USSSA Pride's Cat Osterman to Retire
April 17, 2013 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
USSSA Pride News Release
Nashville, Tenn. - Cat Osterman, the standout left-handed pitcher for the Florida USSSA Pride, has announced plans to retire from National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) following the 2013 season. Considered one of the most popular and decorated fastpitch softball players of all-time, Osterman is a two-time Olympian and the only three-time national college player of the year.
After six seasons with the NPF, Osterman announced her retirement plans Tuesday, her 30th birthday.
"It was a hard decision for me to decide to hang up my cleats after this season, but in my heart, I know it's the right one," Osterman said. "I've enjoyed a great run, both with the National team and the NPF and I look forward to watching the next generation of players continue to help the NPF grow. I can't say enough about the opportunity the NPF has given all of us and I'm proud to have been part of both the Rockford Thunder and the USSSA Pride, as well as the NPF."
Osterman joined the NPF in 2007 as a pitcher for the Rockford Thunder and later moved to the USSSA Pride in 2010. Osterman won back-to-back NPF Championships in 2009 and 2010 and was named NPF's most valuable player for the 2009 season.
In her 2011 season, Osterman broke the team strikeout record and led the league with 156 strikeouts. She also led the league in wins with her 14-2 regular season record. Osterman was named to the Combat All NPF Team for the 2012 season, in which she achieved 134 strikeouts and a 0.71 ERA.
"Not only is Cat the best pitcher in the world, she is a consummate professional and incredible team player who is always supporting the league and her teammates," said Don DeDonatis, General Manager of the USSSA Florida Pride. "The impact Cat has had on USSSA fastpitch, the Pride, and the NPF is immeasurable."
In addition to her professional career, Osterman played on the USA National Team, where she won an Olympic Gold Medal in 2004 and an Olympic Silver Medal in 2008. She also helped the team win three World Cup Championships in 2006, 2007 and 2010.
Osterman spent her collegiate career at the University of Texas, where she led the team to three Women's College World Series appearances. During her tenure at Texas, she set the NCAA strikeout record and strikeout ratio record and has the second most shutouts of all time with 85.
"The success of the NPF is due in large part to our ability to attract top-tier talent, such as Cat Osterman," said NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf. "Cat has had a profound impact on our sport and has elevated the prominence of our League. Professional softball won't be the same without her."
• Discuss this story on the National Pro Fastpitch message board...
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from April 17, 2013
- USSSA Pride's Cat Osterman to Retire - USSSA Pride
- National Pro Fastpitch Welcomes Hang Rite Athletics as Official Supplier - NPF
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
