June 9, 2025 • 39 mins
Live from the ballpark, Dropping Diamonds with AJ Andrews, kicks off with an opening day special. AJ is joined by two legends, Olympic gold medalists Jennie Finch and Jessica Mendoza. They share their inspirations, career highlights, and the impactful moments that shaped their softball journeys. They also reflect on the evolution and future of professional women's softball, the significance of MLB's investment in AUSL, and their predictions of who would win the opening day game between the Talons and the Bandits.
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Dropping Diamonds with AJ Andrews is in partnership with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL).
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Dropping Diamonds with Aj Andrews is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League and Deep
Blue Sports and Entertainment. What's up, everybody? Hello, it's opening day.
You have to feel more loud than that. It's opening
(00:23):
day house, everybody? All right, Well, welcome. I'm so excited
to be here today with two legends. You are now
listening to Dropping Diamonds with Me AJ Andrews when we
dive headfirst into the world of softball, and today we're
diving head first with two amazing softball players that need
no introduction, but I will give them one anyway, Two
(00:45):
legends of the game to Olympic gold medalists. You'll see
them both commenting on softball and baseball, but they're also
entrepreneurs and just inspirations and leaders in the game of softball.
Just Comndoza and Jenny Finch.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Oh to check? Want to? That's not for us? I
think we're good. Wow. Do you guys think you guys
can sing? No? Yeah, well, when.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
We start off the Dropping Diamonds podcast where we drop
diamonds like dropping gems, I'm curious as to you. We
have to leave it off strong with a quote that
you feel like has really got you through your career
or something that really empowers you or makes you feel inspired.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Mohamma Gandhi.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
That's a big one for me because I.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Think a lot of times we get caught up and
like complaining or like I wish the world was this
way or things were this way, and it's like, no,
be the change, Like you go out be active, like
do the things that you want to see different or
you know ausl. I think it is a perfect example
of that, like being proactive and trying to make change.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
And not just talking about, Oh I wish we had
this or that.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Be a change you wish to see in the world.
Speaker 5 (01:51):
I think my dad always instilled me growing up, be
the best that you can be, and with a big
emphasis on that you can be, and that means not
looking to your left, looking to your right, not comparing,
because I think, especially in this day and age of
social media, we can get so lost in comparison and
our gifts can get drowned out by everyone else and
what everyone else is doing. But they have this, they're
(02:13):
doing that, but you know and it's like no, no, no,
just put your head down, keep working and be the
best you like. You have gifts and you have strengths,
and this world needs you, not a second best you.
You trying to be somebody else. So be who you
were created to be.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Be who you were created to be.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
I feel like we would put an affirmation together from
those two quotes. It would be be who you were
created to be so that you can make the impact
in the world.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Beautiful nice, wake up every morning, Be.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Who you're created to be so you can make your
specific impact. And it leads me to believe. I remember
this one book I read and I've talked about how
every mountain you encounter, it's your mount and.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Just show it can be moved.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
So if you're not living authentically within your truth, you're
not able to knock down that mount to show other
people that it can't be moved. So if I want
to think both of you though, Because as far as inspirations,
what many don't know is that the reason why I
even dods broadcasting, it's because Jessica Mendoza came up to
me one day at the SEC tournament and I won't
tell the date, but it was at LSU when we
(03:08):
were playing and she came in she said, if you
ever thought about doing broadcasting? I was like, I mean, yeah,
actually I had a little show at LSU, but I
never thought about pursuing it fully. And then after that
I went back to school and got my master's degree
and here I am today. And that all started because
of the nugget that Jessica Mendoza put in.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
My mind of it. Doesn't you should be.
Speaker 5 (03:29):
Broadcasting, dropping, dipping, dripping.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Well she was also crushing it, I mean as an athlete.
But then you just recognize and I did, like you
were like twenty twenty.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
One years old, you were so young?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Wow back and by the way, it's my birthday, so
it's it's an anniversary of that twenty second birthday. Won't
say what anniversary, but we're anniversary of twenty second being
twenty two when we are less than two hours away
from the start of the very first game of Aussel
where the talents will be playing the bandits what you
guys me, think of one word that describes today and
(04:03):
all that it took to.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Get to today. What emotion would you express with one word?
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Heck, yes, yeah, I mean funny together yeah, sorry, all
one one syllable heck yes, no, the finally the heck yes.
Like I mean, there's so much momentum that we've had
for so long, and so many people ask like, you know,
did you see this coming when you were playing, and
it was like, yes, we've seen this for so long
and now it's here.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
I think, so, finally, what would be that? And I
think just courage because I think about the people that
invested when it wasn't cool, and the people that reached
out and allowed so many before us to play the game,
and you know, like without each of those chapters, we
would not be here. So I just think about the mothers,
(04:50):
the grandmothers, the great grandmothers. So many did not have
this and now we are here, and these young girls
this is their normal, and I think that's what excites me.
And this is way more than one word, but like,
this is normal coming to a pro softball game, and
I'm here for it. I love it. I have a
twelve year old daughter and she just thinks that women's
(05:11):
sports is always on TV, like she has no idea,
and I don't want her to think anything else but that,
because what that generation is going to be when they
get here, it's going to be unreal. I can't even
imagine you.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Both being AUSL advisors and a big part of bringing
this together today. What were some key moments that led
to this moment to this finally Kimming?
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Yeah, Bringing Kim Ang on board has been absolutely a
game changer, and it definitely I think helped us because
we're still like athletes at heart, and so she's like
been our coach, you know, like ralling us together team meetings,
like who are hiring as gms and coaches, and Kim
Ing is our leader and the fact that she has
so much history with Major League Baseball has made that connection.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
She's been a huge part of this.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
And I just think how light years ahead because we
have her because she's been there, she's done it, She
saw what works, what doesn't work, how to manage, how
to make the success, what makes a successful teammate our team,
and as well as the business side, being a general
manager from the baseball side, and she knows what true
professionalism is and she carries that every single day and
(06:19):
she expects that and that's what we're bringing here with AUSL.
And now's the time it can be more thrilled and
I think about Carol Stiff, who was just legendary as
far as putting softball on TV. And I think our
freshman year of college, one game was aired and it
was tape delayed of the World Series. And then our
(06:42):
senior year, every single game was on ESPN Live and
we thought we were just that was incredible to think
that here we are. And then it was Carol Stiff's
idea to have bring in super regionals. Why because people
were tuning in and the numbers and the ratings were there,
and so how do we extend this? How do we
tell the story and make this last even longer? And
so I just think of the decades of her hard
(07:04):
work and her walking into her boss's room, her office
over and over and over and not accepting no and
bringing the numbers into show like we don't. It's not
like I said earlier, it's not a charity case, like
we deserve this. We belong here, and you guys, thanks
to the fans, you guys have got us here. And
I think now it's even more important for our fan
(07:24):
base and mainstream audiences to tell your friends, tell everybody,
share on social media like now we are here, but
now the fans have to show up and show out
in an enormous way so we can continue and carry
this on.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Yeah, fans being the vehicle that really drives the league
and drives the inspiration. You talk about Kimming being someone
that has really been such a powerful force. What have
you both learned the most from Kimming in this process
as commissioner to now bringing this new league to fruition.
Speaker 5 (07:51):
I think I appreciate most her just relatability. She's she's humble,
she's powerful, she's strong, she's confident, and I just love
having that those qualities come out as she's leading this
entire shit and her expertise obviously, you know, and being
an ex athlete, like Jess said, and she speaks our language.
(08:12):
She's one of us, and it always comes back to
me like for the athlete, by the athlete, and that's
truly what athletes in the limit it is.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
She's so smart.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
You know, you put her in a room with anyone,
and you know, I idolized her to be honest within
Major League Baseball when I started doing Major League Baseball
and to knowing the other women, let alone someone that
was at her caliber, you know, running being a general manager,
doing all these first and then she comes back to
us softball.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
There's Kim right there, yes, speaking.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Yeah, speaking of the legend, and I'm like, yeah, exactly, no,
I to be able to work with her, but honestly
knowing like her roots are here. She's playing second base
in Chicago, by the way, like this is this is
her home roots too. So I think just understanding that
it all kind of comes full circle for all of us.
They're branching and other sports, but ultimately softballs where we belong.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
How did Kim get the advisory board together? How did
you guys all even come to be what you are today?
Speaker 4 (09:08):
I mean, you get a text from Kim and it's like, yes, absolutely,
But to be honest, we've been waiting. You know, we've
been apart, we've been playing in different pro leagues. We've
been trying to like help support do whatever we can,
and this one felt different, and so it was a
very easy.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Yes, there was no hesitation.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
A lot of it was the fact that Kim was
the one reaching out, but ultimately was the fact that
this is something different and special and for me.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
The same of course. Was super supportive of athletes unlimited
and everything that they were doing. But I was skeptical.
We've been through the ringer, we've seen it all, Like,
why is this any difference, And you know, talking to
the athletes, it was truly a professional experience and they
were enjoying it and everything that I heard was good,
but I was still they're missing the team dynamic. And
for me, before Athletes Unlimited, sixty athletes come in, they play,
(09:55):
they have a leader board system, and then we have
four winners, they become captain. So it was just this
constant which it was really really cool and unique, but
at the same time, like the most beautiful thing to
me about this sport is that it's a team sport
and the sisterhood and the camaradity within it. I'm part
of a battery. Like I need to catcher, and I
don't want a different catcher every week, Like that's that's
for the birds. For me, like I want the same catcher.
We're gonna go to war and we're gonna compete. We're
(10:16):
gonna prepare, and we're gonna be ready for that. And
so when the change of Athletes Unlimited was Okay, we're
gonna create a league. There's gonna be four teams. They've
listened to the players. The players had expressed that this
is their dream, their want. They reach out to Kim
Kim Jupon and then as soon as Kim called, She's like,
what do you think about AU? And I was like, honestly,
I've just been kind of holding out supporting from AFAR,
like of course all in, but I still don't know.
