DON’T BELIEVE IT

 You knew it would happen quickly. Not moments after Japan upset the
United States 3-1 in softball for gold on Thursday night, the ridiculous
crusade about parity being rampant in the international game began.

    "People should get off our back," U.S. coach Mike Candrea said. "I’ve
been around long enough to expect everyone we play will be getting better."

    It’s sort of relative, no?

    The U.S. outscored its Olympic opponents 57-2 before Thursday. One of
the eight teams to qualify (the Netherlands) was outscored 48-8.

    Japan deserved to win, but there remains just three teams (the gold
medal winner, Australia and Canada) who really ever challenge the
Americans. If the game is to be reinstated for the 2016 Games, it will be
for reasons other than parity. Like a need for more women’s sports.

    But know this: The world hasn’t caught up as much as this final score
will cause some to believe.

    One last softball item: The Americans put the lead runner on in the
sixth and down a run when Candrea chose to sacrifice. Japan then
intentionally walked U.S. power hitter Crystal Bustos, a move Candrea said
he had anticipated beforehand.

    Question: If you knew they were going to walk her, why give up the
previous out?