ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (10:28 AM)

Women's softball is next up with Texas ace Cat Osterman! She'll be here at 1:30 ET! Send your questions now! Remember, ESPNU is available on DirecTV Channel 609, or you can call your cable operator and tell them you want ESPNU on your local system.

Cat Osterman

  (1:32 PM)

I'm here and ready to go!

Willis, TX

after ur recent experience on the olympic team how much has that made u grow as a pitcher

Cat Osterman

  (1:33 PM)

The Olympic experience was once in a lifetime. It really helped with my confidence. It exudes to the rest of the team and I hope they pick up on it.

Austin, TX

Cat your so cute, I would love to take you out. Do you have a boyfriend?

Cat Osterman

  (1:33 PM)

No, I'm currently single and exploring options!

Katherine Johnson Houston, Texas

Hey Cat what do you like to do when you are not playing softball?

Cat Osterman

  (1:34 PM)

When I'm not playing it's usually hanging out in my apartment or my teammates apartments. We just watch TV and cook! We like to lay out and get rid of softball tan lines.

bill collegestation, tx

who is your biggest competition in tx and why?

Cat Osterman

  (1:35 PM)

I think it is AandM and Baylor. Both are putting up great wins this year.

Matthew (Austin,TX)

Hey Cat, I must say you and the other Horns have done a great job to start the season. As student-athletes, how do you manage your time so well with all the travel and practice? And on a completely non-sports related note, is there time for a date???

Cat Osterman

  (1:36 PM)

Very carefully! A lot of time on the plane is spent reading and studying. I'm usually studying while I'm laying out! But we also go to study hall at night a lot.

Pat Haney S.C.

Have you seen Man Of The House, the Texas movie yet?

Cat Osterman

  (1:36 PM)

I have not seen it yet. They filmed it last year while I was away. I hope they don't stereotype us too bad.

DEE (TEXAS)

Was it hard adjusting from being the Olympic Gold Medalist back to being a college student?

Cat Osterman

  (1:37 PM)

Yeah, it was harder than I thought it would be. My original thought was I would just jump right back into the groove but it took some time. Going to class and doing schoolwork was tough. I got behind a bit but it is better now.

Adam, FL

In a recent double header against UT-Arlington your team gave you just one run of support and then nine in the second game. What's up with that??

Cat Osterman

  (1:38 PM)

I don't know! I don't hit so I can't help myself out. I seem to have a curse than I get all the 1 run games. I'm used to it. Hopefully our offense will pick up.

Jason

You've played all over the US and Canada, where's you favorite place to play/visit?

Cat Osterman

  (1:38 PM)

I think my favorite was Hawaii. Just because we had some down time and got to enjoy it. College wise I like Palm Springs. That's a great tourmament with great weather.

Chris, TX

Hey Cat, all great pitchers have a nickname like "The Rocket" or "The Big Unit" do you have a nickname?

Cat Osterman

  (1:39 PM)

No. Our trainer has jokingly named me Legend. But I don't think that would stick. I think they called Ricky Williams that. Cat is easy to say and recognize.

Jeff

Will you be participating in the Texas softball camp this year?

Cat Osterman

  (1:40 PM)

It depends on my summer schedule.

Jeffrey Wooden

What was the worst part of being on the US Olympic Team?

Cat Osterman

  (1:40 PM)

The only negative was watching our program struggle while I was gone and being helpless to do anything about it. I enjoyed the travel, the girls, all of it.

luling,tx

Why did you pick the number 8?

Cat Osterman

  (1:41 PM)

When I was in high school I was on a travel team and that was the only jersey they had. I did well and just stuck with it.

Bad boy (columbus)

Do you think that your team can compete against UCLA?

Cat Osterman

  (1:42 PM)

I think we proved it last week. I pitched one of my best games against them. Mentally I am ready to go any day.

Matt (Stoneham)

Will anything beat winning the Gold in the Olympics?

Cat Osterman

  (1:43 PM)

I don't think anything will ever beat that. A lot of things could compliment it .. like a national championship. I take so much pride in my gold medal.

Dave (Vienna, VA)

Wil Texas ever beat OU in Football?

Cat Osterman

  (1:43 PM)

I couldn't tell you! I hope so! It's been awhile. We haven't done it since I've been here! This year was a better game though.

Lisa (Boston)

cat...you guys have been on a roll lately, with three straight shutout victories...what is the secret of your pitching success?

Cat Osterman

  (1:44 PM)

I just think any time I go out I am ready to dominate. I've been pitching well all year and our team is in a mindset to do the best we can and not push it too much.

Daniel ((Wichita))

Ever head over to Barton Springs in Austin? What's your favorite Mexican food joint in town?

Cat Osterman

  (1:45 PM)

There are so many! I go to Serrano's a lot.

Jason (Waukegan, IL)

If you didn't go to Texas where would you be playing?

Cat Osterman

  (1:45 PM)

I looked at a lot of schools and Stanford was my No. 2. So probably there.

Tommy (Houston, Tx)

Is anything less than a national championship this year a dissappointment in your eyes?

