Jennie Finch has made softball more popular then ever by striking out many pro baseball players and her other great achievements. Beginning softball at a young age has helped her become one of the best softball players ever. She has inspired many young girls to start playing softball and to be like her. Jennie Finch is an Olympic gold medalist who has worked hard to get where she is now.
Jennie’s Childhood
Jennie Finch’s childhood was mostly practice. She played softball almost all the time. She had tournaments every weekend in the summer. In high school she lettered in softball, along with lettering twice in basketball and volleyball (“Jock”). “She dreamed about playing on the LA Dodgers while she was growing up because there weren’t any softball teams to dream of” (“All”).
Jennie Finch’s Beginning
Her brothers Shane and Landon played baseball, so Jennie got started in T-Ball. Her dad noticed quickly that she had a good arm and put her in fast pitch softball as soon as she was old enough to play. In fact she started pitching with a pitching instructor at eight years old. Also her dad became her personal coach (“Jock”). One of the biggest reasons she is where she is now is because she doesn’t trash talk, but gets back at someone on the field (Igoe).
Jennie’s Obstacles
Jennie Finch has had to face many obstacles that came with following her dream. One of the things she doesn’t like at all is being away from her family when she has practices with the Chicago Bandits or the USA team. Additionally she also has a hard time dealing with losing (“All”). She has a lot of pressure being the face of the Olympic softball team. When she was growing up she didn’t like missing slumber parties, going to the mall with friends, and family vacations, but in the end she thinks it was worth it.
Jennie Finch has changed the way people look at softball. Olympic officials are considering taking softball out of the 2012 Olympics, but Jennie is working hard to keep it in the 2016 Olympics. She hasn’t given up on making sure it stays in the Olympics. She wants to make it so girls can follow their dreams by helping keep softball in the Olympics. As a result by working hard she has made her dream come alive and is now helping others stay alive.
