Cat to Japan

[lostman]

Just an FYI for all 2 of you who are interested

From her Facebook page:

It's official, signed on the dotted line.... Megan Willis and I are heading over to Japan to play!! We're now members of Toyota Industries Corporation's team!! Departure day is March 13th... another adventure to embark upon.

 

[Bill in Sinton]

Thanks for sharing! Good luck to CAT and Megan. It is too bad they couldn't play for a team in their own country though.

 

[lostman]

They will be back in time for the NPF season. Cat and Megan will both be playing for the USSSA Pride in Orlando. Japan has 2 seasons, March - June and then Aug - Nov.

 

[ViperHorn]

I will make it 3 who are interested. It is a shame that they have to go to Japan to pursue their playing careers.

 

[Texanne]

I'm No. 4!

Yes, it's a shame that they can't be playing in their home country, but how wonderful for them that their talents allow them a fantastic opportunity to experience another culture first-hand. I don't know about Japan, but in other countries,the sports most Americans consider to be non-major sports are a big deal. I have a feeling that Cat and Megan are about to become goddesses to an entire nation.

and

!!

 

[majorwhiteapples]

Make it number 5!!!!!

That is awesome what an experience!!!!!!!

I wonder if there will be any games that we can stream?

 

[Mobyhorn]

Go for it!

 

[lostman]

major - when I find out about any streaming or anything, I'll post. So much unknown right now.

 

[majorwhiteapples]

Awesome, thanks.

I know China was great, but I bet Japan would be an awesome experience. Talk about a cultural experience.

 

[nashhorn]

Another big fan. One of my favrote souveniers is cap signed by that battery.
Those girls should have a ball in Japan. I expect them to be huge heroes for different reasons, one tall attractive talented dark hair and one gorgeous fun loving talented blond. And the Japanese love their baseball so guess, or hope, that softball is up there too.
Best to them both - Hookem

 

[majorwhiteapples]

Just checking in, does her team have a website or anything such as that?

 

[lostman]

Aww, thanks for all the "Cat-love" guys!
Toyota-Shokki Softball
Right now this is the only link I have. Does anyone read Japanese? She and Megan are still on schedule to leave next week. But that may change, obviously. I will post more as I get the info. And yeah - the Japanese love softball as much as baseball.

She and Megan will also be playing again with USSSA Pride (June to August) then back to Japan for the fall season.
USSSA Pride

 

[majorwhiteapples]

Wow, what the heck, is she still going? Man what , don't even know what to say.

That website was kinda funny. All of the Japanese girls height wise couldn't fill up the picture. Then you get to Cat's and hers is full. She is going to be a giant over there if she gets to go.

 

[lostman]

She and Megan are still going. Where they will be living, Kariya, is quite far from where the earthquake and tsunami hit. All the other USA girls that are there are all safe, as are their team members. Keep good thoughts for them! I'll let you know when the season starts.

 

[majorwhiteapples]

Good to hear everyone is safe, thanks.

Thanks for the update.

 

[lostman]

Arrived in Japan on Tuesday, only to be sent back to the states for a week or so, tomorrow. Better safe than irradiated.

 

[lostman]

Back in Kariya this week, practice game yesterday. 2 innings, 6 batters, 6 K's.

Season opener Saturday against Yukiko Ueno's pro team. Ueno was the pitcher for Japan in Beijing 2008. Don't know if there is any way to follow, but will post if there is. Otherwise, I'll post stats after.

 

[majorwhiteapples]

Love the stat line:

2 innings, 6 batters, 6 K's!!!!!

So I guess it comes down to how many were K's swinging vs. the backwards K, looking?

It is so matter of fact, yawn, 6 batters, 6 K's!!!!!! That was just the practice game.

Thanks for the update!!!!

 

[lostman]

They played Saturday afternoon (their time, 2AM here). Won 2-0 with Catherine throwing all 8 innings. Don't know the stat line yet though. Kinda late there right now.

 

[majorwhiteapples]

I can guess the stat line,, 8 innings, 24 batters, 24 K's?

 

[lostman]

She thinks maybe 11 or 12 actually. Still battling jet lag and all the related issues with that, so not throwing 100% yet. Drop ball was not on, but that is like a golf game, one thing is off and the next day it's something else.

 

[Sidewinder07]

Cat has a YouTube link to her 1st game in Japan www.catosterman.com/videos/game-1-with-shokki.html

 

[lostman]

From the newspaper after the above posted game. All I know is that the title says "From Beijing Olympics Revenge". Small pic at the bottom is of Ueno, the pitcher for the JNT that beat USA in the gold medal game in Beijing.

 

[majorwhiteapples]

Cool video. Thanks. I haven't visited her site in awhile.

The funny thing was after the innings were over and they gathered by the first base line, she was a giant amongst the Japanese ladies. It was funny.

 

[lostman]

Follow ShokkiSoftball on Twitter. They are going to try tweeting game updates there. Next game is scheduled for 10:30 AM Saturday Tokyo time. We are 14 hours behind them. First time for them to try this, so be patient if it is not working well at first!

 

[lostman]

Lost their game Saturday vs Yudin 4-0, Cat had 8 K's in 5 innings with 3hits (I think) but no earned runs, team had 3 errors. Sunday's game vs Maxell they won 3-0, Cat had 14 K's in 7 innings. Drop ball was back.

If you Google Shokki Softball and hit the first link (Toyota Industries) and the Translate this link you can glean a bit more info if you are interested. The translations are amusing!

 

[Sidewinder07]

Cat

Enough said