ACOG - News - IBM

(25 July 1996; Day 6)

U.S. Softball's Michele SMITH: A Real Human Interest Story

The U. S. softball team is a writer's dream come true. Nearly every player has an interesting story, so where do you start? With the shortstop that is putting off her orthopedic residency until after the Olympic Games? With the pitcher so young she should be thinking about prom, or the pitcher that stayed in shape during the cold Alaskan winter by pitching in a church basement?

The story of Michele SMITH may be the most special. SMITH has earned nearly every award made for a softball players. She has been honored four times with the Bertha Tickey Award as the Most Valuable Pitcher of the American Softball Association (ASA) Women's Major National Championship. SMITH has received ASA All-America honors three times and was named ASA Sportswoman of the year in 1990 and 1994. She was named the Most Valuable Player in the Japan League in 1994. Smith has won five gold medals since joining the U.S. national team in 1992.

Her story would be incredible enough if you just looked at her softball heroics, but her off-the-field story is much more inspirational. In 1986, prior to her sophomore softball season at Oklahoma State University, SMITH was involved in a car crash that almost ended her career. The accident resulted in her triceps tearing away from her alecranon process on her throwing arm.

"I spent two months in a cast," said SMITH. "I had to rehab for more than four hours a day. I only had five-and-a-half weeks to get ready for the season. Funny thing is, I threw harder after the accident because of all the hard work."

Even though SMITH has pitched perfect games and received many awards, her recovery from the accident ranks among her greatest accomplishments.

"I am proud how I came back from that accident," said SMITH. "I realize now that the accident made me a better player and a person. It symbolizes a lot about my character."

SMITH made the realization that her playing softball could have an affect on the lives of others. That realization allowed her to put off medical school plans until she is finished with softball.

"People can relate to other people's triumphs over difficulty," said SMITH. "I realized that I can touch many people's lives playing softball. I want people to see I have a passion for what I do."

That passion is evident in her efforts as a member of the 1996 Olympic softball team. The team stands one victory away from clinching a berth in the medal round, and SMITH is part of a pitching staff that has allowed only one run in the first four days of competition. U.S. pitchers have struck out 36 batters in 27 innings of work, allowing just nine hits.

SMITH guided the USA to a 6-1 victory over Japan on 23 July. The lefty allowed one run on three hits while striking out 11. SMITH took matters into her own hands as the game progressed, recording nine of the last 12 outs by strikeout.

"I felt pretty good tonight," said SMITH after her winning effort. "I made one mistake and it came up on the scoreboard."

SMITH may have made one mistake against Japan when Haruka SAITO hit that pitch over the fence, but no one can mistake that SMITH is one of the greatest players in the world, on and off the field.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Thad Dohrn.


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Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium.