It’s been a long, long wait for Team USA softball. After not being included in the last two Olympics, softball makes its triumphant, welcome return to sport’s biggest stage at the 2021 Tokyo Games.
While it’s been a touch of time away, Team USA hopes to proceed with its strength over the remainder of the globe in the game: With three gold awards and one silver, Team USA has arrived on the main two stages of the platform in each Olympic games during which softball has been played.
This go-round could demonstrate business as usual. While the U.S. is flaunting almost a totally new program, there are three names to watch out for: Haylie McCleney, Monica Abbott and Cat Osterman.
On the field, the U.S. will depend on McCleney’s bat to assist with fueling them through the competition. Off it, the group will depend on Abbott and Osterman to give a touch of veteran initiative, just like the lone two individuals in Team USA staying from that 2008 silver decoration group.
The women go for gold — and global domination — once again. Here’s how you can watch:
How to watch USA Olympic softball
- TV channel: NBC Sports
- Live streams: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, fuboTV
Most Team USA softball games will be broadcast on NBC Sports. You will also be able to stream games live on the NBC Sports app and Peacock.
Here’s when Team USA will take the diamond in the 2021 Olympics:
| Date | Matchup | TV channel | Start time (ET) | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, July 20 | Italy vs. USA | NBC Sports | 11 p.m. | TBD |
| Wednesday, July 21 | USA at Canada | NBC Sports | 8 p.m. | TBD |
| Saturday, July 24 | USA at Mexico | NBC Sports | 1:30 a.m. | TBD |
| Saturday, July 24 | Australia vs. USA | NBC Sports | 9 p.m. | TBD |
| Sunday, July 25 | Japan vs. USA | NBC Sports | 9 p.m. | TBD |
| Tuesday, July 27 | Bronze medal game | NBC Sports | Midnight | TBD |
| Tuesday, July 27 | Gold medal game | NBC Sports | 7 a.m. | TBD |
USA softball roster
Team USA returns just two players from the 2008 silver-medal winning squad: veterans Monica Abbott and Cat Osterman. Osterman is the only remaining member from the 2004 gold-medal winning squad in Athens.
Here’s the squad that will be taking the field in Tokyo.
| Player | Position | Olympic experience |
|---|---|---|
| Monica Abbott | Pitcher | 2008 (Silver) |
| Ali Aguilar | Infielder | N/A |
| Valerie Arioto | Infielder | N/A |
| Ally Carda | Pitcher/Infielder | N/A |
| Amanda Chidester | Catcher | N/A |
| Rachel Garcia | Pitcher/Infield | N/A |
| Haylie McCleney | Outfielder | N/A |
| Michelle Moultrie | Outfielder | N/A |
| Dejah Mulipola | Catcher | N/A |
| Aubree Munroe | Catcher | N/A |
| Bubba Nickles | Utility | N/A |
| Cat Osterman | Pitcher | 2004 (Gold), 2008 (Silver) |
| Janie Reed | Outfielder | N/A |
| Delaney Spaulding | Infielder | N/A |
| Kelsey Stewart | Utility | N/A |
How does the Olympic softball tournament work?
Qualifying
In all, there are six teams which qualified for the 2021 Olympics: Japan, the United States, Italy, Mexico, Canada and Australia. Here’s how they made it in:
— Japan was an auto-qualifier for being the host country.
— The United States won the 2018 Women’s Softball World Championship, earning a qualifying bid for the Olympics.
— At an Africa/Europe qualifying event in 2019, Italy won, allowing them a bid.
— At an Americas qualifying event in 2019, Canada and Mexico emerged, earning bids for the Olympics.
— In an Asia/Oceania qualifying tournament in 2019, Australia won, allowing them an appearance for the 2021 Olympics.
Tournament
The softball tournament is fairly simple: Each team will play each other in a single round-robin tournament for 15 games total.
The top two teams vying for the gold medal in the gold medal game on July 27. The bronze medal game between the third- and fourth-place teams precedes it on July 27.
Olympic softball schedule 2021.
