Monday
July 31, 2006
sports.michigandaily.com
sports@michigandaily.com
SPORTS
1.3
Findlay,
Ritter
goldenn
Taiwan
By Jeremy Davidson
Editor in Chief
Team USA is used to facing chal-
lenges on the diamond, but the team
found an even more bizarre one
before even stepping foot on the
playing field.
The team, which fielded two Wol-
verines, almost didn't make it to the
World Softball Championships in
Kaohsiung, Taiwan, as its plane was
nearly taken down in a monsoon.
"Our plane almost crashed," out-
going senior Jennie Ritter said.
"(Michigan coach) Carol (Hutchins)
thought we were going to die."
But rather than let the weather
push it away, the team made it to
the tournament and left a lasting
impact, winning the gold medal
in its third attempt against power-
house Chinese Tapei.
Team USA appeared to be on
cruise control in the early stages of
the tournament, as it won its first
four games by a combined total
score of 35-3.
One of these victories came in no
small part from Ritter, who pitched
a perfect game against South Afri-
ca, a dominant 15-0 victory for the
United States.
Ritter said that even though the
South African team didn't put up
much competition, it was exciting to
see South Africa put together a team,
because it indicated that the sport is
expanding around the world.
The United States suffered its first
loss in the final game of round robin
play, losing to Chinese Taipei 4-2.
Fenway tops list
of baseball venues
BOSTON - two games within these hallowed
adies and gentleman of the grounds have shown me what it is to
baseball congregation, I have be a true baseball fan, and how to
a confession to make. act properly during a baseball game.
For 20 years I had I didn't need a prompt
been living a lie and to let me know when to
pretending to be some- get up and cheer; I just
one I wasn't. had to listen to my fellow,
I tried to hide it from fans as they stood up from
my friends and family, their seats and chanted
but the only person I Let's go Papi, or Man-ny,
was fooling was myself. Man-ny!
I was passing I found out what it
myself off as a true means to truly love a
baseball fan. team; to be willing to take
I constantly wore Hyour entire family from
baseball caps, adorned BOSCH your home in Ohio and
my bedroom with The Bosch come to Massachusetts ,
baseball memorabilia Watch to watch a baseball game
- heck, I even watched (like the family that sat
the movie "Ed." behind me on Friday night).
And I was content with this exis- I discovered that just wearing
tence, satisfied with the fact that the team gear or going to the game
I didn't know what current Major isn't enough to be a true fan; you
League team was known as the have to be in a relationship with
Highlanders in 1912 (the Yankees), the team. You have to be like my
or that the last player to win the roommate, who talks about the
triple crown was Carl Yaztremski players as if they were members of -
(not Ted Williams). his family. You have to be like the
But the baseball gods wouldn't couple I talked to on Friday night,
continue to let me live like this. They who instead of going to a fine res-
showed me the promise land - the taurant the first night away from the
chapel of baseball - and allowed me children in awhile, they went to the
to see the errors of my ways. baseball game together.
I've been shown a place where That's right, instead of pinot and
the peanuts and crackerjacks aren't fetticino con pesto with a fine saf-
handed to the fans, but thrown to fron sauce over candle light, these
them by the vendors. two had beer and Fenway franks
The dominant music heard under the night lights of the park.
throughout the stadium is the sound Standing inside the same park
of an organ playing, not the sounds that housed legends such as Ted
of the shrilly Ashlee Simpson Williams and Babe Ruth, seeing all
(which was playing for 45 minutes the dimples (don't call them dents
before a game at Shea Stadium). in Boston) on the Green Monster
I've been shown a place where and sitting in Major League base-
a portion of the seats are older (72 ball's last remaining wooden seats
years old) than the team's GM (30). made me appreciate the game that
That place is Fenway Park - one much more.
of America's most treasured sites. Because of my experience at Fen-
And the experience of watching See FENWAY, Page 15
The United States was then bested
by Chinese Taipei again the follow-
ing day by a score of 5-1.
This forced the United States
to play Japan in the next round,
where Wolverine junior Samantha
Findlay's walk-off home run gave
team USA a 3-2 victory and put the
red, white and blue in a rematch
against Chinese Taipei to compete
for the gold.
Clutch performances from the
Wolverines in the final helped the
team top its nemesis and earn the
gold medal in the process, making
the third time a charm with a 4-3
victory.
Ritter, in her final competition as
a University athlete, pitched eight
innings against Chinese Taipei, and
Findlay had another walk-off perfor-
mance at the plate, this time with a
game-ending single.
Ritter, who went 4-0 for the
tournament, is currently playing
softball professionally with the
PFX softball tour - a group of 28
softball players that travels around
the country playing demonstration
See SOFTBALL, Page 15
. MEN'S BASKETBALL
Abram and Smith to go down under
By Scott Bell to Australia," Amaker said through the athletic Michigan's former leading scorer in the 2002-
Daily Sports Editor department. "It is truly an honor to participate, 2003 season, has seen plenty of action in his col-
and we all look forward to representing the Big legiate career.
Basketball will return to Crisler Arena this Ten Conference abroad." But several nagging injuries over the past two
weekend, and a few familiar faces will be along Amaker, who was named the coach to this team years have limited the three-year captain's play-
for the ride. earlier in the spring, named the rosters for the ing time, and seeing action in this tour could be
A four-day training camp for the Big Ten For- four-game tour last Monday. exactly what he needs to prepare him for his final
eign Tour Team will be held at the Wolverines' The Wolverines will be the lone team with season at Michigan.
home, with Michigan coach Tommy Amaker at multiple representatives, as the coach of the Other Big Ten coaches may have had the same
the helm. Joining him will be two members of team commonly is allowed to select two of his idea, as four other seniors were named to the team
his own team: fifth-year senior Lester Abram and players. for the tour, which will begin August 8th and run
sophomore Jerret Smith. Abram's selection to the team comes as a bit of through August 18th.
"We look forward to getting everyone togeth- a surprise. Typical participants are younger play- Smith will join the team after an up-
er in training camp and then taking our group ers hoping to get more experience, and Abram, See TOUR, Page 14
AT\.LA
Michigan DaOyZ.CJ
Account Re
ofthewekL m