ONE ON ONE WITH AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC SOFTBALLER NATALIE TITCUME … “LIVE FROM ATHENS”

(pictured right...Titcume on the field during Monday's game against Chinese Taipei. Photo by Franco Bagattini)

Veteran Australian softballer Natalie Titcume, with a smile on her face after her team just won another game at the Olympic Softball competition here in Athens, gave the following answers to our questions this afternoon:

QUESTION: Two home runs so far in the tournament. How many more do you have in you?
NATALIE TITCUME: As many as anyone could hope. I am really just standing out there and watching my pitches … I’ve been lucky at the moment.

Q: They moved the outfield fences back. Should they push ‘em back a little more, what with how you’ve been able to crush the long ball?
NT: No. (laughs) I think it’s good for the game. It’s the thing that gets fans out to the field. They like to see home runs hit. … It’s good for the game.

Q: How do you like having so many Aussie supporters in the stands, 23 hours (travel time) away from your home country?
NT: Fantastic. We’ve got a lot of support here, a lot of family members, and it’s fantastic, and they’re very vocal, which is excellent. When we have to compete with teams like USA, and they’ve got a lot of support also, we’re glad we’ve got a lot of support.

Q: Have you gotten any e-mails or calls from anyone back in Australia saying they watched you play on TV?
NT: Yeah, I’ve had a few. I’m a P.E. teacher at Wesley College, so, I have a lot of my students e-mailing me saying, “I saw you on TV” and “you’re going really well” and “keep up the good work” and sending on best wishes to the team.

Q: With so many media here, how does it feel when you see a game photo of and/or a quote from yourself in the newspaper or on the internet?
NT: It doesn’t really bother me. I think it’s good for our sport in general just to get in the paper or on the news, so, it doesn’t matter whose name it is, I’m just happy to see it in the paper.

Q: If you had the opportunity to get over to watch just one other Olympic sport, which one would it be?
NT: Ummm, probably the artistic gymnastics. They’re fantastic, those little girls.

Q: If you had to go home today, what would be the highlight of your time this month in Athens?
NT: Probably our first game against Japan. Right now that’s probably been the highlight at the moment, but keep that highlight reel running ‘cause there’s going to be more to come.

Q: In light of you, Wardie, and Hodgskin, does a girl stand a better chance of making the Australian softball team if her name is Natalie? (interviewer smiles)
NT: (laughs) No, it’s just, we’re all the same age too, so I think it must’ve been one of those “in” names at the time with all our parents. I think it had something to do with Natalie Wood, the actress.

Q: When they hold the medal ceremonies for softball on Monday, where will the Australian team be?
NT: Standing on the podium. The top one, hopefully.

Q: Any message you’d like to send back to anyone who’s reading our website from Australia?
NT: Just to get in there and get behind us and support us, and know that we’re a genuine chance. I think that’s all, and the more they can watch softball the more they’ll understand how much passion we all have for it, and we’re playing for our country right now – ya’ can’t get anymore special than that.