Team USA draws fans from all over Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 26 2008 05:32 AM By Evan Mohl
Killeen Daily Herald

Madora Smith has an autograph of every Team USA softball player with the exception of one: her favorite player, University of Texas grad and super southpaw Cat Osterman.

So when the 11-year old and her family found out the 2008 Olympic team was making a stop in Killeen, it was a no-brainer. The family of four ordered tickets and hopped in the car for the 2 1/2 hour drive from Ennis.

"I just love seeing the team (USA) and going to the games," said Smith, who has seen the national team three other times. "We went for the first time when I was 8, and I had to keep going."

For Smith, Osterman is the crown jewel she hasn't seized. She's the pitcher Smith wants to be one day.

"Cat is her favorite," said Jeanine, Smith's mother. "Madora's a pitcher and so is Cat. It's a natural bond. Hopefully, she'll get the autograph so I can stop driving so far."

On Wednesday, about 2,200 softball aficionados, coaches, players with big dreams and parents just like the Smiths descended upon the Killeen Athletic Center to get a once-in-a-lifetime look at the Team USA softball squad. They gawked at Jennie Finch's riser, wowed at Crystl Bustos' power and shook their heads at Natasha Watley's speed as they took on a Texas all-star team.

"I would not miss this game for the world," said Kaylynn Becker, an 11-year old from Moody. "I love Team USA. Cat Osterman, Jennie Finch, Monica Abbott ... they're the best."

Jocelyn Bartmess along with her mother Robin, traveled from Rogers to see the game. Jocelyn loves softball, and the two have share a special mother-daughter bond over the sport.

"A 45-minute drive for this is nothing," Jocelyn said. "This doesn't happen very often and it might not ever happen again with softball losing Olympic status after this year. So, my mom and I weren't going to miss this, I love this sport way too much."

Team USA is currently on its "Bound 4 Beijing" tour where it will visit 26 cities and travel a mind-boggling 37,265 miles. However, all those bus trips and plane rides didn't seem to bother anyone. They looked like they were having as much fun as the fans.

"All the traveling is certainly not easy," veteran Jessica Mendoza said. "At the end of the day, when you're looking into the eye's of the kids, that's what brings it into perspective. It makes it all worth it."

During batting practice, a player hit a foul ball and it grazed 7-year old McGee Eschete. As tears begin to well in the girl's eyes, Finch came running in from the outfield. The world-class ace went into the stands to make sure the girl was OK. Finch then picked up the ball and signed it. All of the sudden, those tears dried up and turned into a smile.

After the six-inning game in the heat, Team USA signed autographs for 45 minutes. They chatted with some of the fans and fulfilled several people's dreams.

"This is about reaching back, down to the grassroots," Team USA coach Mike Candrea said. "It's something unique, I think, to our sport."

While the game is supposed to technically get the Olympic squad ready for Beijing in August, the players realize it means more.

"It's not really the game, it's the kids," Mendoza said. "This is awesome for them. This is the one time they have the chance to meet the people they look up to. How can you beat that?"

Contact Evan Mohl at emohl@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7564.