(10:38):
And She's like, I'm thinking about it, and I'm like, Okay,
if you're in, I'm in. Yeah. So basically, Kim a
two words that that was the game changer for us.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
You both played in the MPF.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
If you've seen the rise and the fall of that league,
when you come in, when you're the advisory board and
you're having those discussions that first meeting, what did you
take from playing in the NPF to ASL to say
this is what we're gonna do different, how we're gonna
make it better equality.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
I just felt like one of the biggest faults of
the NPF was like some players were getting paid a lot,
others were not getting paid as much.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
You know, you had certain teams that just didn't have.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
The same support system, and then you know, the team
that I played for had like all the support in
the world, and it just wasn't fair. So we're going
and beating up on teams and then you saw players
getting paid two thousand dollars for the year and you're like,
this isn't legal, Like that's even happening, And so you
want to see that equality, like and understanding. Yes, if
you're performing, you get bonuses, of course, just like any job.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
But from the get go it should be hey, we
recognize your professional athlete, and we are going to treat.
Speaker 5 (11:35):
You like them. Yeah, And I honestly, like, I'm so
thankful for the NPF and the foundation that it laid,
because without the NPF, we wouldn't be here today. And honestly,
we were just so thrilled to have the opportunity to
play professionally. Like it didn't even have to be professionally.
We just had the opportunity to play post college. And
so I you know, and it's so hard because you
don't want to downgrade anything that was done, but without
those chapters and those people investing when nobody was investing,
(12:00):
we wouldn't be here today. And I think the main
thing is, you know, women peek in their twenties and
so for us my you know, we wanted these athletes
to come in and be challenged and be coached and
have next level access to anything and everything for them
to elevate their game. And I think that's what excites
me the most is these general managers, these head coaches
(12:22):
like they have the credibility. And I've already heard it
from the players like they're on cloud nine because they're
still being coached at the professional level. And I don't
think we've had that level of coaching and access to
technology and anything that you need to be a success
they have at childcare, health insurance. I mean, this is truly,
this is it, and I can be more excited for
(12:44):
the athletes to finally get this true professional experience and
be treated like and I think the only thing we
wanted to really worry about is being on the field,
like we're an athlete. That's but we were so worried,
had to be worried about everything else, paying our bills,
doing everything else. But yes, and now these athletes like
this is it. This is what they do. They show
up and play.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
The MPF led the pavement so that AUSL can drive fast.
Because right now, women's sports it is a movement, not
a moment. When you think about that, you try to
propel AUSL and softball, propel them forward.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
With the movement. What do you think needs to happen
continue to happen.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
People need to know, Like we still get the questions,
you know, Oh man, I love watching the women's college
World Series.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
It's so awesome, Nija can't all these stars like I
just wish it was professional softball.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
And like every year, I'm like, there is. It's so awesome.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
And you know, now we've seen I mean, we have
never seen the amount of marketing dollars, amount of attention,
golden tickets. I mean, just the creativity that AUSL has brought.
The word is definitely out there. But I want to
continue that reach. MLB is going to be a huge
part of that, them bringing in their marketing dollars to
their own audience. But I don't want to answer another
question of why isn't their women's professional softball.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
We are here and we are here to stay.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
And I think that was the most fascinating thing is yes, yes,
And speaking of dropping diamonds, it's not a moment. It's
a movement like Mic drop on that. It's a movement
and you know played in Arizona, thirty five hundred fans
showed up every weekend, Like we know that there's a
market for it, but we just didn't have the marketing
to really pull it off. And now I think all
hands are on deck. We're all moving in the right direction,
(14:19):
and all gms, all head coaches like please believe when
they step on the field, they're going to be competitive
and ultra competitive that is. But ultimately, like we are
all on the same team and we are all pushing
the needle forward. And so I think that's what we've
never had in a league, is having everybody all aboard
and under kimmaning to make this thing work and to
do whatever it takes to make it work. But like
(14:40):
I said too, it's going to take the fans and
we've got to put our money where our mouth is.
And you guys have been awesome. And that's why I
think every single person signed autographed with me, because it's like,
thank you for being here, because you showing up it matters.
You going online sharing it matters, because that's how this
is going to be a success, is getting the word out,
telling your friends, to telling anybody and everybody about the
(15:02):
world's best softball and what's happening, and so we can
continue the momentum and build that bridge from the college
game and the excitement of the Women's College World Series
throughout the entire summer.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
It matters, and we matter as women and as softball players.
And Jess, I've read that you said at some point
we need to flip the switch and understand how great
we were and great we are when you talk about
how great softball players are, how great women in sports are.
What was your most eye opening realization of saying, No,
I deserve more, and this is I'm going to pursue it,
(15:34):
especially with AUSL, make sure that these girls get more.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
You know, I think just seeing every time a little
girl sees like these women on a stage or anytime
softball's on television, you get the text messages like the
sport is so awesome, and there's these eye opening moments
all the time where I'm like, we are here, And
I think that's where I've been frustrated for so long,
because our sport has been here, we just didn't know
(15:57):
how to reach all of you.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
And now we've have finally.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
That platform, and I think that's where the eye opening
has been there like, honestly, as long as we've been playing,
it's been the best sport, Like it's been must watch TV.
But now you guys know it and we're getting that
word out there even more.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
We'll be dropping more diamonds after these messages.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
MLB now investing in AUSL.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
You both have been involved, Jessica you commenting on baseball
and then Jennie you being a softball ambassador for Major
League Baseball. What are the conversations been like within the
baseball community. Are they just as excited as we are
to now have more investment of MLB and so we
can just see the talent of softball showcase, not just
within the softball community, but also in the baseball community.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
I work with the Dodgers and listening to them be like, wait,
we're getting involved in softball because I've been hearing from
Major League Baseball players like you're talking to like Mookie Bets.
It has been like when he is so excited, he
has his whole entire company. He's like, I want I
want all those players to be wearing my batting gloves
and my like he is like giddy, He's like, let's go.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
I want to partner with all of these women.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
He's like, well, there be a women's Dodger team, Like
he wants all of them, like if you're lucky, you know.
But that's where I hear it from the players is
they've always been supportive. They've been watching softball on television,
but there's never been the connection like we see with
like the WNBA and the NBA.
Speaker 5 (17:26):
I think their mentality is it's about time, Like where
has it been? You know, We've been waiting and ready
for it forever and so now finally it's here, and yeah,
we need all hands on deck and we can't wait.
And that's what I love the most. And so many
people have so many connections to softball, like it runs
so deep, and so many people grew up playing softball,
(17:46):
which back in the day it wasn't so much, but
now it's so exciting to see how many people have
been touched by our sport.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
What were your first thoughts when you heard MLB was
investing in AOSL.
Speaker 5 (17:56):
I'm like, oh my gosh, all those many hours and
those lunches and those meetings that I just walked in
and tried to mention it and drop seeds like thousands
of seeds and it's finally here, like the seeds are
growing and and I love it because it's earned and
like you were saying, like the value is there and
people are tuning in, like investors want to step on
(18:18):
board because it's worth it, and we're finally to that point.
And I think, you know, and we've never really had
the consistency. And I think that's gonna be a game
changer for us is every single night you guys can
tune in and see Pro Fast Pitch on TV, whether
it be MLB dot Com, MLB Network, ESPN platforms, and
so you can watch matchups, you can tune in and
(18:39):
see and follow your favorite player. Well, it used to
be like one random game on a Tuesday at one o'clock, Like,
who's gonna be able to follow that one? I mean,
of course we did, you know, because we were watching.
But ultimately, and I think that's when the cultural series,
it's the consistency and the back to back of a
month and a half of your you're falling in love
with these athletes and caring about their stories inspired and
(19:01):
so that's what excites me most is about the next
six weeks and the storylines that are gonna prevail and
just talk about something too. And I remember we would
be in the Pro League and it was like, who's
this girl and she's like, yeah, you know, all MPF team,
But she played for a smaller school and now she's
peaking in her mid twenties. Stacey May comes to mine
a bandit and she's just like boom. And then all
(19:21):
of a sudden she gets invited to try for the
Olympic team. And here she came from Iowa, you know,
but just didn't have the platform like we're talking about.
So I'm super excited for those superstars that didn't have
the big college experience but come in here and bust
it and now are just all stars. And so that's
so many, so many things are gonna prevail in the
next six weeks and from from here. So it's it's
(19:42):
gonna be great to follow.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
Do you think that media attention is going to impact
them as far as dollars money, dollars sponsorship? How do
you see her sponsors getting involved within AUSL just because
of a higher platform alone.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
It's the co branding, I mean, the fact that you're
gonna see Major League Baseball right next with AUSL.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
I mean the that they are.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Now together, and it's the marketing dollars. To me, it's
you know a lot of people think, oh well, I
don't you know team owners own a team. I love
the aosl owns themselves. But the marketing is where we've
needed help. So that money is going to be huge.
I mean the audience that Major League Baseball has, there's
so many fans I keep referencing to Dodgers, but there's
so many softball fans within our Dodger organization. Tasha and
(20:21):
I went and we did a whole softball game with
all of the Dodger like people that wanted to be
a part of it, and they were asking, why don't
we have more softball invall Now that marketing attention cost
to those.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Fans that never knew it was there.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
We talk about marketing. I feel like neither of you
really needed that much marketing. Your talent let it. We
talk about how it's pitching or outfield or hitting. I'm
gonna go into what's called the no fly zone part
when we talk about your favorite aspect of your game.
No fly zone, what is your favorite play that you've
made in your career where you could say favorite outing, Jenny.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
If you can't think of a play.
Speaker 5 (20:58):
I think women's college well, it's series national championship game,
and I dove out for a ball, like I love
so you did turn into a though, and like seeing Nija.
