Since the 1940s, there were many attempts to get softball
into the Olympic Games, but it took about 50 years
before it eventually happened.
Softball was finally put on to the calendar
for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
It probably won't surprise you to learn the United States won.
They won again in 2000.
And again in 2004.
Heading to Beijing 2008
and armed with an All-American, Jennie Finch,
home run record holder Crystl Bustos
and strike-out queen Cat Osterman,
the mighty USA softball team was ready to defend its crown.
The Americans were undefeated in 22 Olympic matches
and were looking to extend that record.
Japan, who had previously won a bronze and silver,
were desperate to go one better.
In order to overcome the mighty United States,
they needed someone special, someone awesome.
Someone like Yukiko Ueno.
In 2004,
Ueno became the first softball player to pitch a perfect game
at the Olympic Games.
Seven innings - no hits, no walks.
Ueno was recognised as the fastest pitcher in the game,
throwing fastballs at a terrifying speed of 126kmph.
126kmph?
Hmm. What is that in miles per hour, do you think?
I think that's...
FAST!
Everyone feared Ueno, but Team USA did not dominate the sport
by accident. They had their own star -
the greatest slugger in the history of women's softball.
Meet Crystl Bustos.
The Californian big hitter held the record
for the most home runs in Olympic history.
The proud winner of two Olympic gold medals,
Bustos had reserved a place on her ample arm
to mark a third consecutive victory.
Look how fierce she is.
Yeah, she reminds me of yo-...
Oh, erm, never mind.
The 2008 gold medal match -
the final final. Japan versus the United States.
The decision to end softball's status
as an Olympic sport gave extra meaning to the contest.
The game began with a two-inning stalemate.
No score on the board.
Japan finally got on the scoreboard
when Masumi Mishina just made it
to home plate.
In the fourth inning,
Eri Yamada doubled the advantage with a home run...
..which sprung Crystl Bustos into action.
She did her thing.
Boom! And Team USA were back in it.
In the bottom of the sixth, the US had a massive opportunity
to run up the score, with bases loaded.
The pressure was on Super Ueno.
A home run would put the Americans 5-2 ahead.
Not on Ueno's watch.
The pendulum swung in the other direction.
Megu Hirose made home plate, putting Japan ahead 3-1.
Back to Ueno. If she could shut out the Americans
in the final inning, the gold was finally Japan's.
Three outs were all that was required.
One.
Two.
One more out to go.
Got her!
In this clash of titans, Japan had inflicted a first,
and final, victory over the United States.
The queens of softball were dethroned.
Softball disappeared from the schedule after 2008.
Japan still reign supreme.
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