‘I Dream in Gold’ Megan Sones Interviews Softball Rockstar Crystl Bustos

Jul 23, 2021

I Dream in Gold

Written By: Megan Sones of Chasing Kids in Heels

As we approach the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, to take place in 2021 due to COVID-19 postponement, it is the perfect time to get some insight on the life of three-time Team USA Softball Olympian, Crystl Bustos. Crystl played in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. She is a two time Olympic Gold Medalist, holds the Olympic home run record, and was named the 2008 Softball Player of the Year.
Crystl began her interest and involvement in athletics, specifically baseball, at the young age of 2.5 years. It was at that point that she embarked on a lifelong journey with sports-- playing baseball, then softball, both socially and professionally, and turning it into a successful business.
Although she was not much of a scholar in her younger years, Crystl was offered the opportunity to attend Palm Beach Community College in Florida and to continue to play softball during her tenure, which she accepted. While there, she earned a variety of different awards and honors for her strength on the field, including NJCAA Player of the Year and NJCAA first team All American.
Professionally, Crystl played for the Akron Racers from 1999-2006. Crystl notes that along with the ability to play the game, softball has also afforded her many opportunities. “I was able to play in college, play pro ball, travel the world and play for my country Team USA, earn three Olympic medals, and sign many contracts to endorse companies.” She continues to look forward to the endless possibilities that sports can provide, both from a player’s point of view, as well as in the role of coach.
Fittingly, in the earlier years of her career she capitalized on her knowledge of softball and her ability to help mold other players by holding camps and clinics under the company name Gotbustos. In 2013, Crystl began a new company, Ruthless Sports Training and Ruthless Softball with the ultimate goal of preparing female athletes to “play and compete softball at the collegiate level. This is done through a high level of on-going training and dedication by both the girls and the coaching staff.” However, Crystl has expanded her training beyond just the field and into the classroom, requiring all Ruthless Athletes to keep up their studies—“the average GPA of a High School Ruthless Athlete is 3.6.”
As with many athletes, especially those in team sports, Crystl learned many important life lessons through softball, including who to trust and who not to trust, as well has how business works. There are currently over 20 Ruthless Softball teams, playing under the team name, with Crystl and her staff’s guidance. Evidenced by the success of her softball career, and now, the success of Ruthless Softball, she has been able to apply those lessons and turn them into fruitful endeavors. The program aims to help teach life lessons to its participants such as how to “rise up and above any obstacles in life and on the field.”
When asked what has been the greatest challenge for her as a female in a male dominated industry, Crystl responded, “As a Latina in a male dominated world, it’s hard. But since day one, I’ve been doing what I do and pushing and breaking the wall one brick at a time. Our day will come. I’ve always had to do it with few people behind me—just me and my family. Now I have a Ruthless family and we will show the world that with hard work and support, anything is possible.”
Crystl Bustos is one of the most decorated softball athletes in the game. She has not allowed gender, ethnicity, or challenges stand in her way of accomplishing remarkable feats in the game and is setting an example for future generations of athletes to come.