I don't know if you guys saw it, but like,
nothing fires me up more because I can't tell you
how many coaches tell pitchers to stay in your circle,
don't field the ball, and it's like absolutely, like we
have three seconds to get that runner going to first base.
You have to play the game, and you have to
(21:19):
be a good fielding I'm getting fired up, right. You
have to be a good fielding pitcher like you play pitcher,
and you play everywhere else, wherever else you need because
you were an athlete, be an athlete, and so I
love I love seeing pictures just go all out and
show more than just pitching the ball.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
It's so funny because as position players, whenever you guys
do make a play like oh she's athletic.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
Too, Yes, okay, this is going I did find myself
being in a two way player, and that's excites me
more seeing more and more two way players, like pitchers
are being so good that they can't be forced into
the box of just pitching. Only don't tell you that
you can only be a pitcher. Keep hitting, keep swinging
the back, keep playing a position, and it's.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
Coming back around. I mean, as your Kennedy, we saw her.
She was just a one literally a pitcher, and now
she's a hitter.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
All the things.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Jordi ball, Ye, yeah, Robin a home run. Well, I
love Robin home runs. But there was once Lori Harrigan
was pitching. We're playing in the US Cup, and like
some there was a photographer there, which we didn't have
a lot of attention, but they actually got the whole
sequence of me jumping over the fence to rob yeah,
piece by piece, so it's like jump jump jump jump jump,
like literally ended up like would look like six feet
(22:26):
over the wall. And my dad of course framed it
and has it like a whole sequence thing. But it
was so cool because for my pitcher and Laurie Harrogan
had been struggling. I remember she had given up a
couple hits, which I mean, I get it's tam Usa.
We were probably still winning by a lot, but I
remember doing that and just having this moment and I
was like knew on the team, she was our veteran pitcher,
and I was like, I wanted to do this so
bad for her, And I remember coming down and having
(22:49):
a moment with her like okay, maybe she likes me now,
like maybe I'll make the team.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
Like this is cool.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
But anytime you're robin home runs for your team, that
is availing.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
Yes, And I would say there's no feeling when like
you just you know you could have had it if
you jump like a second later where it tips off
your glove.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
Yea, Robbie, the home run is the best one. Where
were you sinner? Left? That's fine? Left?
Speaker 3 (23:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Did you know you had it the whole time? Oh?
Speaker 4 (23:11):
Yes, okay, yeah, I was gonna fly. Like literally, I
felt like I flew. Like it was like one of
those things where it was like I'm catching this ball.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Did you have to climb the fence or just run
on run?
Speaker 3 (23:21):
I used it like stepped and then I like run
up another.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Oh that's fun, and.
Speaker 5 (23:25):
It's however, got it?
Speaker 4 (23:26):
So it's like the whole moment, so it's not just
my head, Like when I'm telling my kids, I'm like, yeah,
I flew and I caught a ball.
Speaker 3 (23:32):
Right, Look, let's go to Grandpa's house. He's got it.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
You guys play with one another. Do you have a
favorite play? She just do you have a favorite play
of Jenny?
Speaker 4 (23:40):
Well, I dress I just have a Finchy story just
because like I knew her, she didn't probably know me yet,
but she like her dad had this thing called the
finch Windmill. So we're like twelve years old and we're
playing these like you know, travel ball tournaments and like
you know, like softball talk about marketing like there's nothing.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
And I remember we had our little like media guide for.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
The tournament, like the twelve year or the fourteen year tournament,
and there's Jenny with the finch wind meal and I
didn't know it was her dad. So I'm like, shoot,
she's already got a deal, Like look at this girl.
And like you know, we were playing against her, and
we were like all nervous. We're like, there's the girl
from the finch wind meal thing, and she was like
in the media guide like it was her photo. And
I remember thinking like, man, she's she's famous and.
Speaker 5 (24:17):
Dad bought it. Yeah, and I didn't get paid, but.
Speaker 3 (24:21):
I didn't know it was her dad.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
I just thought like this like finch girl, but I
didn't know if it was even your last name. And
it's just so ironic because she ended up being everything
for our sport, the face of our sport. But at
twelve years old, I already like saw it. I was like,
oh my gosh, she's such a big deal, Like she's
pitching against us. It's the Finch girl, and I didn't
even know, like that was your last name. And then
she ended up being the biggest name we've ever had
(24:43):
in our sport. Handled it very well.
Speaker 5 (24:45):
I don't know about that, but just so thank but
as a pitcher, like nothing's better than your outfielders just
having your back, and I think too, even just watching
I don't know. For some reason, this year's World Series
just stood out to me so much and it's like
I would have not been anything that I ever was
with al my amazing teammates, and I just appreciate, yes,
and outfielders snagging those.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Home field guys, the young kids. It's way outfield's.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
Absolutely just watched Sports Center. That's all the highlights.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
I say that all the time.
Speaker 5 (25:14):
They say like infielders, it gets by the infielders hurt too,
it gets by the oudies. It kills you right, and
it's so true, like they're the last drop. Last line
of defense is your oudies, so Oudi's like there's even
double pressure because you don't even have backup.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
The infielders have.
Speaker 5 (25:26):
Backup, but as an outfielder, you don't have backup. I
think what the picture comes to mind when in Athens,
like our first Olympics, and she just like plumbled through
Stacy Farnsworth who was playing for Greece, and like the
picture was on the front page I think every newspaper.
But it was just so cool. It was just like relentless.
And of course there was no obstruction rules back then,
(25:46):
thank God, or maybe not, I don't know, Well, thank God,
just take down.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
She was obstructing home play but there was no rules,
so I took her out, but she was in the way.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
I love how you casually said it, so I took
her out.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
But when you think of the best outfield play, becoming
the best outfitter you can be, what would you say
is the best tip that you could give any outfielder
on snagging those home run balls, making the great diving plays,
and becoming a pitcher's favorite.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
That it's all about the reads.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
I think outfielders feel like they need to be the
speedy players. They have to be so fast, and to me,
like the beauty and being a great outfielder is like
taking your reps, like when everyone's taking batting practice, like
watching the reads your first step, Like you don't have
to be super fast, you don't even have to be
insanely athletic, but you need to be able to read
the ball off the bat. And it's such a beautiful
thing when you understand you see it even before and ag,
(26:38):
I know you get this, Like you'll see a foul ball.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
And you're like, oh, I gotta go at that. Yeah,
you're like you see it.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
You just you feel where the ball is going to
go before she even hits it. And that's that's synergy.
That to me is like what makes outfield so beauty beautiful,
But it takes practice, like so not just taking like
someone funnging you balls, but actually being like getting your
reps in when you're taking batting practice and just being
out there like you're in a game and reading the
ball off the bat because all you see is the
(27:03):
end play, but ultimately it's the first few steps that matter.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
Can you think of one play that is any plays
that ever haunt you. I was like, oh, I could have.
I know I could have got that one. I have one.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
I know it's at least sleeps tell us. It was
the World Series in twenty fifteen, were playing Michigan and
it was in the semi finals and there was a
ball hit. I don't know what the score was at
this point, maybe it was tied, but they ended up winning.
I think like two to one or three to one.
It was something very close. But I went in dove
for a ball. I don't know that I could have
(27:36):
caught it, but in my mind I always think I.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Can, yeah, And I just missed it. And then a
run scored and I felt like I could have.
Speaker 4 (27:44):
You always have to yeah, never regret that I don't
have an outfield one. This is so sad, But as
a hitter, I remember playing Arizona. The year that she
just talked about was her favorite year. When they won
the national championship. They had to beat US Stanford. It
was actually Becky Lempke throwing and I was up to
bat the runner at second base and you guys were
only winning one nothing, which was a miracle, and Beculum
(28:06):
Key threw me a changeup, which I love change ups
and I missed it and I struck out until this day,
I'm like, we could have tied Arizona and broke their
streak and then they never would have won if I
had just gotten that hit.
Speaker 5 (28:16):
I'm sure glad you didn't, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Jenny anything or you just struck everyone out and.
Speaker 5 (28:22):
No, no, there's a lot, there's a lot. Actually the
MPF Championships, it was I'm Michael's I think we were
up against Ohio and who was total blank Ohio team
Acron oh Akron Akron, Oh my god, sir racers. Yes, yes,
and she hit a home run faux count rise ball
(28:44):
that did not rise and I'm still wacked it up
or didn't rise enough.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
I'll tell you that you have mentioned I think it
was on MLB you talked about the less grip, the
more advantage you have.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Can you explain that a little bit more?
Speaker 5 (28:56):
Well, So when my first international experience will like real,
I guess was World Championships. We were in Canada and
we were playing Australia and they were picking my grips
and so that's when I had to go to two grips.
So I had about three or four different grips depending
on my pitches, and so I ended up just condensing
and going to two grips. So I would throw four
(29:18):
seam grip for my dropall drop ball, screwball, change up,
and then a rise ball and curve. I just made
it the same grip just to try to limit because
as you saw Mike White from Texas, he not only
he left the third base coaches box and went to
the first base coaches boxes, the men's facetag pitches.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
I swear they could pick any anything.
Speaker 5 (29:38):
And you know that they've watched Thank god, I'll think
about all of the scouting reports and video like they
were picking him way back then, but now they can
watch it in their office over and over and over
every single pitch and it's all cut for them. But yeah,
just going from three or four different grips down to
two just to keep it more simple, to try to
keep Australia.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
From picking it was that a huge adjustment.
Speaker 5 (29:59):
Actually it was a lot easier than I thought. And
again with just like I feel like anything with a
lot of reps, but I had to like there was
no choice, right, Like, you can't you don't want the
hitter to have any advantage. So this is.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
Like your forcing grip, and then what was the other one?
