Softball short-hops

My buddy Chris and I went and caught the USA game against Venezuela yesterday. The result was never really in doubt, as the Americans scored an Olympic-record 11 runs on their way to a shutout. With little in the way of the competition taking place on the field (imagine kids that still use pitching machines going up against MLB All-Stars, and you'll almost be able to grasp just how overmatched the Venezuelan team was), I had plenty of time to jot down some random thoughts and observations during the game.

• The ball is about the only thing that is bigger. This feels like a baseball version of bubble hockey. The outfielders are so shallow for the first two hitters. If either of them pops up a bunt, it could land over the left fielder's head.
• Jennie Finch (right) balled her right hand when she was clapping after the ceremonial first pitch. Is this because that's her pitching hand or because she's too busy holding the hearts of thousands of men in it? Neither would surprise me. Do you think Casey Daigle feels bad that he isn't even the best pitcher in his house?
• Softball players go all the way around the horn after outs. This inclusion continues after each half inning in the field, when they girls gather at the top step to give out high-fives and giggle and place bets on how fast they are going to get to 10 runs.
• In Olympic softball, the pitchers have to pitch within 20 seconds from when they get the ball back from the catcher. Good for fans with ADD, not for hitters who are trying to figure out how to hit Finch.
  
• After the first inning, I heard some awful bastardization of the Jackson 5's "I Want you Back." It still wasn't as bad as Lil' Romeo's "My Baby." You remember that song, right? Ah, you're lucky then.