Fresno State Athletics
Former Olympian Michele Smith Talks Laura Berg
8/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Aug. 1, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - Two-time Olympic gold medalist Michele Smith won't be playing in the 2008 Beijing games but rather broadcasting the game for NBC from Manhattan, N.Y. Smith has played professional softball in Japan for the last 14 years and has been the main commentator for softball on ESPN and the Women's College World Series.
Not many people know this year's National Team or former Fresno State All-American Laura Berg better than Smith. Berg and Smith won gold together in the 1996 and 2000 games and also played together in the World Championships.
"Having played with her for quite a while and from a pitchers standpoint she was an impact player," said Smith. "When I was on the mound and knowing she was behind me was reassuring. If anything was catchable she would get it."
Softball became an Olympic sport in 1996 in which Berg and Smith both played a large part in Team USA's dominating run to a gold medal. Smith was 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in the those Olympics while Berg scored the first run of the gold medal game.
"I think the rest of the world has gotten better," added Smith. "They (other countries) weren't ready in 1996 but the rest of the world has been playing the game for six years so they have caught up to the United States."
The two went on to win gold with Team USA in 2000 before Smith retired right before the 2004 Athens Games to continue to play professionally overseas.
In the 2000 Olympics, Berg sealed the gold medal for the U.S. with the game-winning hit. She then had a perfect fielding percentage in the 2004 games on her way to her third gold medal.
"Laura made some of the best catches I have ever seen in the outfield," said Smith. "That's the thing with Laura, she might not have been the fastest player on the team but she got the quickest jump on the ball. It's almost like she had a crystal ball to see where the ball would be hit before it actually was."
Berg will be the only four-time softball Olympian for the United States in Beijing. Lisa Fernandez, who many expected to all be a four-time Olympian, toured with the team in the spring but will not be with the team in China.
"A lot of people thought Lisa would be a four-time Olympian, but Laura was always the team player and she will be the only four-time Olympian in the history of USA softball," added Smith. "That just shows the type of person and athlete that she is. It was never for show for her it was about her team, USA, red white and blue and that's what personifies Laura Berg."
When talking about what to expect from the 2008 team in Beijing, Smith said that it won't be easy this year as all eight teams will be gunning for gold since this is the final year for softball in the Olympics.
"I know the team inside and out I think they are well prepared," Smith said. "Even if Laura is not a regular starting member, her role on the sidelines will be as important as if she was on the field. I think they will be more challenged this year but Laura's leadership will help guide the team to the top. Laura might be the veteran but she is still the prankster on the team. She has the ability to keep things light and knows when to turn that switch and be serious. That's another great quality for her that will help her lead this team to greatness."
"Join the State- Fresno State!" - For information on the 2008 Beijing Olympic softball tournament log on to www.gobulldogs.com.
