United States men's 4x100m freestyle relay team Bowen Becker, Blake Pieroni, and Caeleb Dressel celebrate after winning the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Biles tries to lead Team USA to third consecutive gold medal

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 26, 2021 12:36 PM EDT

Canada's Quinn, left, and Chile's Karen Araya battle for the ball during a women's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Titmus, Doncic make memorable Olympic debuts

By Josh Dubow Jul. 26, 2021 03:39 AM EDT

United States' Kelsey Stewart (7) celebrates her game winning home run against Japan as she runs behind Japan pitcher Yamato Fujita (16) in the seventh inning of a softball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Stewart's walk-off HR lifts US over Japan 2-1 for 5-0 record

By Ronald Blum Jul. 25, 2021 11:11 PM EDT

Japan's Yukiko Ueno (17) pitches against Canada in a softball game in Yokohama Baseball Stadium, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
US beats Australia, sets up gold medal rematch with Japan

By Ronald Blum Jul. 24, 2021 11:24 PM EDT

United States' Cat Osterman, center, reacts with teammates after the sixth inning of a softball game against Mexico at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Osterman pitches US softball over Mexico 2-0 for 3-0 start

By Ronald Blum Jul. 24, 2021 03:29 AM EDT

Simone Biles, of the United State, trains on the floor exercise during an artistic gymnastics practice session at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
A list of Olympians to follow on social media

Jul. 22, 2021 07:21 AM EDT

United States head coach Ken Eriksen embraces Monica Abbott after defeating Canada in their softball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Fukushima , Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Abbott 1-hitter lifts US over Canada for 2-0 softball start

By Ronald Blum Jul. 21, 2021 10:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 12, 2016 file photo, France's Teddy Riner, left, competes against Japan's Hisayoshi Harasawa for the gold medal during the men's over 100-kg judo competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Judo is coming home at the Tokyo Olympics, and the Japanese team is under a world of pressure. All of Japan’s stars will be tested, and not all are gold medal favorites. The rest of the world has dynamic champions, and the biggest is 6-foot-8 French heavyweight Teddy Riner, who won two Olympic gold medals and went undefeated in 154 consecutive matches for a full decade from 2010 to 2020 until he lost twice last year. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
The Latest: 3rd Czech athlete tests positive in Tokyo

Jul. 21, 2021 09:45 PM EDT

United States' Cat Osterman reacts with teammate Haylie McCleney, right, during the softball game between Italy and the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Fukushima , Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Osterman strikes out 9, US tops Italy 2-0 in softball opener

By Ronald Blum Jul. 21, 2021 12:56 AM EDT

Japanese softball player Atsumi Mana throws the ball to first base during the team's training session at the Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Olympics finally to start, 1 year later and far from Tokyo

By Ronald Blum Jul. 20, 2021 02:04 AM EDT

Softball is back on the Olympic schedule _ for Tokyo

By The Associated Press Jul. 02, 2021 01:43 PM EDT
HIGHLIGHTS FROM RIO: Softball was dropped for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. It has been dropped again for the 2024 Paris Games but is expected to return for 2028...

FILE - USA Softball pitcher Cat Osterman pitches in an exhibition softball game against USSSA Pride in Oklahoma City, Okla., in this Friday, June 4, 2021, file photo. U.S. coach Ken Eriksen predicts tight competition in softball as the sport returns to the Olympics for the first time since 2008. The 15-woman U.S. roster includes 38-year-old left-hander Cat Osterman, the last holdover from the 2004 gold medal-winning team, and 35-year-old left-hander Monica Abbott, who joined Osterman on the 2008 team. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Americans on many teams as softball returns to Olympics

By Ronald Blum Jun. 29, 2021 12:10 PM EDT