What are you most looking forward to on the Team USA Tour?

I think the cool thing about tour this time is going to be seeing the different generations that are there because we were out of the Olympics for 12 years. So it's women who were maybe high school and college-age the last time around. Now some of them have kids so they're excited because they get to watch the Olympics again but they also get to share it with their sons or daughters. So that transcending generations element is pretty cool.

What's one thing the entire team has in common?

We all just really like to have fun. No matter what we're doing, they make being on the field fun. I think I smiled more last year playing than I had probably all my years combined prior to that. But in everything we do, there's a fun element to it.

Best tips from a coach?

When Coach Eriksen was our Olympic pitching coach in the first quad of 2004, he told me, “You’re going to be better tomorrow for the work you put in today.” Usually, that comes after a bad day because you always get frustrated - but you’re still going to be better tomorrow, even though today wasn’t a great day. Along the same lines, when I was younger I used get really frustrated on not-so-good days. Our coaches would remind me, “The sun still comes up tomorrow.” I use that a lot in coaching because it puts the bigger picture into perspective.

What's your go-to walk-up song?

My most recent one and one I stick with is ‘Enter Sandman’. It's got that rock vibe, that darkness.

What advice would you give young players?

Go all-in if it’s something you really want to do or if it’s a dream you feel really passionate about. The sacrifices are worth it. You don’t remember later on while you’re standing on a podium or competing in the Olympics about the birthday party you skipped when you were 14. The sacrifices are worth it.

Best tips from a coach?

When Coach Eriksen was our Olympic pitching coach in the first quad of 2004, he told me, “You’re going to be better tomorrow for the work you put in today.” Usually, that comes after a bad day because you always get frustrated - but you’re still going to be better tomorrow, even though today wasn’t a great day.

Do you remember where you were when you found out softball was back in the Olympics?

I had actually been asked to be in the coaching pool and I put my name in and. But there was just really no part of me that wanted to be a coach for the team. And then when you get asked why not, you have to dig deeper. In my heart I knew I could still throw. And Monica had been bugging me for a while to come out of retirement and play in 2020. So finally when I thought about it, I said “OK I think I don't want to coach because I know I can still play.