Tri County Sticks

When I was 13 I joined a traveling softball team. This was the first traveling team I had ever been on. The team was made up of about 12 girls from three different counties: Nelson County, Larue County, and Hardin County. From Nelson County there were five of us, myself and four others that went to the other high school in town. I had mixed emotions before joining this team and wasn't sure if it was really what I wanted to do. After the first few practices and everyone got to know each other, I knew I had made the right decision. The team travled all over the state to many different parks.
We created the name Tri County Sticks since we were from three different counties and referred to ourselves as this for the rest of the season. Growing up I had been a rather shy girl and didnt open up to others easily. This team made me realize that I can be myself around anyone I meet. The friendships I made with the girls still contine today. Many memories and adventures took place and made me learn alot about softball as well as interacting with new people. I added a new army of friends to my life.
The Tri County Sticks went on to have a better season than any of us had expected. We worked together more than any other team I've been on and I had a blast while doing it. My skills improved significantly and I believe I learned a lot from having a different coach other than my dad. This is one of the few teams I was on that my dad wasnt the head coach or even assistant. No matter the coach, the players, or the loacation, softball is my life and I learn more and more with each game and practice. Traveling softball was a fun experience and will always make me want to go back in time and do it all over again!

Army of Friends

The high school I went to was so small that I was the only senior that played on the team my last year. My team was rather small and many of the players were very young. Myself being a senior, took turns pitching each game with a freshman. That just tells you how tiny our team was. My teammates made my last year my favorite one while at Bethlehem. Even though I was the lonesome senior, they made me feel like a little kid again. Starting each season I was so excited and jittery that I could hardly sit in my seat during school because I wanted so badly to get out on the field. Now that the season is over and my career as a softballer has ended, I sometimes feel lost in my own shoes. My favorite sport will not be the same compared to when I was a child.
Since I went to a Catholic high school and being the captain and leader of the team, before each game I would gather my teammates around in a circle, lock arm in arm, and say a quick prayer thanking God for all he has done, ask for safety for everyone on the field, and most importantly fun! We would end each prayer with an Our Father Prayer and then finally a 1,2,3 BANSHEES cheer at the top of our lungs.
After we said the quick prayer I would walk each game out to home plate with my dad, our head coach, and have a meeting with the umpires. I used to like doing this because it gave me a chance to meet a player or two on the opposing team. Our season ended with only a few wins but I had a blast playing and will always treasure the memories I had my final senior year. Regardless of how small my team was, it felt like an army of friends!

Where it all begins

My older sister, now 24, played softball since she was a child. My older brother, now 21, also played baseball since he was a child. My father has coached sports, including softball, since I can remember. Throughout my life I have played basketball, softball, volleyball, and soccer. Softball became my favorite very early. The love of the game started way back in my family with my grandpa even coaching. My family is not spectators, but get involved.