Members of the women's softball team of Japan celebrate on the podium at the awarding ceremony of the women's softball competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Japan claimed the title in this event. (Xinhua/Wu Wei) Photo Gallery>>>

    By Sportswriter Bai Xu

    BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Japanese boyish pitcher Ueno Yukiko led the national team to win the Olympic softball gold, beating the three-time Olympic champions the United States 3-1 in the final here on Thursday.

    The 26-year-old ace pitcher worked seven complete innings, striking out five batters and allowing five hits.

 

Members of the women's softball team of Japan (front in white) and the United States (in red) react after the grand final match of the women's softball competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Japan claimed the title in this event, and the United States won the silver. (Xinhua/Wu Wei) Photo Gallery>>>

   Japan, with an Olympic silver and a bronze, as well as a 6-1 win-loss record from this preliminaries, had a difficult time advancing into the final on Wednesday.

    On the morning, the team had an early encounter with American ladies during semi-final, when Ueno hurled throughout the prolonged nine-inning match at a speed above 110 kilometers per hour.

    Although Japanese finally lost with a score of 1-4, they seized the last chance in the afternoon.

    The do-or-die competition with Australia was a tiring one. With 12 innings, it was the longest one at the Beijing Olympics.

    It was still the short-haired Ueno in the center of the field, sweating and tossing to post a 4-3 tally for her team over the Oceanian.

    In total, she pitched 28 innings over the two days.

Members of the women's softball team of Japan (white) and the United States (red) clap hands after the grand final match of the women's softball competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Japan claimed the title in this event, and the United States won the silver. (Xinhua/Wu Wei) Photo Gallery>>>

    "I haven't pitched so many games in a row like these two days before. But I know it was the top level game and we played in Olympic arena. So there is not only physical issues but also the mental spirit. It's the strong belief to drive me to win," said the exhausted girl.

    The rain on Thursday didn't dampen enthusiasm of spectators, who cheered in yellow raincoats.

    Speed of her balls was lowered to about 105 kilometers per hour, she adopted a different strategy this time.

    "I put my pitch with more spin tonight," she said.

    With their strong-minded hurler's lead, Japanese hot-batting hitters took pains to seize the chance and edged the lead to 2-0 in the fourth inning. A powerful swing of Eri Yamada delivered a brilliant solo homer to boost the Japanese confidence to grab their first ever gold medal.

Members of the women's softball team of Japan (1st, 2nd and 3rd from R) and the United States react at the awarding ceremony of the women's softball competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Japan claimed the title in this event and United States won the silver. (Xinhua/Wu Wei) Photo Gallery>>>

    Crystl Bustos, American slugger who was the Olympic holder with 10 home runs up to now, added the 11th homer to her list in the bottom fourth. The sun-tanned stalwart batter sent a knee-height pitch from previously untouchable Ueno soaring up into the right field stands to narrow the gap to 2-1.

    But the Japanese rallied to achieve the decisive run in the seventh inning, widening the lead to 3-1 and pushing the Americans to the verge of the cliff.

    The desperate Americans failed to make miracles in the closing inning, losing their first Olympic gold medal since softball made a debut show at the Atlanta Games in 1996.

    CALLING FOR RETURN

    Japan's head coach Haruka Saito said her side's victory had two meanings.

    "It is probably our last Olympic Games. Hopefully our victory tonight could help with retrieval of the sport. It is a big motivation for us and much meaningful than the game itself. We will promote it all over the world, every corner of the world."

    Outfielder Ayumi Karino also believed their teams' performance could help with the softball's return.

    "It will have a big influence, allowing children's dreams to come true. It will have a huge effect on the Back Softball campaign to bring it to the Olympic Games."

    American softballer Jessica Mendoza said, "It's interesting because everyone says all the time that we win and no one can compete. It was proven today that other teams can win. The sport should remain. It's global. It's been a beautiful last two weeks of softball."

    In fact, The U.S. softball team hopes to use Beijing as a world class stage to showcase the sport and prove it belongs in the Olympics.

    "The IOC (International Olympic Committee) took my softball dreams away. You know, and that is like a knife to the heart," said American ace pitcher Jennie Finch.

    Crystl Bustos said, "what we have got to do is ask the people that are voting, that do not really quite understand, to come out, watch the sport."

    Softball has been voted out of the agenda of the 2012 London Olympics and it was undecided whether it could be reinstated four years later.

    On Wednesday, IOC President Jacques Rogge and Ex-president Juan Antonio Samaranch both came to the Fengtai softball field to watch the semi-final.

    "I think he (Rogge) is enjoying the game and Mr. Samaranch, too. He has been very busy and tired as many events and functions needed him to be there, but he still spent time to see our sport," said Don Porter, President of International Softball Federation.

    Porter said he was very optimistic for reinstatement of the sport after attendance of the IOC officials. "But there are more work for us to do," he said.

    DISAPPOINTED CHINESE

    Compared with the old man who was left with hope, Chinese softball ladies were left with regret.

    The sixth place set their worst Olympic record.

    When softball was introduced into the Olympic agenda in 1996, Chinese softballers made history by grabbing a silver after a disputable 1-0 in the semi-final.

    In the following Sydney and Athens Games, the ladies narrowly missed a podium by finishing fourth.

    At the Beijing Olympics, Chinese softball ladies beat Venezuela and Netherlands, but the success was followed by a string of defeats.

    Biggest debacle came on Monday, when China lost to the United States with an appalling 0-9. American's nine runs in a singe inning also tied the Olympic record which was created by Chinese Taipei in 1996.

    After the match, many players cried as they didn't know if they would still have chance to compete on Olympic arena again, while the ending was so cruel.

    "Some of our players are beyond 30. This is definitely the last chance for them to achieve glory," said Chinese coach Wang Lihong.

    "They did their best, but their will was not strong enough and they lacked confidence in the matches," she said, "in retrospect, we won in the 1990s due to good mental condition. You can see firmness sparkling in the players' eyes."

    Sun Bojie, technical operation manager at the Fengtai softball field and a veteran judge, said that lack of popularization is a major problem confronting China to improve its softball level.

    "In fact, softball is a very interesting game that involves hitting, pitching and running. It is suitable for ordinary people to play," he said, "it should reach to more Chinese people from all walks of life."