On and Off the Field: A Deep Dive into the World of Softball

Watauga High School Allie Ellis up to bat playing for the Lady Spartans against the Carolina Bombers on November 9th, 2024 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The Lady Spartans won the game 5-4.  

Ella Hudzik, Staff Writer for the Powderhorn

Watauga High School has had a long history of women's softball. Softball is a fast-paced game that requires focus and athleticism. While it’s fun to go and watch this game that moves like clockwork, we might not be aware of all of the hard work that goes into it. Whether it’s the workouts or the rigorous scheduling, the girls on our softball team put their hearts and soul into what they do. 

Watauga High School sophomore Maddy Canter, who has been a softball player in previous years, shares her workout routine. 

“So whenever I did play softball, we would go to the workout room in the high school on the bottom floor and we would do push ups, sit ups, and then lift weights,” said Canter.

Canter explains that these group exercises not only helped their athletic performance but her team building skills. She also stressed the importance of having a favorite workout. 

“My favorite workouts were our leg workouts,” said Canter. “I loved it whenever we did deadlifts. Deadlifts and whenever we would just run and stuff, they were just fun to do together.” 

While it’s important to recognize your love for a sport, it's important to remember the reason you got into the sport in the first place. Canter shares how she found her love for the sport. 

“So I was always into sports and stuff like that, but I was never able to find the right sport for me. And one day we were playing softball at our school and I was like ‘Oh I like this,’ so yeah I just went on from there,” said Canter. “The thing that softball does for me as a person is that it helps me get all of my anger and stress out. It helps my attention span and ability to focus.” 

Watauga High School Freshman Allie Ellis, who plays for her school team and her travel team has created strong habits rooted in physical fitness due to her participation in softball.

“I think that before coming to high school, I didn’t really work out in the gym. Now that I go more often, I feel way stronger than before,” said Ellie. “ I also feel like I don't get sore easily. I feel way more in shape and I don’t get tired as much. I feel healthier and good about myself.”

 Going to sporting events can bring family, friends, and even strangers together. But that type of energy isn’t only reserved for the audience. The same effect can rub off on the athletes playing. 

“I’ve been playing softball since T-ball, so since kindergarten. And I really started playing softball when I was 10. I started doing a travel team and just really getting into it. I feel like the reason I kept playing is because I’ve met so many good friends that I’ve made good connections with,” said Ellis. “I’ve found some people that I really look up to in a lot of different ways. Softball also brings me closer to my family. Because if I invite my family to come and watch me, then I feel closer to them.” 

Something people might not know more about playing softball for a travel team is the fact that college recruiters come to these games to watch how the girls play and offer scholarships and other opportunities. 

“One thing that my team does right now is this thing called showcase tournaments. It’s like where college recruiters are there watching us and we have to come up with a certain amount of money to pay for college coaches to train us,” said Ellis. “On my last team we had a nonprofit, so we had fundraisers for all of our money.” 

There may only be a short amount of time for sports in high school years, but the bonds formed with fellow teammates can last a lifetime. 

“Something I would tell someone interested in joining softball is that if you feel like you don’t have really close friends, putting in the hard work to join the softball team is worth it,” said Ellis. “How I found most of my close friends was through softball. I even still talk to some of the girls I’ve known since I was 10 from T-ball.”  Allie Ellis, who plays for her school team and her travel team, credits softball with creating strong habits rooted in physical fitness.

“I think that before coming to high school, I didn’t really work out in the gym. Now that I go more often, I feel way stronger than before,” said Ellie. “ I also feel like I don't get sore easily. I feel way more in shape and I don’t get tired as much. I feel healthier and good about myself.”

 Going to sporting events can bring family, friends, and even strangers together. But maybe that type of energy isn’t only reserved for the audience. The same effect can rub off on the athletes playing. 

“I’ve been playing softball since T-ball, so since kindergarten. And I really started playing softball when I was 10. I started doing a travel team and just really getting into it. I feel like the reason I kept playing is because I’ve met so many good friends that I’ve made good connections with,” said Ellis. “I’ve found some people that I really look up to in a lot of different ways. Softball also brings me closer to my family. Because if I invite my family to come and watch me, then I feel closer to them.” 

Something people might not know more about playing softball for a travel team is the fact that college recruiters come to these games to watch how these girls play and offer scholarships and so many wonderful opportunities. 

“One thing that my team does right now is this thing called showcase tournaments. It’s like where college recruiters are there watching us and we have to come up with a certain amount of money to pay for college coaches to train us,” said Ellis. “On my last team we had a nonprofit, so we had fundraisers for all of our money.” 

There may only be a short amount of time for sports in high school years, but the bonds that come from fellow teammates can last a lifetime. 

“Something I would tell someone interested in joining softball is that if you feel like you don’t have really close friends, putting in the hard work to join the softball team is worth it,” said Ellis. “How I found most of my close friends was through softball. I even still talk to some of the girls I’ve known since I was 10 from T-ball.”