Cat Osterman

  (1:46 PM)

I think it depends on how the season plays out. A lot goes into it. I can only do so much. Personally, no, the season won't be a disappointment if we don't win it all. But that is our goal.

Dave (Vienna, VA)

Does it bother you and Jennie that people may overlook your softball talents because of your beauty?

Cat Osterman

  (1:47 PM)

No. I don't think so. I don't get that as much but it's flattering you say that! I think I can speak for her in that it is good for our sport and draws attention to it. There is a stereotype we have been trying to get rid of and we are.

Leslie

Why do you wear an elbow brace?

Cat Osterman

  (1:48 PM)

My elbow was bruised when I was younger. It's just really sensitive. It's a thin brace but thick enough to not allow it to bruise as much.

william

hey cat, what is favorite food?

Cat Osterman

  (1:48 PM)

Junk food is Oreos. My favorite type of food is Italian.

Heather (Bristol U)

How fast have your pitches been clocked at?

Cat Osterman

  (1:49 PM)

The fastest ever is 68. But I'm usually between 62-64.

Scott (San Antonio, TX)

If you weren't playing softball, what would you be doing?

Cat Osterman

  (1:49 PM)

Probably basketball. That was my next love. But I love softball.

Jim Houston, Tx

Cat, have you had a chance to meet Roger Clemens since he joined the Astros?

Cat Osterman

  (1:49 PM)

Not yet. I really want to though. I was supposed to go to halftime of a Texans game and he was there but I couldn't go.

Jim (Michigan State)

What is your out pitch?

Cat Osterman

  (1:50 PM)

I don't think I can give that out over the internet! That is classified!

Matt (Stoneham)

Who is your favorite MLB team and why?

Cat Osterman

  (1:50 PM)

The Astros are my favorite just because I have followed them forever. I used to schedule my life around their games.

Mike (Redlands)

Is everything really bigger in Texas?

Cat Osterman

  (1:51 PM)

I don't know if everything is bigger .. it seems to be proportionate. But our state is huge! To get from Houston to El Paso is a long ways.

john (texas jourdanton

How about the baseball team's 15-0? Do you talk to any of the players?

Cat Osterman

  (1:52 PM)

I'm friends with several of the guys. We got to watch them close out the sweep of Stanford. They are a great group of guys and enjoy following them, like they do us.

Tommy (Houston, Tx)

Which game will you pitching this weekend against Evansville?

Cat Osterman

  (1:52 PM)

I think as of right now I'm slated to start tonight.

kristian (san jose)

Who is your favorite softball player to watch?

Cat Osterman

  (1:53 PM)

My favorite player is Michele Smith ... She is retired now but I really looked up to her and got to work with her some. It was an honor to learn from her.

Dan (Kinnelon,NJ)

How do you prepare before every game?

DC Horn

Who is the one person you admire the most

Cat Osterman

  (1:54 PM)

I pretty much just hang out in my apartment. I make a new CD mix every couple weeks for the drive to the stadium. Once I get there, I suit up and we play hackey sack before the game. We just like to have fun. I'm not like some pitchers you can't talk to.

Jonathan (Austin, TX)

did you meet anybody famous at the olympics?

Cat Osterman

  (1:55 PM)

We got to meet Venus Williams and Andy Roddick. It amazed me how short the male gymnasts were!

Jason

If you were in the title game at the World Series is there a particular team you'd like to face?

Cat Osterman

  (1:56 PM)

Anybody would do! Cal, UCLA or Arizona would be nice.

Dan (Kinnelon,NJ)

Was it nerve racking playing in your first olympic game?

Cat Osterman

  (1:57 PM)

Very nervous. I tried to convince myself it was just another game but that didn't happen. My first appearance was two batters against Italy and I was shaking. After my first pitch I calmed down.

Tara (Albany)

Cat, do you ever get bruises on your thigh from hitting your leg on your release. I'm a pitcher, too and I do!!! You're the best! Thanks for the inspiration!

Cat Osterman

  (1:57 PM)

I don't. Technically you should release a little earlier than that.

Lindsay (New Hampshire)

What's on your latest CD mix??

Cat Osterman

  (1:58 PM)

I just started it today .. Unwritten Law song called Save Me .. some are old school and some new ... my pitching song is by the Ying Yang Twins!

Jonathan (Lockhart, TX)

Are you going to play in the 2008 Olympic games?

Cat Osterman

  (1:59 PM)

Yes. That is the plan, barring injury. I'm looking forward to Bejing.

Giles Dallas Texas

What kind of advise did Jennie Finch give you if any?

Cat Osterman

  (1:59 PM)

We pretty much were on the same level in that atmosphere. We didn't give each other advice. We have a great friendship though. I got more advice from Lisa because she has been there and done that so much.

Mary

Cat, do you think they should move the mound back to, say 46 feet to up offense in college softball?

Cat Osterman

  (2:01 PM)

No. I don't think so at all. They moved it back awhile ago. Going to 46 would limit how many pitchers would be successful at all. I think it would almost be ridiculous how much offense you would have.Thanks for the questions! Keep following Texas softball. Come early, cheer loud and wear Orange!