Jennie Finch

Jennie Finch was born on September 3, 1980, in La Mirada, California. She was born to Doug and Beverly Finch. Jennie’s family was very supportive. Her mother, father, and sister were always there when she needed them and they supported her softball career. Jennie said in her book, “When I was younger I felt pressure, but I also knew that I had my parents' full support, and that was what is important” (Finch 21). During her softball career, she had her son, Ace. Her mother and father were there to help her during that time, and that was when she knew she could count on them. In the beginning of her book, she dedicated it to her parents, she said, “To my parents, Doug and Beverly, who have always supported me and encouraged me to dream big and believe in myself” (Finch 1). Jennie, in high school, played many sports. One of those sports was basketball. All of the students and her friends told her not to play, but she did and she proved them wrong by being the best player on her team. Also during school she played softball. Jennie made the Olympic softball team, and for two years straight she won! This was a very big accomplishment for her, and her family was very proud of it.

During her career, she had her son Ace. Now, most women have kids, but when Ace was two to three years old, he was traveling around the world with his mother, watching her play softball in the Olympics and on her pro league team. This was very hard and her parents had to help her out when she needed it. Another big moment in her adulthood was when she retired from softball. She needed to take a break and watch her son grow up. She also has another on the way, so she wants to take it easy and not be going to practice after practice after practice. But she still does camps around the world, telling girls to reach for the stars and pursue their dreams. One obstacle Jennie had to overcome was not being with her husband a lot. Because she played on the Olympic team, she was away from home most of the time. Jennie was in different countries and not even close to home. This was very hard for her, but at the end, she knew what came first family.

Jennie had a talent for pitching. At a young age she started playing softball. She didn't want to pitch, until her father told her that she should pitch. After that she was pitching so fast that you wouldn't see the ball coming. She is now the fastest pitcher in the world with a speed of 70 miles an hour, which is really fast. Jennie Finch is a hero because she showed people it does not matter if you are a girl or boy, if you dream big, you can do it! Jennie wanted to be in the Olympics and look where she is now! There is no limit to what you can become, and for Jennie Finch, there is not even a line. In the beginning of her book, she also dedicated the book to all girls. She said, “And to all the girls who are true inspiration for this book.” This showed that she cared and she wants girls to follow their dreams and reach for the stars. That is a true hero. Since Jennie was a little girl, she was dreaming of the Olympics, so this was a big moment for her and she would not pass it up. Even though she was scared, she persevered. This showed that she was not ready to give up on herself. One important highlight in Jennie’s career was when she made the Olympic team. I know I have said this before, but at this time, it was a very big moment for her and she was going to do the best that she could. She went to practice and practice and practice, and didn't stop until she was ready. Even though this was her dream, she also had to focus on her baby boy Ace, and that was a big commitment. Jennie Finch is still alive and now is doing softball camps all around the world. She is touching kids' lives during these camps, but she is spending time with family as well. Even though she is retired, she is telling kids to keep going and reach for the stars. Her camps are so much fun and help you work on improving your skills. I wish I could go to her camp and be taught by her!

Picture of Jennie playing softball.en.wikipedia.org