After being dropped from the Olympic lineup [1] following the 2008 Games in Beijing, softball is set to return to the world's biggest stage [2] this Summer in Tokyo — and Team USA is once again in the hunt for gold [3]. Twelve years ago, when softball was last played at the Olympics, the American women suffered a 3-1 loss to longtime rival Japan in the gold medal final. It was the first time the team had to settle for silver. They'll look to reclaim the podium this Summer, and they're well equipped to do just that. The majority of the players on the roster were on the 2018 World Championship team that beat Japan 7-6, at the same time qualifying for the 2020 Games.
Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that softball will be on the Olympic schedule in 2024 and beyond — even more reason to cheer on Team USA now as they attempt to take home the gold. Keep reading to learn more about these incredible athletes!
Monica Abbott
Position: pitcher
Number: 14
Hometown: Salinas, CA
Ali Aguilar
Position: infield
Number: 2
Hometown: Orangevale, CA
Valerie Arioto
Position: infield
Number: 20
Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Ally Carda
Position: pitcher/infield
Number: 3
Hometown: Elk Grove, CA
Amanda Chidester
Position: catcher
Number: 19
Hometown: Allen Park, MI
Rachel Garcia
Position: pitcher/infield
Number: 21
Hometown: Palmdale, CA
Haylie McCleney
Position: outfield
Number: 8
Hometown: Morris, AL
Michelle Moultrie
Position: outfield
Number: 16
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Dejah Mulipola
Position: catcher
Number: 34
Hometown: Garden Grove, CA
Aubree Munro
Position: catcher
Number: 1
Hometown: Brea, CA
Madi "Bubba" Nickles (right)
Position: utility
Number: 48
Hometown: Merced, CA
Cat Osterman
Position: pitcher
Number: 38
Hometown: Houston, TX
Janie Reed
Position: outfield
Number: 9
Hometown: Placentia, CA
Delaney Spaulding
Position: infield
Number: 99
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Kelsey Stewart
Position: utility
Number: 7
Hometown: Wichita, KS
Taylor Edwards
Position: catcher
Number: 12
Hometown: Murrieta, CA
Hannah Flippen
Position: infield
Number: 37
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Keilani Ricketts
Position: pitcher
Number: 10
Hometown: San Jose, CA