Quotes by Jennie Finch

I get has been great. It has opened so many doors for me.

You have been doing something that has brought you success, and you are in the playoffs because you have been doing some thing right.

The best compliment I've gotten was being compared to Randy Johnson. We're both hard-throwing.

The whole sexiness thing-I don't know if I'm comfortable with that. But it has helped the sport grow. I think it changes how people see women's athletics.

You're not going to get off the couch and be at some amazing fast pace or burn crazy amounts of calories, but you have to start somewhere Eventually, you'll get there.

My life has been centered around sports. It is where I have met my closest friends and shaped the values that have made me a successful athlete, student and role model for young people.

I do my job on the mound and then do what I can at the plate, always working on helping the team anyway I can.

Got any pitches? I got five pitches-rise-ball, curveball, screwball, drop-ball and changeup.

My family vacations were softball tournaments.

I'm living a dream. I hope in 10 years people will know me as a gold medalist.

I blame and credit my brothers for my competitive fire within me. Growing up, I lost at everything! My brothers are quite a bit older -- 10 years and 5 years -- so it was a challenge, but I have some of the most amazing memories with my big brothers.

Have unconditional love to your children no matter what happens. Give them time even in the midst of this busy life -- be one on one with them.

I didn't really get into boys until my junior year of high school, when I had my first boyfriend. But for the most part I was always playing sports, so I was too busy for them!

We're Avocado League trying to just urge people to add avocado into their diet. It's healthy and full of vitamins and minerals.

I may be wearing makeup, but I can throw a fastball by you at the same time.

How's motherhood? It is absolutely wonderful. Oh, my gosh. It's truly indescribable and amazing.

I've face more than 35 major leaguers, and only two have ever made contact against me.

I had female role models to look up to starting in middle school, athletes like Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm who made me realize that there was room in the world of sports for women. They ignited my dream of becoming an Olympic athlete.

From what I hear, it's a normal thing to feel guilty as a mother, especially when trying to fill the needs of a newborn along with maintaining what you had with your first child.

I can't tell you how much I respect all the single parents out there doing it all solo.

The main thing is to win. You just try to keep your tunnel vision on to get the team the win.

When I was growing up, softball had stereotypes along with other female sports. But society is definitely changing since the WNBA and WUSA. Muscles on female athletes are OK now. Young

girls can look up to beautiful, athletic, fit women.

I could have never dreamed what an amazing ride this has been.

A macho attitude is totally to my advantage. Guys try to hit it 400 feet out of the park, but in softball you have to use a short, quick swing. Big, huge swings equal big, huge strikeouts.

And my dad drilled it in my head, you know, 'If you want it bad enough, and you're willing to make the sacrifices, you can do it. But first you have to believe in yourself'.

My parents were born and raised in Iowa and my two brothers were born in Iowa before my family moved to California where I was born so I still really feel like I have those Midwestern roots.

It is incredible how far women have come and women in sports have come.

Growing up, I looked up to major league baseball players, and now these young women have amazing, incredible women all across the board, from swimming to gymnastics to softball to basketball.

I love to run. I was challenged to run the New York marathon four months after having my youngest son, and since running isn't a big part of softball, the thought of a marathon was a stretch for me.

I try to squeeze in a workout whenever I can, even if it's doing squats with my 7-month-old in the kitchen or jumping on the trampoline with my 5-year-old.

Whatever I am doing at that moment, I want to make the most of it.

It's all about balance and, I think, being in the moment.

There's nothing better than working up a good sweat.

It's so empowering to see yourself as a machine.

When I lose, I take it very personally.

Growing up, I looked up to major league baseball players, and now these young women have amazing, incredible women all across the board, from swimming to gymnastics to softball to basketball. It is incredible how far women have come and women in sports have come.

A miracle is really the only way to describe motherhood and giving birth. It's unbelievable how God has made us women and babies to endure and be able to do so much. A miracle, indeed. Such an incredible blessing.

I've faced more than 35 major leaguers, and only two have ever made contact against me.

You don't take a class; you're thrown into motherhood and learn from experience.

I still think there are some pitches in this pitching arm, so I will continue playing with USA Softball, but knowing that this could be the last time a softball player stands on the Olympic podium and has the opportunity of experiencing this -- it was emotional.

When I was 12, I had a coach tell me I would never be a championship pitcher. That devastated me. I was crushed.

I just feel like it gets harder and harder every year with Ace getting older and time away from my husband and even family events such as birthdays and friends' weddings and things that I've always just missed out on because of softball.

I mean, I love winning, but losing is a much more intense feeling.

Softball has given me so much in life. It's taught me the kind of person I want to be, and given me a sweet sisterhood. It even led me to my husband.

I'm playing first base and pitching and hitting. I feel like I'm almost better than I've ever been. It's like, 'You're going to walk away like this?'

This whole career has been way more than I ever even imagined or dreamed.

And my dad drilled it in my head, you know, 'If you want it bad enough, and you're willing to make the sacrifices, you can do it. But first you have to believe in yourself.

Right now in my career, it's like I'm having more fun than I've ever had, so it's kind of like, 'Man, I can't stop now.'

When I was a kid, I dreamed of using a bat with my own name on it.

I'd love to have four or five kids.

I'm a role model for lots of young girls.

When you train six to seven hours a day to be the best in your sport, you don't want that to be overlooked. I don't train for my looks.

I realize the differences between my children and use what works for each of them individually.

Dad was the pitching coach, while Mom was the emotional supporter. Her unconditional love was great, and she wanted what was best for me.

Running a marathon is something I've always wanted to do.

I'm pretty adaptable and can adjust to any environment.

Being fit and being in the best shape that I can be helps me be the best mom as well.

College softball each year reaches new levels of interest.

Although it is disappointing that softball was not reinstated into the Olympics, we are going to continue to keep growing the sport.

You're not going to get off the couch and be at some amazing fast pace or burn crazy amounts of calories, but you have to start somewhere... Eventually, you'll get there.

Throwing a ball is not natural, whether it's overhand or underhand.

My husband, after two weeks of dating, asked me, if our relationship were to work out, would I be OK with our first boy being named Ace.

I love being outside with my boys, playing tag or trying to keep up with them.

I try to not be too hard on myself regarding my diet. I've always been a workout-to-eat kind of a girl. I like to eat, to say the least.

College was the greatest four years of my life.

I really like Dontrelle Willis' pitch; he's animated on the mound and is fun to watch -- he gets into the game emotionally.

I loved being on the field playing and teaching softball. I didn't like the fact that a camp had my name on it and I didn't know the logistics of what was going on. I wanted to make sure I was involved in a camp that did things right.

I was honored to wear 'Arizona' across my chest. I am extremely blessed to have my education completely paid for and take part in the great tradition of Wildcat softball. To have my jersey number retired was the ultimate compliment.

There is nothing better than to make it to the College World Series. All of the extra reps in the weight room, all of the early morning practices, and all the hard work spent the entire year makes it worth it.

Dad was the pitching coach, while Mom was the emotional supporter. Her unconditional love was great, and she wanted what was best for me. It was more about what she did than what she said, and she made sure I was the best I could be.

I try to not be too hard on myself regarding my diet. I've always been a workout-to-eat kind of a girl.

If I'm with my sons, I want to give them 100 percent. Whatever I am doing at that moment, I want to make the most of it.

It is one thing to play for your university. It is another to play for your country.

Try not to get lost in comparing yourself to others. Discover your gifts and let them shine! Softball is amazing that way as a sport. Everyone on the field has a slightly different ability that makes them perfect for their position.

Try not to get lost in comparing yourself to others. Discover your gifts and let them shine!