King faces former Olympian Osterman
ROCKFORD, Ill. -- On Monday, Rockford College softball coach Kristyn King stepped back in time and into the batters box to face former Olympian and current Rockford Thunder pitcher Cat Osterman. King was chosen, along with Rockford Register Star sports reporter Mike DeDoncker, WREX-13 co-anchor Eric Wilson, Rock River Raptor wide receiver Brandon Wogomon, and Register Star On-Line editor Anna Voelker, to face Osterman as part of a promotion for the inaugural season for the Rockford Thunder of the National Fast Pitch Softball League (NPF), Rockford’s newest professional sports franchise.

Osterman, a member of the 2006 gold medal winning Olympic softball team, pitched for the University of Texas, where she won a record four Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Awards and held the NCAA Division I record for strikeouts with 2,265. She also pitched 20 no hitters and 10 perfect games for the Longhorns.

Each of the five local celebrities received five swings against Osterman, in hopes of getting a hit off one of the world’s best pitchers. Through the first three hitters, Wilson, Voelker, and DeDoncker, only Voelker managed to make contact, fouling one softly down the first base line. King then stepped to the plate.

King, a Rockford College alum and current assistant Athletic Director, entered the exhibition a bit nervous about facing the 6’2” lefty pitcher. Osterman’s fastball has been clocked between 62-65 mph from a distance of 43 feet (the distance between from the pitcher’s rubber to homeplate), which doesn’t leave much reaction time. After watching a couple of pitches, King fouled one off behind the plate. Then on her third pitch, King became the only participant to actually put a pitch into play, placing the ball between first and second base. The crowd erupted with applause as a smile came to King’s face. Osterman then turned up the heat for her final two pitches, King fouled one off and swung through the other.

“It was definitely a great experience,” said King after her triumph. “It’s amazing how quick the ball reaches the plate. Those ladies play at such a high level. It’s great that the National Fast Pitch Softball League has placed a team in Rockford, because it really gives young girls a first-hand look at where they can end up with a lot of hard work and dedication.”

The Thunder open their season on Wednesday with a three game set against the Chicago Bandits. On opening night, Osterman is expected to face fellow Olympian Jennie Finch of the Bandits. For more information about the Rockford Thunder, please visit their website at www.thunderprofastpitch.com.  

Courtesy of Rockford College, Sports Information Department, May 30, 2007.