Dot began her softball career in 1972 playing for the Union Park Jets in Orlando. Richardson played for Western Illinois, before transferring to UCLA, where she played for the UCLA Bruins from 1980 to 1984. While there she helped the Bruins win their first NCAA championship in 1982. After college Dot played professionally, starting her career in Orlando with the Florida Rebels. She then joined the Raybestos Brakettes of Stratford, Connecticut in 1984, where she remained until 1994. She ended her professional career with the California Commotion of Woodland Hills, California. Richardson was a key part of the United States national team that won the
gold medal during the sport's
Olympic debut in
1996 hitting the home run that won the game. She was also part of the 2000 gold medal-winning team in Sydney. She is the head softball coach at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Virginia. Richardson now serves as a board chair for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Softball Ministry, where her husband Bob Pinto is the national director. ==Coaching career==