Speaker 5 (30:14):
It was like my middle finger along the sea, and
I would my finger is actually literally crooked, but it's
already tucking. Oh my gosh, So riseball, curveball, and then
change up and I throw drop ball, screwball, and then
I can tuck it for the change up.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
What was your favorite pitch to throw?
Speaker 5 (30:30):
Strike three?
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Period?
Speaker 5 (30:33):
Thanks for setting me up on that.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
There's more to cover, but first let's take a quick break.
We talked about it a little bit, the things that
we feel like we could have done better.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
But we all know failure is a part of success.
It's not the opposite.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
Is there any failure that you would say is your
favorite failure that you feel like you've learned the most
from actually allowed you to prepel forward to have the
most success.
Speaker 4 (31:03):
I remember, it's really sad by the way when you
say failure and how quickly Yeah, I'm like, I have
so many things I can think of. But that's such
a good point because I remember being in the Dominican
Republic playing in the Pan m Games.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
It's so sad out.
Speaker 4 (31:15):
Detailed this like you the time of day is a yes, no,
And it's funny because Finch talks about hers, I'm like,
I don't remember this at all. I only remember her
just dominating. But two thousand and three Dominican Republic, and
you know, we're playing in the pan Ams and they
were about to pick the two thousand and four Olympic team.
This is our first what would be our first Olympic team?
(31:38):
And I was in my head, I was so insecure
about like, oh my gosh, I'm on the field with
Lisa Fernandez, like how would I ever make this team?
Speaker 3 (31:44):
Like Crystal Bustos, are you kidding me?
Speaker 4 (31:46):
Like?
Speaker 3 (31:46):
And I started to really.
Speaker 4 (31:47):
Believe how not good I was and AJ like no joke.
I became the player that I feared, And I think
we had we let that insecurity fuel us to some
points of like working hard and getting after it, but
at some point we need to flip the switch and
know how great we are. That was such a huge
learning lesson because I hit like a buck ninety, could
(32:08):
not find my swing and even when I looked in
the mirror, I remember being like in the Dominican like
in the bathroom, going where are you Jess? And I
had created such a huge insecurity that I didn't know
how to find myself again, and I promised myself, like
I'm never gonna let this if I somehow make that
Olympic team, because God knows, like my Candra is like
what happened to my three older like she can't hit.
(32:29):
If I do make that Olympic team, I will never
let myself disbelieve in myself this much. I need to
believe how great I am. And it took time, but
that failure, I mean for like two weeks of failure
is what taught me that I needed to be better.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
How did you flip that switch?
Speaker 1 (32:44):
Because it sounds easy, but I feel like it's hard
to pull poll until you finally get there and it
pull these switches?
Speaker 2 (32:49):
Was there something that helped you flip it easier?
Speaker 4 (32:52):
So ironically there is no switch like I wish there
had been, Like that would have been awesome if I could
to just flip that switch and here we go, like
I'm good again.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
It took me.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
Not working, still striking out.
Speaker 4 (33:07):
No, it made me realize that every single day, just
like we practice our swing and like we practice our
softball and all the things, I had to practice believing
in myself. As crazy as that sounds, I remember thinking
I need to look myself in the mirror and believe
that the person looking back is the best player on
the field, and understand what that feels like, because AJ
what the switch feels like for me, and I use
(33:29):
it now in television when I start to lose confidence
and feel like should I even be here right now?
Is that feeling I get when I know I'm great, Like,
it's a feeling and it goes away so quickly. I
try to hold on to that feeling. Do it every
day so I can practice it like a muscle, and
then when I need it and it's the bottom of
the seventh inning and the bases are loaded, and I'm like, Jess,
(33:51):
can you do this? All of a sudden, there's that
switch and it's that I've grown it and I feel
it inside of me, and I'm like, look at the
picture now, and I'm like.
Speaker 3 (33:58):
Girl, you're going back. Yeah, it's on.
Speaker 2 (34:01):
I got the feeling today. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:03):
I talk about that as well. You have to work
it out like a muscle, and you will look in
the mirror. Okay, maybe my eyebrows.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
Didn't do what they're supposed to do today, but my
eyelashes look great.
Speaker 5 (34:10):
Right.
Speaker 1 (34:10):
You gotta find the positive every single time and then
rock with that positive. Do you have a failure, Jenny
that you feel like excelled you or propelled you to success?
Speaker 5 (34:19):
Yeah. So it was in college. We were headed down
to play Arizona State, and Arizona like you did not
lose to Arizona State. We had like a thirty eight
game winning streak against ASU and we were loaded up
the bus head down there. And this was my sophomore
year and my freshman like I thought, I went to Arizona,
We're gonna win four national championships, like this is cake,
(34:39):
They're the best in the country, Like coach ca Andre
is their coach. I'm a wild Cat, We're gonna win.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Well.
Speaker 5 (34:45):
I remember falling short that fresh freshman year, coming home
on the plane earlier than we expected, and being like,
oh my gosh, this is this is a lot harder
than I expected, and this is gonna take a lot
of work. And so I just remember, like my sophomore
year was like, man, when we get to Oklahoma City,
I want to have the ball in my hand, and
I want my coach to want me, and I want
(35:05):
my teammates to want me in that circle, and I
thought this was it. We're starting PACKED twelve then, which
was one of the tough or was the toughest conference
back when we played, and so every weekend was a
dog fight similar to the SEC now and we get off,
ready to go. I'm pumped, right, Fince, you got the ball,
Heck yeah, let's go. And we ended up losing. I
(35:27):
ended up losing the game, left another rise ball over
the plate, home run walk off, and I felt like
this is the lowest of lows, like we do not
lose the ASU, like eight games or eight years of
not losing to ASU, thirty eight game winning streak, and
here's me took the l you know, for the program.
I let the tradition down, I let the alumni down, like,
(35:47):
oh my gosh, I was going deep and I was
in a dark, dark hole for the longest bus ride
of my life. But before getting on that bus, I
remember hugging my dad and I would always compose myself
until you see them right and right before I got
on the bus, so I'm like, so I just lost
it in his chest. I was like, Dad, I never
want to have this feeling again. I never want to
lose again. Longest bus ride my life, longest night. I
(36:08):
cried myself to sleep, honestly because I just felt that
low and I let everybody down and so I knew.
The next day is like here we go, and I
was writing my book through like a girl my dad
and I was like, Dad, I need stories. You know.
Of course my dad remembers everything. And he's like, what
about that loss to Asu? And I was like, really,
like that's what you're gonna you would you would bring
up Asu, like the worst loss in my career and
(36:31):
the one that sum the most, you know, And he
was like, did you know that was the beginning of
your consecutive winning streak? And I had no clue, and
I'm like, why did I not know that? But like
that game, like I went sixty games in a row,
we went because there's definitely no im team and I
didn't do it by myself, but but she had. So
it was like and it's just what a cool testimony
and story because like my lowest of lows like built
(36:54):
and became one of my greatest of grades and it's
still a record today, sixty games in a row without
a loss. So it was just like, man, like you
think those lows, you never know what tomorrow is gonna
bring or what the next pitch is going to get.
And I think like when you're in a slump, like
it takes one pitch, one swing to get out of
that slump and create a streak, you know, but you
got to keep swinging, You got to keep showing up
and yeah, just so thankful that And you can't stay
(37:16):
in those dark places like you can have your time
and definitely do it, but you got to you gotta
win the battle in your mind first and then put
the work in. I think that's what preparation builds confidence
for me, and I think anybody, right, it's the reps.
It's when you know that you've done everything that you
possibly could. You can look at yourself in the mirror,
no matter what the outcome is, no matter what the
result is, and have peace because you gave it your all,
(37:37):
you know. And that's I think all we want is
just to be whatever we can be and to be
the best that we can be.
Speaker 3 (37:43):
Why we chose softball.
Speaker 4 (37:44):
I feel like for all of you that like, yes,
softball is the sport I want to play. It's harder,
but we are strong, okay, Like we're not doing track
and field run a circle turn left.
Speaker 3 (37:53):
I'm just kidding. Sorry, no offense.
Speaker 4 (37:55):
But like our sport is hard, Like we're dealing with failure,
the whole three hundred batting average, your feeling step it
out of ton times. It's real, you feel that, and
yet we say, yes, bring it, let's do this. And
that's why I love I love softballhood is such a
sisterhood because we all share.
Speaker 2 (38:09):
That, we know what it feels like.
Speaker 1 (38:11):
But if you utilize and allow that failure to be steps,
it'll only allow you to get hired and high and
higher to reach the best success and the most successes
it maybe become Olympians, but.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
Also professional softball players.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
And we're celebrating because the talents and the bandits are
playing today. It's opening day. Who do you guys have
winning games or this.
Speaker 3 (38:30):
Year's talents for sure?
Speaker 5 (38:32):
Okay, yeah, well hello, yeah, I'm going with the bandits.
Where's my bandit crew at a Bandit Nation?
Speaker 2 (38:38):
Let's go, let's hear you.
Speaker 5 (38:40):
Bandit's coming up big and there a challenge Jersey over here.
Speaker 3 (38:43):
Yeah, yes, okay, there we go. You represent girl, We
got you.
Speaker 1 (38:47):
Well, it's the talents, the Bandits, the Bolts or the Blaze.
Make sure you are watching AUSL all summer to celebrate.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
To continue to expand and.
Speaker 1 (38:56):
Grow the game of softball, and remember our affirmation as
we move forward, it is to be the best you
so you can make the impact.
Speaker 2 (39:03):
That you're supposed to make in the world.
Speaker 1 (39:04):
Yell, continue to knock down those mountains and we'll see
you next time on the diamond but Dropping Diamonds.
Speaker 2 (39:10):
Thank you, Jess, Thank you, Jenny, Thank you Jay.
Speaker 1 (39:22):
Dropping Diamonds with AJ Andrews is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League and Deep
Blue Sports and Entertainment.
Speaker 2 (39:31):
I'm your host, AJ Andrews.
