Q&A
How did your efforts help your team win the 1996 Olympic gold medal?
At the Atlanta Games, I pitched in three games and played third base. I pitched and won a 1-0 game over China in the semifinals, and got a save in our final win against China. I pitched a perfect game until the tenth inning against Australia, but we lost the game. I also played third base and batted .348 with a home run and five RBIs.

When you are as good as you are, how can you get better?
I want to raise my game to a new level. I truly want to know how good I can get. I am known to have one of the best "drop balls" in the game. I took a challenge to work on my rise ball.

It's all in preparation. I don't feel like I'm at the top of my game yet. When it comes to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, that's when I want to be at my peak.

What is in your mind when you pitch to the batters?
I like to keep a batter guessing. My release, delivery, and expression are the same whether I am throwing a drop ball, a rise ball, a curve, or a changeup. A fastball is over 65 miles an hour. A changeup is much slower. I want to dominate the batter.

What will it be like playing in Australia?
It will be a more hostile environment, but we'll be ready. I won't be as overwhelmed in Australia (as Atlanta). Softball is in my blood. I want to win, and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about this great game.

The Olympic Spirit in YOU!
Lisa Fernandez is considered the best pitcher and all-around player in her sport. Yet she continually tries to improve her game. How good do you think you can get in school, sports, or a special activity? Use this exercise to learn how to continually improve what you do.

Make a list of five things that you are good at doing. Now make a list of two to three things you could do to improve what you are good at doing. Write a personal plan to achieve improvement for each of the things you are good at. Share your plan with others that can help you attain your improvements.

More Interviews

Akhnaten Spencer-El Alison Dunlap Anna Kozlova Barb Kunkel Chris Witty Dominique Moceanu Dan O'Brien Hunter Kemper

Jimmy Pedro Kevin Han Lindsay Davenport Laura Wilkinson Lisa Fernandez Mark Ruiz Ruthie Bolton-Holifield Tom Malchow

For more great stories about Olympians, ask your librarian about The Olympic Dream and Spirit, Vol. 1,2, and 3, with Bob Schaller, and Awaken the Olympian Within compiled by John Naber. Also look for the official U.S. Olympic book, A Basic Guide to Softball, featuring Lisa Fernandez.