One of the biggest surprises occuring on the Bound 4 Beijing Tour came today as USA Softball Head Coach Mike Candrea announced that Lisa Fernandez was not going to be part of the 2008 USA Women's Softball Team.

The 37-year-old Fernandez who was once the catalyst of this USA team that has just destroyed almost every team that has come in front of them was named a replacement player on the American team, which will attempt to win its fourth straight gold medal this summer. Fernandez was on the mound when the U.S. team won gold in Athens, completing a historic run through the tournament in which the Americans outscored the competition 51-1.

Some of the the players seemed shocked about the announcement by Candrea considering that Fernandez has pitched well during the first part of the Bound 4 Beijing Tour that has placed them against some of the top college programs.

"It's like Michael Jordan getting cut from the basketball team," said catcher Stacey Nuveman.

Nuveman who has caught Fernandez in previous Olympic contests says it was a tough choice for Candrea who has opted for the youth movement so far with this team in Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman and Monica Abbott as his three pitchers.

Fernandez seemed a bit shocked with the decision, but seemed to take it like the winner she has proven to be with this program.

"I have no regrets," Fernandez said. "I know I gave it everything I had. There wasn't a corner cut or a practice missed. I just ran out of time. To me, the most important thing is that I know I gave it everything I had. But there were certain things I couldn't control."