Jennie Finch enjoyed a last career win and fourth World Cup of Softball title in a row with the U.S. softball team after beating Japan 5-1 in the finale Monday night in Oklahoma City, Okla. The game closed out Finch's softball career on a high note as she announced her retirement last week.
Although her performance on Monday resulted in two outs the audience nevertheless gave her a standing ovation.
"My career has been way more than I possibly ever could have dreamt of or imagined," Finch said in an interview with the Associated Press. "I've been so incredibly blessed by this game, the people of this game. I can't say enough. I'm so grateful."
U.S. softball is facing hard time in light of Finch's departure and a shrinking budget that can be blamed on the International Olympic Committee's decision to drop softball from the 2012 and 2016 games. Not only will it be hard to play at as many games due to travel expenses, but the individual players won't be able to make a living by playing softball anymore. Ultimately, this might have motivated Finch to hang up her cleats at the highlight of her career and focus on her family instead.
"She's become the face of this sport, and not many people could do that," said Mike Candrea, her coach at Arizona and through two Olympics. "It's hard to do."
After ten years of increasing popularity worldwide for the sport in part thanks to Finch who was a great ambassador and role model, it's now back to square one for the U.S. softball team.
Related articles:
- U.S. softball struggles after being eliminated from Olympics
- Jennie Finch quits softball to focus on family
- U.S. softball team remains world champion for 7th year after beating Japan in final (photos)
- Undefeated U.S. Softball team beats Japan, moves on to finals in world championships (photos)
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