Speaker 1 (39:33):
Our executive producer is Jesse Katz. Tari Harrison is our
supervising producer, and this episode was mixed and mastered by
Mary Do listen to Dropping Diamonds with A J Andrews
on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get
your podcasts.
Dropping Diamonds with Aj Andrews is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League and Deep
Blue Sports and Entertainment. What's up, everybody? Hello, it's opening day.
You have to feel more loud than that. It's opening
(00:23):
day house, everybody? All right, Well, welcome. I'm so excited
to be here today with two legends. You are now
listening to Dropping Diamonds with Me AJ Andrews when we
dive headfirst into the world of softball, and today we're
diving head first with two amazing softball players that need
no introduction, but I will give them one anyway, Two
(00:45):
legends of the game to Olympic gold medalists. You'll see
them both commenting on softball and baseball, but they're also
entrepreneurs and just inspirations and leaders in the game of softball.
Just Comndoza and Jenny Finch.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Oh to check? Want to? That's not for us? I
think we're good. Wow. Do you guys think you guys
can sing? No? Yeah, well, when.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
We start off the Dropping Diamonds podcast where we drop
diamonds like dropping gems, I'm curious as to you. We
have to leave it off strong with a quote that
you feel like has really got you through your career
or something that really empowers you or makes you feel inspired.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Mohamma Gandhi.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
That's a big one for me because I.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Think a lot of times we get caught up and
like complaining or like I wish the world was this
way or things were this way, and it's like, no,
be the change, Like you go out be active, like
do the things that you want to see different or
you know ausl. I think it is a perfect example
of that, like being proactive and trying to make change.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
And not just talking about, Oh I wish we had
this or that.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Be a change you wish to see in the world.
Speaker 5 (01:51):
I think my dad always instilled me growing up, be
the best that you can be, and with a big
emphasis on that you can be, and that means not
looking to your left, looking to your right, not comparing,
because I think, especially in this day and age of
social media, we can get so lost in comparison and
our gifts can get drowned out by everyone else and
what everyone else is doing. But they have this, they're
(02:13):
doing that, but you know and it's like no, no, no,
just put your head down, keep working and be the
best you like. You have gifts and you have strengths,
and this world needs you, not a second best you.
You trying to be somebody else. So be who you
were created to be.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Be who you were created to be.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
I feel like we would put an affirmation together from
those two quotes. It would be be who you were
created to be so that you can make the impact
in the world.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Beautiful nice, wake up every morning, Be.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Who you're created to be so you can make your
specific impact. And it leads me to believe. I remember
this one book I read and I've talked about how
every mountain you encounter, it's your mount and.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Just show it can be moved.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
So if you're not living authentically within your truth, you're
not able to knock down that mount to show other
people that it can't be moved. So if I want
to think both of you though, Because as far as inspirations,
what many don't know is that the reason why I
even dods broadcasting, it's because Jessica Mendoza came up to
me one day at the SEC tournament and I won't
tell the date, but it was at LSU when we
(03:08):
were playing and she came in she said, if you
ever thought about doing broadcasting? I was like, I mean, yeah,
actually I had a little show at LSU, but I
never thought about pursuing it fully. And then after that
I went back to school and got my master's degree
and here I am today. And that all started because
of the nugget that Jessica Mendoza put in.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
My mind of it. Doesn't you should be.
Speaker 5 (03:29):
Broadcasting, dropping, dipping, dripping.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Well she was also crushing it, I mean as an athlete.
But then you just recognize and I did, like you
were like twenty twenty.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
One years old, you were so young?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Wow back and by the way, it's my birthday, so
it's it's an anniversary of that twenty second birthday. Won't
say what anniversary, but we're anniversary of twenty second being
twenty two when we are less than two hours away
from the start of the very first game of Aussel
where the talents will be playing the bandits what you
guys me, think of one word that describes today and
(04:03):
all that it took to.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Get to today. What emotion would you express with one word?
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Heck, yes, yeah, I mean funny together yeah, sorry, all
one one syllable heck yes, no, the finally the heck yes.
Like I mean, there's so much momentum that we've had
for so long, and so many people ask like, you know,
did you see this coming when you were playing, and
it was like, yes, we've seen this for so long
and now it's here.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
I think, so, finally, what would be that? And I
think just courage because I think about the people that
invested when it wasn't cool, and the people that reached
out and allowed so many before us to play the game,
and you know, like without each of those chapters, we
would not be here. So I just think about the mothers,
(04:50):
the grandmothers, the great grandmothers. So many did not have
this and now we are here, and these young girls
this is their normal, and I think that's what excites me.
And this is way more than one word, but like,
this is normal coming to a pro softball game, and
I'm here for it. I love it. I have a
twelve year old daughter and she just thinks that women's
(05:11):
sports is always on TV, like she has no idea,
and I don't want her to think anything else but that,
because what that generation is going to be when they
get here, it's going to be unreal. I can't even
imagine you.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Both being AUSL advisors and a big part of bringing
this together today. What were some key moments that led
to this moment to this finally Kimming?
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Yeah, Bringing Kim Ang on board has been absolutely a
game changer, and it definitely I think helped us because
we're still like athletes at heart, and so she's like
been our coach, you know, like ralling us together team meetings,
like who are hiring as gms and coaches, and Kim
Ing is our leader and the fact that she has
so much history with Major League Baseball has made that connection.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
She's been a huge part of this.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
And I just think how light years ahead because we
have her because she's been there, she's done it, She
saw what works, what doesn't work, how to manage, how
to make the success, what makes a successful teammate our team,
and as well as the business side, being a general
manager from the baseball side, and she knows what true
professionalism is and she carries that every single day and
(06:19):
she expects that and that's what we're bringing here with AUSL.
And now's the time it can be more thrilled and
I think about Carol Stiff, who was just legendary as
far as putting softball on TV. And I think our
freshman year of college, one game was aired and it
was tape delayed of the World Series. And then our
(06:42):
senior year, every single game was on ESPN Live and
we thought we were just that was incredible to think
that here we are. And then it was Carol Stiff's
idea to have bring in super regionals. Why because people
were tuning in and the numbers and the ratings were there,
and so how do we extend this? How do we
tell the story and make this last even longer? And
so I just think of the decades of her hard
(07:04):
work and her walking into her boss's room, her office
over and over and over and not accepting no and
bringing the numbers into show like we don't. It's not
like I said earlier, it's not a charity case, like
we deserve this. We belong here, and you guys, thanks
to the fans, you guys have got us here. And
I think now it's even more important for our fan
(07:24):
base and mainstream audiences to tell your friends, tell everybody,
share on social media like now we are here, but
now the fans have to show up and show out
in an enormous way so we can continue and carry
this on.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Yeah, fans being the vehicle that really drives the league
and drives the inspiration. You talk about Kimming being someone
that has really been such a powerful force. What have
you both learned the most from Kimming in this process
as commissioner to now bringing this new league to fruition.
Speaker 5 (07:51):
I think I appreciate most her just relatability. She's she's humble,
she's powerful, she's strong, she's confident, and I just love
having that those qualities come out as she's leading this
entire shit and her expertise obviously, you know, and being
an ex athlete, like Jess said, and she speaks our language.
(08:12):
She's one of us, and it always comes back to
me like for the athlete, by the athlete, and that's
truly what athletes in the limit it is.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
She's so smart.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
You know, you put her in a room with anyone,
and you know, I idolized her to be honest within
Major League Baseball when I started doing Major League Baseball
and to knowing the other women, let alone someone that
was at her caliber, you know, running being a general manager,
doing all these first and then she comes back to
us softball.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
There's Kim right there, yes, speaking.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Yeah, speaking of the legend, and I'm like, yeah, exactly, no,
I to be able to work with her, but honestly
knowing like her roots are here. She's playing second base
in Chicago, by the way, like this is this is
her home roots too. So I think just understanding that
it all kind of comes full circle for all of us.
They're branching and other sports, but ultimately softballs where we belong.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
How did Kim get the advisory board together? How did
you guys all even come to be what you are today?
Speaker 4 (09:08):
I mean, you get a text from Kim and it's like, yes, absolutely,
But to be honest, we've been waiting. You know, we've
been apart, we've been playing in different pro leagues. We've
been trying to like help support do whatever we can,
and this one felt different, and so it was a
very easy.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Yes, there was no hesitation.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
A lot of it was the fact that Kim was
the one reaching out, but ultimately was the fact that
this is something different and special and for me.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
The same of course. Was super supportive of athletes unlimited
and everything that they were doing. But I was skeptical.
We've been through the ringer, we've seen it all, Like,
why is this any difference, And you know, talking to
the athletes, it was truly a professional experience and they
were enjoying it and everything that I heard was good,
but I was still they're missing the team dynamic. And
for me, before Athletes Unlimited, sixty athletes come in, they play,
(09:55):
they have a leader board system, and then we have
four winners, they become captain. So it was just this
constant which it was really really cool and unique, but
at the same time, like the most beautiful thing to
me about this sport is that it's a team sport
and the sisterhood and the camaradity within it. I'm part
of a battery. Like I need to catcher, and I
don't want a different catcher every week, Like that's that's
for the birds. For me, like I want the same catcher.
We're gonna go to war and we're gonna compete. We're
(10:16):
gonna prepare, and we're gonna be ready for that. And
so when the change of Athletes Unlimited was Okay, we're
gonna create a league. There's gonna be four teams. They've
listened to the players. The players had expressed that this
is their dream, their want. They reach out to Kim
Kim Jupon and then as soon as Kim called, She's like,
what do you think about AU? And I was like, honestly,
I've just been kind of holding out supporting from AFAR,
like of course all in, but I still don't know.
