Maria Soto

Q&A WITH 2008 OLYMPIC SOFTBALLER
2008-07-28

With the first pitch at the 2008 Olympic Softball competition now just over two weeks away, we spotlight another athlete that will take place in the August 12-21 tournament in Beijing. Today’s installment is a Q&A that was done with Venezuelan infielder Maria Soto.

Question) During the ISF XI World Championship in 2006 you had a chance to try out the Fengtai Softball Venue. How did you like the facility?

Maria Soto) We did play there during the World Championship and I enjoyed the games. It was great because the facility is really nice and inspires everybody to give a good performance. You are inspired as it gives you that special feeling just to be on the field and being able to play in the whole facility.

Q) This marks your first Olympic Games, and if softball is not reinstated in the 2016 Olympic Programme they could be your last. How do you feel about the fact that you could be in your last Olympics?
MS) First of all, I am really excited because it is my very first Olympic Games – just being part of it makes me very happy.

But the fact that it could be the last Olympics for the sport of softball…it makes me really sad. Because it is not only to make it to the Olympics but to prove that we can compete for many years to come at upcoming Olympics. I am really pleased and excited about the Back Softball campaign – it is what we really need to convince anybody that does not believe in softball, and it will strengthen everybody that does believe in the sport. (My) Thanks to the Back Softball members to work and fight for the sport we all love.

Q) If you could reach out to the world’s press how would you encourage them to cover softball?
MS) If I could reach out to the world’s press, I (would) tell them that softball has awakened so many young girls around the planet to dream and to have interest in a women’s sport especially in softball.

So the power that the world’s press has could really save the sport and save the dream and lifestyles of many girls. So I (would) ask them to go out and watch how the sport is played by the youth at a young age and the importance that it will make to be able to watch and know more about the game on TV, in the newspapers, and also on radio stations around the world. They have the option to let it die or to make it grow globally. Let them follow the sport not only in the United States but around the world.

Q) If you could speak to the IOC Members, what would be your message to inspire them to support softball?
MS) My message (would) be that women have to fight all their lives to be recognized in sport and especially in softball. So give the opportunity to every young girl that is dreaming about being a professional athlete and give them the chance to develop themselves as a person, as a professional, and as high level athletes. IOC members know that they have the power to give every woman in this world the opportunity to develop their skills in any sport they choose; in our case we are asking them to fight for softball, so please support us.

Q) How valuable do you think softball would be on the Youth Olympic Games programme?
MS) It would be a great start for young girls that already have the skills to be competing in a high level that will give them the feeling of what it could be like to be playing softball in the Olympics. For any athlete looking at any major competition it will give them more excitement to keep working and reach the top of the world in their sport. So this could be the opening of the door for many great things for the sport of softball.

Q) How has softball changed your life?
MS) No doubt about it, softball has been the part of my life that has allowed me to grow most as a person, an athlete, and as a professional. Softball gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of people, different cultures, and the chance to develop the sport in my country. Everywhere we go people and young girls look up to what we do. So it has been a blessing that this sport lets you reach out to so many people.

Q) Do you feel you have seen a big increase in the competition level in recent times when playing some of the other countries’ national teams?
MS) Of course, if you do not believe me look at team Venezuela. Teams all over the world have taken the time to really develop themselves. With every game, every year that you go and play internationally, you can watch how the teams are really taking the sport of softball seriously. I am so glad this is happening because our sport has a lot of room for growth around the world and that is another reason why softball needs to get back in 2016. It helps the competition level.

Q) You have been studying in the United States. How has this enhanced your game – have you been doing some special training classes?
MS) Yes, I went to the University of Mobile, Alabama. It was one of the best things that happened in my life. This gave me the opportunity to develop my skills and to get to be who I am now. The level that softball is played in the United States gives you every means to be a great athlete. So I have to thank every coach that believed in what I can do and helped me.