Wednesday, June 20, 2001
USA hurler Catherine Osterman seems to be running before she has learned to walk. The 18-year-old is cutting her softball teeth on international play without having put on a collegiate uniform.
a fast starter
Osterman is the youngest
player on the nation's Red team,
but so far she's fearlessBy Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comAn incoming freshman for the University of Texas, Osterman is the youngest member of Team USA Red. She turned 18 in April and has already started her summer vacation with a bang.
The 6-foot-1 Osterman graduated from high school at the end of May and was packing her bags for San Diego a week later for the invitation-only USA national team tryouts. Osterman was the only player out of high school invited to the select camp.
"The last couple of months have been really hectic," Osterman said. "Traveling, playing, traveling, playing ... I kind of miss home a little bit but that's the price you pay for being on this team."
While her friends at home were busy working, relaxing and watching movies, Osterman was a starting pitcher for the Red team during the USA Softball Shootout, a tour that had stops in Portland, Spokane, Sacramento and Los Angeles prior to arriving in Honolulu.
Osterman is slated to start in the U.S. Cup that begins play tomorrow at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. The four-team tournament includes 2000 Olympic silver medalist Japan, 2000 bronze medalist Australia and 1996 silver medalist China.
It's the farthest the native of Katy, Texas, has been from home. But it's a position that she welcomes -- and the USA coaches are glad to have her.
"She's really exciting to have on the team because she brings a lot of youth, but she's got so much talent and ability," USA softball coach Kirk Walker said. "She's been really fun to coach and she's been fun for the team to have around."
The lanky left-hander admits to being intimidated at first when she found out she made the team. She soon settled in and gained confidence in her pitching.
"Little things here and there are a little shaky, but I'm definitely pitching a lot better than I had been the past few months," Osterman said. "Right after tryouts, I was throwing really well."
Osterman owns the lowest ERA on the team at 0.30 and showed enormous poise in a recent win against the Women's Professional Softball League Gold team, which featured several of the gold medalists from the 2000 Olympic team. In 9 2/3 innings, Osterman scattered four hits and struck out 13, including her mentor Michele Smith.
"It's weird pitching against your mentor," Osterman said. "I didn't know what to do (so) I just pitched. I struck her out twice but she got a double off me once. So the score's a little even there."
Though she doesn't always look comfortable during practice, Osterman feels most at ease in the pitching circle during high-pressure situations because it forces her to focus and let her mechanics take over.
"Just her raw talent is amazing," catcher Stacey Nuveman said. "To watch her go out there and face the 2000 Olympic team almost in its entirety and really throw fearlessly ... go right after the biggest hitters in the game. ... She's not scared of anybody. As a pitcher, that's priceless."
Nuveman should know. The 2000 gold medalist caught for some of USA softball's most legendary pitchers, including Lisa Fernandez and Michelle Smith. Like Osterman, Nuveman knows how it feels to be one of the younger players. She was just 22 when playing in the 2000 Olympics.