(10:38):
And She's like, I'm thinking about it, and I'm like, Okay,
if you're in, I'm in. Yeah. So basically, Kim a
two words that that was the game changer for us.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
You both played in the MPF.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
If you've seen the rise and the fall of that league,
when you come in, when you're the advisory board and
you're having those discussions that first meeting, what did you
take from playing in the NPF to ASL to say
this is what we're gonna do different, how we're gonna
make it better equality.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
I just felt like one of the biggest faults of
the NPF was like some players were getting paid a lot,
others were not getting paid as much.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
You know, you had certain teams that just didn't have.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
The same support system, and then you know, the team
that I played for had like all the support in
the world, and it just wasn't fair. So we're going
and beating up on teams and then you saw players
getting paid two thousand dollars for the year and you're like,
this isn't legal, Like that's even happening, And so you
want to see that equality, like and understanding. Yes, if
you're performing, you get bonuses, of course, just like any job.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
But from the get go it should be hey, we
recognize your professional athlete, and we are going to treat.
Speaker 5 (11:35):
You like them. Yeah, And I honestly, like, I'm so
thankful for the NPF and the foundation that it laid,
because without the NPF, we wouldn't be here today. And honestly,
we were just so thrilled to have the opportunity to
play professionally. Like it didn't even have to be professionally.
We just had the opportunity to play post college. And
so I you know, and it's so hard because you
don't want to downgrade anything that was done, but without
those chapters and those people investing when nobody was investing,
(12:00):
we wouldn't be here today. And I think the main
thing is, you know, women peek in their twenties and
so for us my you know, we wanted these athletes
to come in and be challenged and be coached and
have next level access to anything and everything for them
to elevate their game. And I think that's what excites
me the most is these general managers, these head coaches
(12:22):
like they have the credibility. And I've already heard it
from the players like they're on cloud nine because they're
still being coached at the professional level. And I don't
think we've had that level of coaching and access to
technology and anything that you need to be a success
they have at childcare, health insurance. I mean, this is truly,
this is it, and I can be more excited for
(12:44):
the athletes to finally get this true professional experience and
be treated like and I think the only thing we
wanted to really worry about is being on the field,
like we're an athlete. That's but we were so worried,
had to be worried about everything else, paying our bills,
doing everything else. But yes, and now these athletes like
this is it. This is what they do. They show
up and play.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
The MPF led the pavement so that AUSL can drive fast.
Because right now, women's sports it is a movement, not
a moment. When you think about that, you try to
propel AUSL and softball, propel them forward.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
With the movement. What do you think needs to happen
continue to happen.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
People need to know, Like we still get the questions,
you know, Oh man, I love watching the women's college
World Series.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
It's so awesome, Nija can't all these stars like I
just wish it was professional softball.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
And like every year, I'm like, there is. It's so awesome.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
And you know, now we've seen I mean, we have
never seen the amount of marketing dollars, amount of attention,
golden tickets. I mean, just the creativity that AUSL has brought.
The word is definitely out there. But I want to
continue that reach. MLB is going to be a huge
part of that, them bringing in their marketing dollars to
their own audience. But I don't want to answer another
question of why isn't their women's professional softball.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
We are here and we are here to stay.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
And I think that was the most fascinating thing is yes, yes,
And speaking of dropping diamonds, it's not a moment. It's
a movement like Mic drop on that. It's a movement
and you know played in Arizona, thirty five hundred fans
showed up every weekend, Like we know that there's a
market for it, but we just didn't have the marketing
to really pull it off. And now I think all
hands are on deck. We're all moving in the right direction,
(14:19):
and all gms, all head coaches like please believe when
they step on the field, they're going to be competitive
and ultra competitive that is. But ultimately, like we are
all on the same team and we are all pushing
the needle forward. And so I think that's what we've
never had in a league, is having everybody all aboard
and under kimmaning to make this thing work and to
do whatever it takes to make it work. But like
(14:40):
I said too, it's going to take the fans and
we've got to put our money where our mouth is.
And you guys have been awesome. And that's why I
think every single person signed autographed with me, because it's like,
thank you for being here, because you showing up it matters.
You going online sharing it matters, because that's how this
is going to be a success, is getting the word out,
telling your friends, to telling anybody and everybody about the
(15:02):
world's best softball and what's happening, and so we can
continue the momentum and build that bridge from the college
game and the excitement of the Women's College World Series
throughout the entire summer.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
It matters, and we matter as women and as softball players.
And Jess, I've read that you said at some point
we need to flip the switch and understand how great
we were and great we are when you talk about
how great softball players are, how great women in sports are.
What was your most eye opening realization of saying, No,
I deserve more, and this is I'm going to pursue it,
(15:34):
especially with AUSL, make sure that these girls get more.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
You know, I think just seeing every time a little
girl sees like these women on a stage or anytime
softball's on television, you get the text messages like the
sport is so awesome, and there's these eye opening moments
all the time where I'm like, we are here, And
I think that's where I've been frustrated for so long,
because our sport has been here, we just didn't know
(15:57):
how to reach all of you.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
And now we've have finally.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
That platform, and I think that's where the eye opening
has been there like, honestly, as long as we've been playing,
it's been the best sport, Like it's been must watch TV.
But now you guys know it and we're getting that
word out there even more.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
We'll be dropping more diamonds after these messages.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
MLB now investing in AUSL.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
You both have been involved, Jessica you commenting on baseball
and then Jennie you being a softball ambassador for Major
League Baseball. What are the conversations been like within the
baseball community. Are they just as excited as we are
to now have more investment of MLB and so we
can just see the talent of softball showcase, not just
within the softball community, but also in the baseball community.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
I work with the Dodgers and listening to them be like, wait,
we're getting involved in softball because I've been hearing from
Major League Baseball players like you're talking to like Mookie Bets.
It has been like when he is so excited, he
has his whole entire company. He's like, I want I
want all those players to be wearing my batting gloves
and my like he is like giddy, He's like, let's go.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
I want to partner with all of these women.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
He's like, well, there be a women's Dodger team, Like
he wants all of them, like if you're lucky, you know.
But that's where I hear it from the players is
they've always been supportive. They've been watching softball on television,
but there's never been the connection like we see with
like the WNBA and the NBA.
Speaker 5 (17:26):
I think their mentality is it's about time, Like where
has it been? You know, We've been waiting and ready
for it forever and so now finally it's here, and yeah,
we need all hands on deck and we can't wait.
And that's what I love the most. And so many
people have so many connections to softball, like it runs
so deep, and so many people grew up playing softball,
(17:46):
which back in the day it wasn't so much, but
now it's so exciting to see how many people have
been touched by our sport.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
What were your first thoughts when you heard MLB was
investing in AOSL.
Speaker 5 (17:56):
I'm like, oh my gosh, all those many hours and
those lunches and those meetings that I just walked in
and tried to mention it and drop seeds like thousands
of seeds and it's finally here, like the seeds are
growing and and I love it because it's earned and
like you were saying, like the value is there and
people are tuning in, like investors want to step on
(18:18):
board because it's worth it, and we're finally to that point.
And I think, you know, and we've never really had
the consistency. And I think that's gonna be a game
changer for us is every single night you guys can
tune in and see Pro Fast Pitch on TV, whether
it be MLB dot Com, MLB Network, ESPN platforms, and
so you can watch matchups, you can tune in and
(18:39):
see and follow your favorite player. Well, it used to
be like one random game on a Tuesday at one o'clock, Like,
who's gonna be able to follow that one? I mean,
of course we did, you know, because we were watching.
But ultimately, and I think that's when the cultural series,
it's the consistency and the back to back of a
month and a half of your you're falling in love
with these athletes and caring about their stories inspired and
(19:01):
so that's what excites me most is about the next
six weeks and the storylines that are gonna prevail and
just talk about something too. And I remember we would
be in the Pro League and it was like, who's
this girl and she's like, yeah, you know, all MPF team,
But she played for a smaller school and now she's
peaking in her mid twenties. Stacey May comes to mine
a bandit and she's just like boom. And then all
(19:21):
of a sudden she gets invited to try for the
Olympic team. And here she came from Iowa, you know,
but just didn't have the platform like we're talking about.
So I'm super excited for those superstars that didn't have
the big college experience but come in here and bust
it and now are just all stars. And so that's
so many, so many things are gonna prevail in the
next six weeks and from from here. So it's it's
(19:42):
gonna be great to follow.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
Do you think that media attention is going to impact
them as far as dollars money, dollars sponsorship? How do
you see her sponsors getting involved within AUSL just because
of a higher platform alone.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
It's the co branding, I mean, the fact that you're
gonna see Major League Baseball right next with AUSL.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
I mean the that they are.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Now together, and it's the marketing dollars. To me, it's
you know a lot of people think, oh well, I
don't you know team owners own a team. I love
the aosl owns themselves. But the marketing is where we've
needed help. So that money is going to be huge.
I mean the audience that Major League Baseball has, there's
so many fans I keep referencing to Dodgers, but there's
so many softball fans within our Dodger organization. Tasha and
(20:21):
I went and we did a whole softball game with
all of the Dodger like people that wanted to be
a part of it, and they were asking, why don't
we have more softball invall Now that marketing attention cost
to those.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Fans that never knew it was there.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
We talk about marketing. I feel like neither of you
really needed that much marketing. Your talent let it. We
talk about how it's pitching or outfield or hitting. I'm
gonna go into what's called the no fly zone part
when we talk about your favorite aspect of your game.
No fly zone, what is your favorite play that you've
made in your career where you could say favorite outing, Jenny.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
If you can't think of a play.
Speaker 5 (20:58):
I think women's college well, it's series national championship game,
and I dove out for a ball, like I love
so you did turn into a though, and like seeing Nija.
I don't know if you guys saw it, but like,
nothing fires me up more because I can't tell you
how many coaches tell pitchers to stay in your circle,
don't field the ball, and it's like absolutely, like we
have three seconds to get that runner going to first base.
