For Berthiaume & Benson, those were the days
By Bob Otto/Yucaipa, CA

December 26, 2000

As the clock spins back in time fond memories resurface and spring to life. It's 1997 and for Judd Berthiaume and Reid Benson those were the days, the best of times for two young softball players eager to challenge the world.

A teenage time just for hitting and pitching; running and throwing, with hardly a care in the world, except for one: making the cut and earning a spot on the USA fastpitch softball Junior Men's national team.

But through it all Berthiaume and Benson survived, but says Berthiaume, there were some "anxious moments."

"Fighting for a spot on the National Team isn't something that you can do without a few butterflies," said Berthiaume. "But (realizing) just being selected for tryouts is an honor made it easier to put the nervousness aside and do the best you possibly could...and the coaches kept everyone 'sane' for what may have been the biggest honor of our lives."

Tryouts, national team practices, the World Championship in Newfoundland, Canada; and new friendships created lasting memories for Benson and Berthiaume.
 
Berthiaume says that striking out the final batter with the bases loaded to beat the eventual champions, Australia 4-3, is his fondest memory. "It was an unbelievable feeling," says Berthiaume. "The U.S. fans had been on pins and needles the whole game and then they erupted for our team when we won."

But to experience the elation and pride in representing the U.S., they say this crop of prospects must be prepared when they report for selection camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California.  Benson says that you can't let anything bother you. The talent surrounding him was impressive but any thoughts of inadequacy had to be thrust aside.

"There are many players as good or better than you at tryouts but you can't let that bother you," said Benson. "You have to play to the best of your ability and block out the rest."

"The most mentally challenging part of tryouts is shaking off a bad outing, a bad at bat, an error, a pitching mistake," says Berthiaume. "You have to keep in mind that you are there because you are considered one of the top players in the country; however, you are playing against the best players in the country. There is a lot of competition."

Both veterans say that excuses don't cut it with the coaches. That coming into camp in shape and game ready is a must. "That the weather is thirty below back home isn't an excuse that will get you very far," says Berthiaume.
"You have to find a way to get in the gym and hit and throw. Once you get to tryouts it's too late to work on your bunting or change up. It's too late to get yourself in shape. "

They both say that the coaching and training in Chula Vista will be an eye opener.  "It will be a course titled 'Softball 101'," says Berthiaume. Leave your ego at home says Benson. "You can't just do what you want to do or do what you are used to. The players trying out for the team better be ready to listen to the coaches and do what they ask."

The World Championship experience of 1997 has given both men new focus, higher goals to shoot for.  "The World Championship changed my goals to a simple one," says Berthiaume. "To get back there again. Whether it be in a World Championship, the Pan Am games or the Olympics, that is definitely my goal. And I'm sure that it's a goal for most, if not all of the members of the 1997 team to play for the USA Men's national team."

For Benson his greatest reward came from the friendships he made. He says he is grateful for having gotten to know great softball people such as the late Bob Welby.

Since 1997 Benson, now 21, and Berthiaume,20, have climbed to a higher level. Both play for the Munger Bulldogs of Munger, Michigan (ISC World Tournament team). And Berthiaume, from Roseville, Minnesota, also splits time with the Rice Street Merchants of St. Paul and Richards Woods Products of Geneva.

Fastpitch softball has shined brightly on them and Berthiaume concedes that the sport has given him more than he dreamed possible.

"The rewards are endless," says Berthiaume. "Getting to travel and compete on a world-class level every summer is something you can't get in any other sport. Getting to play against teams like the Decatur (Pride) is about as fun as it gets."

Final advice for the 2001 hopefuls? "Perform at your best and things will fall into place," says Berthiaume. "Remember that you are playing softball, something you love to do and the nerves will go away," adds Benson.

And when the present fades into a distant memory the USA Junior Men of 2001 will fondly recall that those were the days.