Cat Osterman, 38 years old, returns to the Olympics. Image courtesy of APCat Osterman will be wearing a different outfit when she takes to the Tokyo dirt for summer 38. After a long absence from the sport, it was her first tryout number for USA Softball. The number 8 was her Olympic gold medal winning number. 8 in 2004, and 2008, when she won Olympic silver. In her third Olympics, she is No. 38 seems very fitting, especially since Osterman is 38.AdvertisementThree-time National Player Of The Year, four-time All-American and former assistant college coach of softball is back on Team USA's national team to try to win their fourth Olympic gold.Osterman is one the two athletes on Team USA who have Olympic experience. She is also the only 2021 player to have won gold.Osterman spoke to Deadspin recently about her journey to Tokyo and her expectations for the Games. She also spoke out about what it's like to reach an age where her biggest supporters in 04 and 08 are now her team-mates in 21.Dustin Foote (I know the Olympics are coming up. But before we get there, can you take us back to last year? Let me know your thoughts when you learned that the Tokyo 2020 Games were being postponed.Cat Osterman: It was something I had expected. After we had broken tour, we were sent back home and you could just see how it was all unfolding. I was prepared for some delay or postponement. When they said it was a one year postponement, it seemed very long. But I took advantage of it and set up a plan to train at home. We were allowed to meet again as a team once January arrived. We all kind of picked up from where we left off but we also found ways to stay sharp at home.It was a mental challenge. It was a mental challenge. Then it stops. We all needed to mentally regroup, but we were back on track, ready to go.AdvertisementDF: What did you think of the decision to put softball back into the Olympics after a [13-year] hiatus.CO: It's exciting for our sport. This sport is highly contested worldwide. It is a sport that many people don't follow, especially if they haven't been following it for years between Olympics. It's an incredible sport that allows many types of female athletes to succeed. It will be back at the Olympics in 2021, which I am super excited about.AdvertisementDF: What has been the most difficult year for you?CO: I was a person who had to find a way to exercise. I could not always go to the gym where I was training. I could not throw to anyone, or even to the public cages. My husband offered to catch me, and he has been doing so. A spare bedroom has been converted into a home gym. [I've] been able find ways to train at the level I wanted, even though I'm a little older.AdvertisementDF: You mentioned your age briefly. I looked at the roster of Team USA and, umm, I'm trying to put it as nicely as possible. Lets just say that you are not the youngest member of the group like you were in 2004 or 2008. How do you stay motivated to continue competing at the highest level long into your 30s?CO: I took a bit of a break.DF: Right.CO: I retired after about 2/3 years. This allowed me to take a break from the game and to regroup. For the most part, however, I'm really motivated to help this younger generation. They lost an Olympic dream because softball was voted out of the 2008 elections.AdvertisementIt's a privilege to share in their journey and give them the chance to reach the top podium in Tokyo. That's what drives me every day. I want them to feel the same incredible accomplishments and amazing feelings as I did at a young age. To help them reach the top and get that gold medal, I retired.DF: What's it like to play alongside I presume some people that you looked up to growing up?AdvertisementCO: It's different. But, I was there once. I was able to test out against Lisa Fernandez, and Michele Smith who I looked up too. It's a complete circle moment, you know?It is different when Bubba Nickles, 23 years old, tells you that she has a poster of your face on her wall. They make me look younger than I actually am.AdvertisementDF: What can we expect from Team USA at the Olympics this year?CO: This is a great team to watch. They are more into the game than I have been a part of. You will see their passion for the game on the field. However, they are also highly competitive.AdvertisementIt's great to be able take the field knowing that each pitch was being played. Thanks to Dicks Sporting Goods, we were able do this right now. They have been so kind to allow us to train and prepare. We know that everyone will be looking out for us in Tokyo, Japan, Mexico, Canada.DF: There have been calls in Japan to postpone or cancel the games because of COVID in the past few months and weeks. Do you have concerns about going to the Olympics, even though everything seems fine?AdvertisementCO: I will be truthful and say that I don't hear anything from either the USOPC or the Japanese Olympic Committee. I'm going to continue my preparations as though I were still moving, and I'll keep an eye out for any official word. It is not within my control. Right now, I will focus on what I control, and that is being prepared for July.This conversation was edited to be more concise and clear.