You have to play the game, and you have to
(21:19):
be a good fielding I'm getting fired up, right. You
have to be a good fielding pitcher like you play pitcher,
and you play everywhere else, wherever else you need because
you were an athlete, be an athlete, and so I
love I love seeing pictures just go all out and
show more than just pitching the ball.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
It's so funny because as position players, whenever you guys
do make a play like oh she's athletic.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
Too, Yes, okay, this is going I did find myself
being in a two way player, and that's excites me
more seeing more and more two way players, like pitchers
are being so good that they can't be forced into
the box of just pitching. Only don't tell you that
you can only be a pitcher. Keep hitting, keep swinging
the back, keep playing a position, and it's.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
Coming back around. I mean, as your Kennedy, we saw her.
She was just a one literally a pitcher, and now
she's a hitter.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
All the things.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Jordi ball, Ye, yeah, Robin a home run. Well, I
love Robin home runs. But there was once Lori Harrigan
was pitching. We're playing in the US Cup, and like
some there was a photographer there, which we didn't have
a lot of attention, but they actually got the whole
sequence of me jumping over the fence to rob yeah,
piece by piece, so it's like jump jump jump jump jump,
like literally ended up like would look like six feet
(22:26):
over the wall. And my dad of course framed it
and has it like a whole sequence thing. But it
was so cool because for my pitcher and Laurie Harrogan
had been struggling. I remember she had given up a
couple hits, which I mean, I get it's tam Usa.
We were probably still winning by a lot, but I
remember doing that and just having this moment and I
was like knew on the team, she was our veteran pitcher,
and I was like, I wanted to do this so
bad for her, And I remember coming down and having
(22:49):
a moment with her like okay, maybe she likes me now,
like maybe I'll make the team.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
Like this is cool.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
But anytime you're robin home runs for your team, that
is availing.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
Yes, And I would say there's no feeling when like
you just you know you could have had it if
you jump like a second later where it tips off
your glove.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
Yea, Robbie, the home run is the best one. Where
were you sinner? Left? That's fine? Left?
Speaker 3 (23:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Did you know you had it the whole time? Oh?
Speaker 4 (23:11):
Yes, okay, yeah, I was gonna fly. Like literally, I
felt like I flew. Like it was like one of
those things where it was like I'm catching this ball.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Did you have to climb the fence or just run
on run?
Speaker 3 (23:21):
I used it like stepped and then I like run
up another.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Oh that's fun, and.
Speaker 5 (23:25):
It's however, got it?
Speaker 4 (23:26):
So it's like the whole moment, so it's not just
my head, Like when I'm telling my kids, I'm like, yeah,
I flew and I caught a ball.
Speaker 3 (23:32):
Right, Look, let's go to Grandpa's house. He's got it.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
You guys play with one another. Do you have a
favorite play? She just do you have a favorite play
of Jenny?
Speaker 4 (23:40):
Well, I dress I just have a Finchy story just
because like I knew her, she didn't probably know me yet,
but she like her dad had this thing called the
finch Windmill. So we're like twelve years old and we're
playing these like you know, travel ball tournaments and like
you know, like softball talk about marketing like there's nothing.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
And I remember we had our little like media guide for.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
The tournament, like the twelve year or the fourteen year tournament,
and there's Jenny with the finch wind meal and I
didn't know it was her dad. So I'm like, shoot,
she's already got a deal, Like look at this girl.
And like you know, we were playing against her, and
we were like all nervous. We're like, there's the girl
from the finch wind meal thing, and she was like
in the media guide like it was her photo. And
I remember thinking like, man, she's she's famous and.
Speaker 5 (24:17):
Dad bought it. Yeah, and I didn't get paid, but.
Speaker 3 (24:21):
I didn't know it was her dad.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
I just thought like this like finch girl, but I
didn't know if it was even your last name. And
it's just so ironic because she ended up being everything
for our sport, the face of our sport. But at
twelve years old, I already like saw it. I was like,
oh my gosh, she's such a big deal, Like she's
pitching against us. It's the Finch girl, and I didn't
even know, like that was your last name. And then
she ended up being the biggest name we've ever had
(24:43):
in our sport. Handled it very well.
Speaker 5 (24:45):
I don't know about that, but just so thank but
as a pitcher, like nothing's better than your outfielders just
having your back, and I think too, even just watching
I don't know. For some reason, this year's World Series
just stood out to me so much and it's like
I would have not been anything that I ever was
with al my amazing teammates, and I just appreciate, yes,
and outfielders snagging those.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Home field guys, the young kids. It's way outfield's.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
Absolutely just watched Sports Center. That's all the highlights.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
I say that all the time.
Speaker 5 (25:14):
They say like infielders, it gets by the infielders hurt too,
it gets by the oudies. It kills you right, and
it's so true, like they're the last drop. Last line
of defense is your oudies, so Oudi's like there's even
double pressure because you don't even have backup.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
The infielders have.
Speaker 5 (25:26):
Backup, but as an outfielder, you don't have backup. I
think what the picture comes to mind when in Athens,
like our first Olympics, and she just like plumbled through
Stacy Farnsworth who was playing for Greece, and like the
picture was on the front page I think every newspaper.
But it was just so cool. It was just like relentless.
And of course there was no obstruction rules back then,
(25:46):
thank God, or maybe not, I don't know, Well, thank God,
just take down.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
She was obstructing home play but there was no rules,
so I took her out, but she was in the way.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
I love how you casually said it, so I took
her out.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
But when you think of the best outfield play, becoming
the best outfitter you can be, what would you say
is the best tip that you could give any outfielder
on snagging those home run balls, making the great diving plays,
and becoming a pitcher's favorite.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
That it's all about the reads.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
I think outfielders feel like they need to be the
speedy players. They have to be so fast, and to me,
like the beauty and being a great outfielder is like
taking your reps, like when everyone's taking batting practice, like
watching the reads your first step, Like you don't have
to be super fast, you don't even have to be
insanely athletic, but you need to be able to read
the ball off the bat. And it's such a beautiful
thing when you understand you see it even before and ag,
(26:38):
I know you get this, Like you'll see a foul ball.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
And you're like, oh, I gotta go at that. Yeah,
you're like you see it.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
You just you feel where the ball is going to
go before she even hits it. And that's that's synergy.
That to me is like what makes outfield so beauty beautiful,
But it takes practice, like so not just taking like
someone funnging you balls, but actually being like getting your
reps in when you're taking batting practice and just being
out there like you're in a game and reading the
ball off the bat because all you see is the
(27:03):
end play, but ultimately it's the first few steps that matter.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
Can you think of one play that is any plays
that ever haunt you. I was like, oh, I could have.
I know I could have got that one. I have one.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
I know it's at least sleeps tell us. It was
the World Series in twenty fifteen, were playing Michigan and
it was in the semi finals and there was a
ball hit. I don't know what the score was at
this point, maybe it was tied, but they ended up winning.
I think like two to one or three to one.
It was something very close. But I went in dove
for a ball. I don't know that I could have
(27:36):
caught it, but in my mind I always think I.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Can, yeah, And I just missed it. And then a
run scored and I felt like I could have.
Speaker 4 (27:44):
You always have to yeah, never regret that I don't
have an outfield one. This is so sad, But as
a hitter, I remember playing Arizona. The year that she
just talked about was her favorite year. When they won
the national championship. They had to beat US Stanford. It
was actually Becky Lempke throwing and I was up to
bat the runner at second base and you guys were
only winning one nothing, which was a miracle, and Beculum
(28:06):
Key threw me a changeup, which I love change ups
and I missed it and I struck out until this day,
I'm like, we could have tied Arizona and broke their
streak and then they never would have won if I
had just gotten that hit.
Speaker 5 (28:16):
I'm sure glad you didn't, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Jenny anything or you just struck everyone out and.
Speaker 5 (28:22):
No, no, there's a lot, there's a lot. Actually the
MPF Championships, it was I'm Michael's I think we were
up against Ohio and who was total blank Ohio team
Acron oh Akron Akron, Oh my god, sir racers. Yes, yes,
and she hit a home run faux count rise ball
(28:44):
that did not rise and I'm still wacked it up
or didn't rise enough.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
I'll tell you that you have mentioned I think it
was on MLB you talked about the less grip, the
more advantage you have.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Can you explain that a little bit more?
Speaker 5 (28:56):
Well, So when my first international experience will like real,
I guess was World Championships. We were in Canada and
we were playing Australia and they were picking my grips
and so that's when I had to go to two grips.
So I had about three or four different grips depending
on my pitches, and so I ended up just condensing
and going to two grips. So I would throw four
(29:18):
seam grip for my dropall drop ball, screwball, change up,
and then a rise ball and curve. I just made
it the same grip just to try to limit because
as you saw Mike White from Texas, he not only
he left the third base coaches box and went to
the first base coaches boxes, the men's facetag pitches.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
I swear they could pick any anything.
Speaker 5 (29:38):
And you know that they've watched Thank god, I'll think
about all of the scouting reports and video like they
were picking him way back then, but now they can
watch it in their office over and over and over
every single pitch and it's all cut for them. But yeah,
just going from three or four different grips down to
two just to keep it more simple, to try to
keep Australia.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
From picking it was that a huge adjustment.
Speaker 5 (29:59):
Actually it was a lot easier than I thought. And
again with just like I feel like anything with a
lot of reps, but I had to like there was
no choice, right, Like, you can't you don't want the
hitter to have any advantage. So this is.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
Like your forcing grip, and then what was the other one?
Speaker 5 (30:14):
It was like my middle finger along the sea, and
I would my finger is actually literally crooked, but it's
already tucking. Oh my gosh, So riseball, curveball, and then
change up and I throw drop ball, screwball, and then
I can tuck it for the change up.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
What was your favorite pitch to throw?
Speaker 5 (30:30):
Strike three?
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Period?
