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Jennie Finch talks Women’s College World Series, Olympics

By Matt Verderame

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The Women’s College World Series is underway, and it is getting more attention than ever. According to ESPN’s figures, the 2014 Super Regionals did a 30 percent increase over the prior year across all TV platforms, racking up over 26 million viewers.

Despite a lack of nationally recognizable stars, softball has begun to crease the national conscience throughout the last decade. Perhaps the brightest star in the sport’s history, Jennie Finch, has plenty to do with raising the sport’s profile. On Friday, Finch spoke with us about where the sport has been, where it is going and her hopes for it to be re-introduced as an Olympic event.

Finch starred at Arizona as a starting pitcher and won a national championship in 2001, all while setting an NCAA record with 51 consecutive wins. Finch also touched on the Capital One Cup, which has a formula to reward the best athletic program – for both men and women – in the country. The winning schools each get $200,000 from Capital One to go towards student-athlete scholarships.

Below was our Q & A with the two-time Olympic medalist:

Q: How rewarding has it been to see the sport becoming more mainstream?

A: It’s incredible to see the sport grow and gain the coverage, publicity and platform that it has. The weather was horrible in Oklahoma City and over 16 thousand fans came out to support it on opening day. I couldn’t be any more giddy, watching it and seeing the heights. Fans are watching it all over the country. It’s truly amazing.

Q: How has softball changed since you played in college with Arizona from 1999-2002?

A: My freshman year we had one game televised and it wasn’t even live. My senior year all our games were televised and they were all live. … Just to see the growth the last 10 to 12 year is incredible. Youngsters are now watching softball week in and week out. It’s not just the Women’s College World Series; it is preseason and college games. … People can tune in and watch college softball year-round. It gives me goosebumps.

Q: What has led to the increase in viewership?

A: Each year ESPN has seen record-breaking totals. Each year it has increased exponentially. Between media outlets and social media, all across the board it’s being talked about. There is always room for improvements. It isn’t because they just want to show us, the fans are breaking records and asking for more and ESPN is answering the call. It’s great to see these young women have the opportunity to shine.

Q: How tough was it to see Softball bumped out of the Olympics in 2012?

A: It was devastating. Especially being a female athlete. I was so blessed to be on the Dream Team of 2004 and the opportunity was like none before. To have it stripped away was heartbreaking and devastating, but you can only control what you can control. Girls have college to look forward and most importantly, can get an education. From there you can play in the National Fast Pitch Softball League. … Hopefully in 2020, Tokyo being the host, our hopes lie heavily there with the new president of the International Olympic Committee. We should know in the next couple of months if softball and baseball will get back in.

Q: Can you tell us more about the Capital One Cup?

“It honors all the sports across the board, men’s and women’s separately. … Being part of an athletic department I know the unity of cheering for the all the sports and now there is more on the line with cheering for your school to come out with more points.

Q: Is softball seeing more parity because schools are focusing more on softball or because the facilities are simply getting better?

A: I think it’s cumulative. When I played it was the PAC 12 that dominated it with the national championships basically being between Arizona and UCLA. I think there are better training facilities and technology across the game. There is such a chance to get better. The SEC has come along and is strong with $10 million complexes. … It doesn’t matter where you come from.

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