Michele Smith played college softball at Oklahoma State University from 1986-89, where she was a two-time All-American and set school records for strikeouts, shutouts, and wins. She helped the USA National Team win gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. She played professional softball in Japan, winning the MVP award eight times and helping win eight Japan Pro Softball League Championships. Smith also won two gold medals at the 1995 and 1999 Pan American Games. She was a three-time World Champion, winning in 1990, 1994, and 1998.
Smith became a color analyst on ESPN for softball starting in 1998. She is a member of the Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Hall of Fame, and the Shasta County, California Sports Hall of Fame.