Lisa Fernandez left off Beijing roster

[DonnieS]

Lisa will always be the greatest. She is a hero and role model for my kid. The example she set for my kid and thousands of others is more important to all us Dads and Moms than all the gold at the Olympics, though I am sure the Olympic atheletes feel differently. Having been in the same meeting with her and feel the energy and power she exudes - wow.

[ssarge]

Hasn't Lisa ALSO been team USA's cleanup hitter? Sometimes batting 450+? Very clutch? Made things happen offensively as well as defensively... a team leader.

As of the day she was named an alternate, Fernandez was hitting .286 after 18 games on the "Bound for Bejing" tour, with one extra base hit ( a HR). This can be compared to the team average of .398.

As to whether other players on the team saw her as a leader - I would say that is conjecture for any of us who aren't in the inner circle. However, most of the players on the team were paying their dues the past 4 years, going to training camps, surviving one or two cuts per annum, playing in tournaments to represent the USA, and playing in NPF. Fernansez being a notable exception to most of that.

Starting a family is certainly a legitimate and wonderful thing. No one would begrudge that, and kudos to Fernandez for doing it on her own timetable. But being MIA for several years - whatever the reason - then returning for the Olympic Stage - is not an easy basis point for leadership.

Not that my opinion counts for anything, but I have been critical of Candrea for naming Fernandez to the 18 player team, based on performance in the training camp. And frankly, I thought it was unlikely that he would select her, then name her as an alternate, so I thought her being selected coming out of Chula Vista meant she was a slam dunk for the 15-player roster. I was wrong, and I think HE is showing real leadership NOW. HAD to be a tough call - and a tough conversation.

Regards,

Scott

[yellow ball]

2008 USA Softball Women’s National Team Roster Named for Beijing Olympic Games
03/28/08 - Special Release

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) announced today its 15-person roster and three replacement players that will compete this August in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. These 15 athletes will look to defend three consecutive Olympic Gold Medals when they begin competition in China on August 12.

The 2008 USA Softball Women’s National Team roster includes ten 2004 Olympic Gold Medalists, 13 members of the 2006 World Championship team, and all were on the 2007 Pan American Gold Medal team.

The final roster for the 2008 Olympic Team must be submitted to the United States Olympic Committee for final approval by July 1, 2008.

Below are the 15 members of the 2008 USA Softball Olympic team roster:

Monica Abbott, Salinas, Calif. (University of Tennessee ‘07)
Laura Berg, Santa Fe Springs, Calif. (Fresno State ’98)
Crystl Bustos, Canyon Country, Calif. (Palm Beach C.C.)
Andrea Duran, Selma, Calif. (UCLA ’06)
Jennie Finch, La Mirada, Calif. (Arizona ’02)
Tairia Flowers, Tucson, Ariz. (UCLA ’04)
Vicky Galindo, Union City, Calif. (Cal ’05)
Lovieanne Jung, Fountain Valley, Calif. (Arizona ’03)
Kelly Kretschman, Indian Harbour Beach, Fla. (Alabama ’01)
Lauren Lappin, Anaheim, Calif. (Stanford ’06)
Caitlin Lowe, Tustin, Calif. (Arizona ’07)
Jessica Mendoza, Camarillo, Calif. (Stanford ’02)
Stacey Nuveman, La Verne, Calif. (UCLA ’02)
Cat Osterman, Houston, Tex. (Texas '07)
Natasha Watley, Irvine, CA. (UCLA ’05)

Below are the replacement players of the 2008 USA Softball Olympic team:

Lisa Fernandez, Long Beach, Calif. (UCLA ’95)
Alicia Hollowell, Suisun, Calif. (Arizona ’06)
Jenny Topping, Whittier, Calif. (Cal State Fullerton ‘03)

Coaches for the 2008 USA Softball Women's Olympic Team will be Head Coach Mike Candrea (Casa Grande, Ariz.) from the University of Arizona, Assistant Coach Chuck D’Arcy (Sacramento, Calif.), Assistant Coach Karen Johns (Starkville, Miss.) and Assistant Coach John Rittman (San Jose, Calif.) from Stanford University.

For more information, see the Full release at usasoftball.com b

[wadeintothem]

It's really unfair for the rest of the world how stacked that team is with California softball players.

They otta handicap the team and make them use more players from the east coast or the south.

[Martin]

If they want to handicap the squad, Candrea should stay away from Blacksburg, VA!

[wadeintothem]

If they want to handicap the squad, Candrea should stay away from Blacksburg, VA!

Or steal Tincher!

Every now and then, even Virginia can produce a great ball player.

It's pretty rare, so grab em when you can.

Kinda like Osterman for Texas.

[jofus]

He didn't have to steal her, she tried out for the team, and from what I heard, pitched very well in the tryouts.

But, like you said, she's from VA.