Olympics Women's Softball: U.S. Women Dominate in Beijing

It would be a severe understatement to say that the U.S. women's softball team is dominating the Olympics. So far, they have scored over 50 runs and have only allowed one single run in all of their games combined. That one run was given up to Canada . . . and that run was unearned! The offense has been swinging some hot bats and the pitchers, Cat Osterman and Jennie Finch, have been throwing like smoking aces off the rubber.

These ladies are winning with class and pride and they are making all of us Americans proud. These all-stars have won gold medals in all of the Olympics since 1996. They are true legends of the Olympics.

I hope to continue watching them dominate the Olympics in upcoming years . . . but that won't happen. The Olympic committee has decided to do away with women's softball in future Olympics. This is very disturbing news. With this decision, they are instantly shattering dreams of future softball stars. One of the reasons for doing away with softball is apparently because nobody can compete with the United States. So, basically, these talented and hard working females are getting punished for performing at a high level in their sport. Does that sound right?

What do other countries think of this? Are they happy or are they disappointed? I would think the athletic and competitive nature of other Olympic athletes would want to have another crack at the U.S. women at future Olympics, don't you?

It's just funny that they will keep sports like badminton in the Olympics, but will get rid of softball, which is arguably MUCH MORE popular across the world than badminton. What is next? What about Michael Phelps? Phelps absolutely dominated swimming in Beijing. He appears unbeatable. He is the superman of swimming. Nobody has an answer for him. So does that mean they are now going to get rid of swimming in the Olympics because nobody can beat Phelps? And what about Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh? They are plowing through their competition in beach volleyball. What if they win a gold medal without ever losing a single set? Will the Olympic committee then get rid of beach volleyball? Where does it end??

It's a shame that nobody can compete with our women, but is that enough reason to dispose of the sport in the Olympics? What kind of message is that sending to our youth? They are basically telling our youth to "give up" if the competition is too talented. Do we want our kids giving up? No, of course not. We want our youth to take on the toughest of challenges and to never give up, no matter how tough and intimidating the odds are.

I sincerely hope the committee will rethink this decision. In a world of sports that is dominated by men, it would be a shame to take this special moment away from our talented women.