I haven't posted on here in a very long time but Lady Knights comments inspired me! While I understand the point Lady Knights made, I don't think the big picture is scene here.
As someone who frequently travels the world both pitching and coaching pitchers in many countries, I can tell you the rest of the world is getting better. Yes, the USA dominated the '04 Olympics, nobody can deny that. But, the USA Men's Basketball team also dominated the sport in 1992 but, the rest of the world simply got better. While it's true we didn't go into Athens with Shaq, Kobe, etc. the fact remains that most people felt we could've sent a weak NBA team and still would've mopped up. That's simply not the case. As they have in basketball, the rest of world is improving their softball programs. They hire coaches and players from here in the USA to develop their programs and the game was on the assent globally.
While it didn't show in '04, there's no denying how much better other countries have become. There are more schools going abroad to recruit players (Tanya Harding for example).
USA softball dominates for a couple reasons. #1. ASA/USA has the resources to make sure our team is the best equiped and is in constant training. Other countries simply don't have that kind of money. Australia and Japan are close.. and guess who came in 2nd and 3rd! #2. Our college program is a great feeder system for team USA.
I'm not so sure the Olympic offiicals are prepared for the amount of heat they are going to take for this. The last sport removed was 1936, long before email and the internet. Who knows, with enough pressure from the softball/baseball world... both will stay in. Great Britian has made great strides in their softball programs, I'm willing to bet they want it in.
Bill Hillhouse
www.houseofpitching.com