Speaker 5 (30:33):
Thanks for setting me up on that.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
There's more to cover, but first let's take a quick break.
We talked about it a little bit, the things that
we feel like we could have done better.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
But we all know failure is a part of success.
It's not the opposite.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
Is there any failure that you would say is your
favorite failure that you feel like you've learned the most
from actually allowed you to prepel forward to have the
most success.
Speaker 4 (31:03):
I remember, it's really sad by the way when you
say failure and how quickly Yeah, I'm like, I have
so many things I can think of. But that's such
a good point because I remember being in the Dominican
Republic playing in the Pan m Games.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
It's so sad out.
Speaker 4 (31:15):
Detailed this like you the time of day is a yes, no,
And it's funny because Finch talks about hers, I'm like,
I don't remember this at all. I only remember her
just dominating. But two thousand and three Dominican Republic, and
you know, we're playing in the pan Ams and they
were about to pick the two thousand and four Olympic team.
This is our first what would be our first Olympic team?
(31:38):
And I was in my head, I was so insecure
about like, oh my gosh, I'm on the field with
Lisa Fernandez, like how would I ever make this team?
Speaker 3 (31:44):
Like Crystal Bustos, are you kidding me?
Speaker 4 (31:46):
Like?
Speaker 3 (31:46):
And I started to really.
Speaker 4 (31:47):
Believe how not good I was and AJ like no joke.
I became the player that I feared, And I think
we had we let that insecurity fuel us to some
points of like working hard and getting after it, but
at some point we need to flip the switch and
know how great we are. That was such a huge
learning lesson because I hit like a buck ninety, could
(32:08):
not find my swing and even when I looked in
the mirror, I remember being like in the Dominican like
in the bathroom, going where are you Jess? And I
had created such a huge insecurity that I didn't know
how to find myself again, and I promised myself, like
I'm never gonna let this if I somehow make that
Olympic team, because God knows, like my Candra is like
what happened to my three older like she can't hit.
(32:29):
If I do make that Olympic team, I will never
let myself disbelieve in myself this much. I need to
believe how great I am. And it took time, but
that failure, I mean for like two weeks of failure
is what taught me that I needed to be better.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
How did you flip that switch?
Speaker 1 (32:44):
Because it sounds easy, but I feel like it's hard
to pull poll until you finally get there and it
pull these switches?
Speaker 2 (32:49):
Was there something that helped you flip it easier?
Speaker 4 (32:52):
So ironically there is no switch like I wish there
had been, Like that would have been awesome if I could
to just flip that switch and here we go, like
I'm good again.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
It took me.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
Not working, still striking out.
Speaker 4 (33:07):
No, it made me realize that every single day, just
like we practice our swing and like we practice our
softball and all the things, I had to practice believing
in myself. As crazy as that sounds, I remember thinking
I need to look myself in the mirror and believe
that the person looking back is the best player on
the field, and understand what that feels like, because AJ
what the switch feels like for me, and I use
(33:29):
it now in television when I start to lose confidence
and feel like should I even be here right now?
Is that feeling I get when I know I'm great, Like,
it's a feeling and it goes away so quickly. I
try to hold on to that feeling. Do it every
day so I can practice it like a muscle, and
then when I need it and it's the bottom of
the seventh inning and the bases are loaded, and I'm like, Jess,
(33:51):
can you do this? All of a sudden, there's that
switch and it's that I've grown it and I feel
it inside of me, and I'm like, look at the
picture now, and I'm like.
Speaker 3 (33:58):
Girl, you're going back. Yeah, it's on.
Speaker 2 (34:01):
I got the feeling today. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:03):
I talk about that as well. You have to work
it out like a muscle, and you will look in
the mirror. Okay, maybe my eyebrows.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
Didn't do what they're supposed to do today, but my
eyelashes look great.
Speaker 5 (34:10):
Right.
Speaker 1 (34:10):
You gotta find the positive every single time and then
rock with that positive. Do you have a failure, Jenny
that you feel like excelled you or propelled you to success?
Speaker 5 (34:19):
Yeah. So it was in college. We were headed down
to play Arizona State, and Arizona like you did not
lose to Arizona State. We had like a thirty eight
game winning streak against ASU and we were loaded up
the bus head down there. And this was my sophomore
year and my freshman like I thought, I went to Arizona,
We're gonna win four national championships, like this is cake,
(34:39):
They're the best in the country, Like coach ca Andre
is their coach. I'm a wild Cat, We're gonna win.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Well.
Speaker 5 (34:45):
I remember falling short that fresh freshman year, coming home
on the plane earlier than we expected, and being like,
oh my gosh, this is this is a lot harder
than I expected, and this is gonna take a lot
of work. And so I just remember, like my sophomore
year was like, man, when we get to Oklahoma City,
I want to have the ball in my hand, and
I want my coach to want me, and I want
(35:05):
my teammates to want me in that circle, and I
thought this was it. We're starting PACKED twelve then, which
was one of the tough or was the toughest conference
back when we played, and so every weekend was a
dog fight similar to the SEC now and we get off,
ready to go. I'm pumped, right, Fince, you got the ball,
Heck yeah, let's go. And we ended up losing. I
(35:27):
ended up losing the game, left another rise ball over
the plate, home run walk off, and I felt like
this is the lowest of lows, like we do not
lose the ASU, like eight games or eight years of
not losing to ASU, thirty eight game winning streak, and
here's me took the l you know, for the program.
I let the tradition down, I let the alumni down, like,
(35:47):
oh my gosh, I was going deep and I was
in a dark, dark hole for the longest bus ride
of my life. But before getting on that bus, I
remember hugging my dad and I would always compose myself
until you see them right and right before I got
on the bus, so I'm like, so I just lost
it in his chest. I was like, Dad, I never
want to have this feeling again. I never want to
lose again. Longest bus ride my life, longest night. I
(36:08):
cried myself to sleep, honestly because I just felt that
low and I let everybody down and so I knew.
The next day is like here we go, and I
was writing my book through like a girl my dad
and I was like, Dad, I need stories. You know.
Of course my dad remembers everything. And he's like, what
about that loss to Asu? And I was like, really,
like that's what you're gonna you would you would bring
up Asu, like the worst loss in my career and
(36:31):
the one that sum the most, you know, And he
was like, did you know that was the beginning of
your consecutive winning streak? And I had no clue, and
I'm like, why did I not know that? But like
that game, like I went sixty games in a row,
we went because there's definitely no im team and I
didn't do it by myself, but but she had. So
it was like and it's just what a cool testimony
and story because like my lowest of lows like built
(36:54):
and became one of my greatest of grades and it's
still a record today, sixty games in a row without
a loss. So it was just like, man, like you
think those lows, you never know what tomorrow is gonna
bring or what the next pitch is going to get.
And I think like when you're in a slump, like
it takes one pitch, one swing to get out of
that slump and create a streak, you know, but you
got to keep swinging, You got to keep showing up
and yeah, just so thankful that And you can't stay
(37:16):
in those dark places like you can have your time
and definitely do it, but you got to you gotta
win the battle in your mind first and then put
the work in. I think that's what preparation builds confidence
for me, and I think anybody, right, it's the reps.
It's when you know that you've done everything that you
possibly could. You can look at yourself in the mirror,
no matter what the outcome is, no matter what the
result is, and have peace because you gave it your all,
(37:37):
you know. And that's I think all we want is
just to be whatever we can be and to be
the best that we can be.
Speaker 3 (37:43):
Why we chose softball.
Speaker 4 (37:44):
I feel like for all of you that like, yes,
softball is the sport I want to play. It's harder,
but we are strong, okay, Like we're not doing track
and field run a circle turn left.
Speaker 3 (37:53):
I'm just kidding. Sorry, no offense.
Speaker 4 (37:55):
But like our sport is hard, Like we're dealing with failure,
the whole three hundred batting average, your feeling step it
out of ton times. It's real, you feel that, and
yet we say, yes, bring it, let's do this. And
that's why I love I love softballhood is such a
sisterhood because we all share.
Speaker 2 (38:09):
That, we know what it feels like.
Speaker 1 (38:11):
But if you utilize and allow that failure to be steps,
it'll only allow you to get hired and high and
higher to reach the best success and the most successes
it maybe become Olympians, but.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
Also professional softball players.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
And we're celebrating because the talents and the bandits are
playing today. It's opening day. Who do you guys have
winning games or this.
Speaker 3 (38:30):
Year's talents for sure?
Speaker 5 (38:32):
Okay, yeah, well hello, yeah, I'm going with the bandits.
Where's my bandit crew at a Bandit Nation?
Speaker 2 (38:38):
Let's go, let's hear you.
Speaker 5 (38:40):
Bandit's coming up big and there a challenge Jersey over here.
Speaker 3 (38:43):
Yeah, yes, okay, there we go. You represent girl, We
got you.
Speaker 1 (38:47):
Well, it's the talents, the Bandits, the Bolts or the Blaze.
Make sure you are watching AUSL all summer to celebrate.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
To continue to expand and.
Speaker 1 (38:56):
Grow the game of softball, and remember our affirmation as
we move forward, it is to be the best you
so you can make the impact.
Speaker 2 (39:03):
That you're supposed to make in the world.
Speaker 1 (39:04):
Yell, continue to knock down those mountains and we'll see
you next time on the diamond but Dropping Diamonds.
Speaker 2 (39:10):
Thank you, Jess, Thank you, Jenny, Thank you Jay.
Speaker 1 (39:22):
Dropping Diamonds with AJ Andrews is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League and Deep
Blue Sports and Entertainment.
Speaker 2 (39:31):
I'm your host, AJ Andrews.
Speaker 1 (39:33):
Our executive producer is Jesse Katz. Tari Harrison is our
supervising producer, and this episode was mixed and mastered by
Mary Do listen to Dropping Diamonds with A J Andrews
on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get
your podcasts.
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