The most recognisable face in softball history — two-time Olympic medallist whose strikes out of baseball's biggest stars (including Albert Pujols) demonstrated the elite quality of women's pitching and helped propel softball's global profile.
Jennie Finch was born in La Mirada, California in 1980. She was one of the most dominant and recognisable pitchers in softball history, winning Olympic gold at Athens 2004 and silver at Beijing 2008. She was a three-time All-American at Arizona and posted a 60-0 collegiate record from 2001 to 2002 — one of the most extraordinary win streaks in collegiate softball history. Her fastball — delivered from 43 feet — was measured as equivalent in reaction time to an 85mph pitch in baseball. She struck out several Major League Baseball players during a 2004 exhibition challenge that became one of softball's most covered media moments. She was the most commercially visible softball player of her generation and an essential figure in the growth of USA Softball's popularity.
Dominant softball pitcher who struck out MLB All-Stars
How They Played
Power pitcher with exceptional speed and precision
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest softball pitchers and ambassadors for women's softball
Olympic Gold 2004
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 2004
- Olympic Silver 2008
- USA Softball Player of the Year
- Struck out multiple MLB All-Stars