Jennie Finch
I try to not be too hard on myself regarding my diet. I've always been a workout-to-eat kind of a girl. I like to eat, to say the least.Collection: Diet
It is incredible how far women have come and women in sports have come.Collection: Sports
Try not to get lost in comparing yourself to others. Discover your gifts and let them shine! Softball is amazing that way as a sport. Everyone on the field has a slightly different ability that makes them perfect for their position.Collection: Amazing
A miracle is really the only way to describe motherhood and giving birth. It's unbelievable how God has made us women and babies to endure and be able to do so much. A miracle, indeed. Such an incredible blessing.Collection: Women
And my dad drilled it in my head, you know, 'If you want it bad enough, and you're willing to make the sacrifices, you can do it. But first you have to believe in yourself.Collection: Dad
My husband, after two weeks of dating, asked me, if our relationship were to work out, would I be OK with our first boy being named Ace.Collection: Dating
Growing up, I looked up to major league baseball players, and now these young women have amazing, incredible women all across the board, from swimming to gymnastics to softball to basketball.Collection: Amazing
I try to not be too hard on myself regarding my diet. I've always been a workout-to-eat kind of a girl.Collection: Diet
Try not to get lost in comparing yourself to others. Discover your gifts and let them shine!
There's nothing better than working up a good sweat.
Whatever I am doing at that moment, I want to make the most of it.
Dad was the pitching coach, while Mom was the emotional supporter. Her unconditional love was great, and she wanted what was best for me. It was more about what she did than what she said, and she made sure I was the best I could be.
Throwing a ball is not natural, whether it's overhand or underhand.
When I was 12, I had a coach tell me I would never be a championship pitcher. That devastated me. I was crushed.
I try to squeeze in a workout whenever I can, even if it's doing squats with my 7-month-old in the kitchen or jumping on the trampoline with my 5-year-old.
I just feel like it gets harder and harder every year with Ace getting older and time away from my husband and even family events such as birthdays and friends' weddings and things that I've always just missed out on because of softball.
I'm playing first base and pitching and hitting. I feel like I'm almost better than I've ever been. It's like, 'You're going to walk away like this?'
When you train six to seven hours a day to be the best in your sport, you don't want that to be overlooked. I don't train for my looks.
Softball has given me so much in life. It's taught me the kind of person I want to be, and given me a sweet sisterhood. It even led me to my husband.
Growing up, I watched softball and U.S.A .softball, and that was my goal of being able to represent my country and wear the red, white, and blue out there, and I think it is one of the highest honors to be able to go out there and compete for your country, and it was something so very special, and it was everything I dreamt of and more.
College was the greatest four years of my life.
I've faced more than 35 major leaguers, and only two have ever made contact against me.
Right now in my career, it's like I'm having more fun than I've ever had, so it's kind of like, 'Man, I can't stop now.'
I mean, I love winning, but losing is a much more intense feeling.
This whole career has been way more than I ever even imagined or dreamed.
It's all about balance and, I think, being in the moment.
When I lose, I take it very personally.
It's so empowering to see yourself as a machine.
I love to run. I was challenged to run the New York marathon four months after having my youngest son, and since running isn't a big part of softball, the thought of a marathon was a stretch for me.
I still think there are some pitches in this pitching arm, so I will continue playing with USA Softball, but knowing that this could be the last time a softball player stands on the Olympic podium and has the opportunity of experiencing this - it was emotional.
If I'm with my sons, I want to give them 100 percent. Whatever I am doing at that moment, I want to make the most of it.
There is nothing better than to make it to the College World Series. All of the extra reps in the weight room, all of the early morning practices, and all the hard work spent the entire year makes it worth it.
I was honored to wear 'Arizona' across my chest. I am extremely blessed to have my education completely paid for and take part in the great tradition of Wildcat softball. To have my jersey number retired was the ultimate compliment.
It is one thing to play for your university. It is another to play for your country.
I loved being on the field playing and teaching softball. I didn't like the fact that a camp had my name on it and I didn't know the logistics of what was going on. I wanted to make sure I was involved in a camp that did things right.
I really like Dontrelle Willis' pitch; he's animated on the mound and is fun to watch - he gets into the game emotionally.
I love being outside with my boys, playing tag or trying to keep up with them.
You're not going to get off the couch and be at some amazing fast pace or burn crazy amounts of calories, but you have to start somewhere... Eventually, you'll get there.
Although it is disappointing that softball was not reinstated into the Olympics, we are going to continue to keep growing the sport.
College softball each year reaches new levels of interest.
Being fit and being in the best shape that I can be helps me be the best mom as well.
Growing up, I looked up to major league baseball players, and now these young women have amazing, incredible women all across the board, from swimming to gymnastics to softball to basketball. It is incredible how far women have come and women in sports have come.
I love the Olympics.
I'm pretty adaptable and can adjust to any environment.
Running a marathon is something I've always wanted to do.
Dad was the pitching coach, while Mom was the emotional supporter. Her unconditional love was great, and she wanted what was best for me.
You don't take a class; you're thrown into motherhood and learn from experience.
I realize the differences between my children and use what works for each of them individually.
I'm a role model for lots of young girls.
I'd love to have four or five kids.