A Chat with Softball Player Jodi Dolan – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/1/1998 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 1, 1998
COLUMBUS, Ohio–When Jodi Dolan came back to school in the fall, she came with the expectation that this would be her final year of softball. But in December, the Women’s Professional Fastpitch league decided to make her the fifth overall pick of the first round and just like that, everything changed.
The Ohio State Athletic Communications Office sat down and talked with Jodi about her future with life and softball.
OSUAC: How would you rate your season so far?
JD: This season has been a season of peaks and valleys. But it’s still to early for me to judge my season.
OSUAC: What has to happen for you to have a good final season?
JD: I definitely need to get more pitching in. That’s really the thing I’m not satisfied with right now. My hitting is starting to come around, I finally broke the (OSU all-time career home run) record, which definitely made me happy. And my defense has been some what consistent. So maybe the key to my season may be with my pitching. When I get the opportunities, I need to turn them into more positive outings and get the job done for my team.
OSUAC: Has the finality of your final season of college ball hit your yet?
JD: It has a few times. In Sacramento it did. I told my self a couple of times that it was the last time I was going to play here. But for the most part, I try not to think about “last times” because it is so depressing. So I have put it in the back of my head and I’m trying not to dwell on it.
OSUAC: How has your game changed over the past four years?
JD: I think my maturity level has changed a lot. Just because the other seniors and myself have gone through a lot these last four years. We’ve learned how to take things and how not to take things. We have grown together and learn to appreciate the things and opportunities we have. On the field, my composure on the mound has definitely changed for the better. I guess you can say I’ve grown with the game.
OSUAC: Are the expectations that come with being drafted a burden?
JD: When I was drafted, it kind of went through my head that more people would expect more things from me. So when the season started I tried not to think about it but I ended up pressing at bat and when I pitch. So I finally got to the point where I figured out I have to stay within myself because that is when I am at my best. My success has always come from being Jodi Dolan and not who everyone else expects me to be. I don’t know if people are expecting more or if that’s just something I am putting in my own head, but I’m trying to stay within myself and my abilities and not feel extra pressure at all.
OSUAC: What do things like the OSU home run record and leaving a legacy at Ohio State mean to you?
JD: It’s like the whole professional experience. None of it has sunk in yet and I’m not sure if it means anything to me now. But I know later down the road, when I look back on my career, It will be awesome to say I left a mark here. But for now, I’ll take things day by day and not think of statistics or records.
