Cat Osterman

Osterman retiring after strong Athletes Unlimited season

By Cliff Brunt Sep. 26, 2021 12:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 21, 2021 file photo, Canada's Victoria Hayward holds her helmet aloft during the softball game between Mexico and Canada at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Fukushima , Japan. Hayward will be back on the field this weekend as a softball player — and as an owner. After hitting .300 at the Tokyo Olympics, the Canadian outfielder heads one of four teams that start play Saturday, Aug. 28, at Athletes Unlimited outside Chicago.(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

League of their own: Softball players are part-owners

By Ronald Blum Aug. 28, 2021 11:51 AM 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

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

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

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

People gather Wednesday, July 21 , 2021, in Brisbane, Australia, for the announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 2032 Summer Olympics bid. The Australian city was the inevitable winner of a one-candidate race steered by the IOC to avoid rival bids. (Jason O'Brien/AAP Image via AP)

The Latest: Top shooter tests positive, will miss Tokyo

Jul. 20, 2021 10:34 PM 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

FILE - Pitcher Cat Osterman smiles as she answers a question during a news conference to announce the USA Softball 2020 Women's Olympic Team in Oklahoma City, in this Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, file photo. Osterman says she will retire from the sport this year. The left-handed pitcher will represent Team USA at the Olympics before defending the Athletes Unlimited title she won last season at age 37. She surprised herself by claiming the Athletes Unlimited title and takes added confidence into her run at a second Olympic gold medal. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

USA's Osterman looks to end decorated softball career on top

By Cliff Brunt Feb. 04, 2021 03:40 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2019, file photo, pitcher Cat Osterman smiles as she answers a question during a news conference to announce the USA Softball 2020 Women's Olympic Team in Oklahoma City. Osterman is the first Athletes Unlimited softball champion. The league crowned her its individual champion on Monday, Sept. 29, 2020, based on points scored in games played during a five-week season played in a bubble at a sports complex in Rosemont, Ill. The 37-year-old left-hander compiled 2,408 points, followed by Jessica Warren, Victoria Hayward and Erika Piancastelli. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Cat Osterman named 1st Athletes Unlimited softball champion

By Cliff Brunt Sep. 29, 2020 07:02 PM EDT

Infielder Sam Fischer reacts during Athletes Unlimited practice on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, in Rosemont, Illinois. Elite players are living life in a bubble to prevent the spread of COVID during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited softball season. When they're not at the ballpark or an indoor facility across the parking lot, they are at their hotel or apartment. Everywhere else is off limits to them. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford)

For softball players, season of 'shield life' nears an end

By Andrew Seligman Sep. 24, 2020 03:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2019, file photo, Canada's Victoria Hayward watches her inside-the-park grand slam against Guatemala during the first inning of a game in the Softball Americas Olympic qualifier tournament in Surrey, British Columbia. Hayward would have been in Japan right about now preparing for the Olympics as captain of Canada's softball team. The coronavirus pandemic pushed the Summer Games back a year. But she will not have to wait too much longer to get back on the field. She is one of the 56 elite players signed to suit up when Athletes Unlimited launches the first of its professional women's sports leagues with a six-week season near Chicago in late August and an innovative model made for the moment. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

New league attracts softball's best, gives power to players

By Andrew Seligman Jun. 30, 2020 11:52 AM EDT