by Julia Cuttone
Q. How old were you when you first started playing softball?
I started playing softball when I was nine years old.
Q. What made you start playing?
My mom had asked me one day if I wanted to try it out and I said yes.
Q. What is your best memory throughout your softball years?
I had several amazing memories on the softball field. My best memory throughout my softball years has been the opportunity it gave me to build a strong relationship with my mom. My mom brought me to every practice, every game, every lesson and she was always my number one fan. I am forever grateful and will cherish all the memories we have traveling to games together.
Q. What is your favorite part about the game of softball?
My favorite part of the game of softball is the source of protection it gives you from the real world. When playing a sport, you have a deep passion for, you feel as if there is not a problem in the world, and at that moment all you are doing is playing the sport you love. For me that sport is softball.
Q. What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge while playing softball was getting a line drive to the face having to get stitches and be out of the game for a little. This caused me to not be as aggressive and go for the ball. For me, this was a mental game, and I knew I was all in my head. My high school coach would stay with me after practice and work with me for hours to not be afraid of the ball and just play my game. Eventually, I was able to get out of my head and be aggressive.
Q. What was the transition like from high school to college athletics?
The transition from high school to college athletics has been very smooth and enjoyable. The Farmingdale state athletic program is so welcoming, and they make it feel like home.
Q. How do you balance both academics and athletics?
Balancing academics and athletics can be challenging and stressful at times, but I make it work. At the beginning of each week, I make sure I write down all the schoolwork that I need to complete and the times of practice and games that way I won’t forget anything. For me, if I don’t have things written down, I will easily forget.
Q. Who inspires you most as a softball player?
Someone who inspires me as a player is my high school coach. Starting off playing for him I did not really like him, I thought he was mean and didn’t care about what I thought. When in reality all he was doing was pushing me to accomplish goals I never thought I could. He has been someone who has always been there for me on and off the field and has taught me many life lessons.
Q. What is your biggest accomplishment?
I have received different types of awards, but I think a bigger accomplishment for me was being able to learn all positions and transition to anywhere on the field where my coaches needed me. From 7th-11th grade, I was the pitcher and shortstop. My senior year we did not have a catcher and I decided to step up and be the catcher. We had one of our best seasons our school saw that year.
Q. How has softball made you into who you are today?
Softball has made me into who I am today because it has taught me to get through life you have to understand that there will be obstacles and that you will fail. But when you fail you need to jump back up and work to be 10x better than you were. It has shown me that you cannot be lazy, and you need to have discipline.
Q. How have you stayed motivated during the pandemic?
The pandemic has shown me that anything can happen in the blink of an eye, and nothing can be taken for granted. I stayed so motivated because you never know when something can be your last, so you need to work hard and appreciate what you have.
Q. What gave you the inspiration to start your own fitness page on Instagram? How has this helped you grow on and off the softball field?
I love inspiring and helping others. I love being active and I thought why not spread this to other people to try and encourage them to work on themselves. This has helped me grow on the field by getting stronger and this has helped me off the field to show me my self-worth.
Q. What did it feel like to have your first collegiate season canceled?
Truthfully having my first collegiate season canceled I felt as if my world was coming crashing down. I was going through a tough time and all I wanted was to play because when I am on the field nothing else matter and there is not a problem in the world. Since I wasn’t able to play, I picked up on running and lifting weights and that was my escape.
Q. What are your goals for this season?
My goals for this season are to work hard each day and never take a day of practice or a game for granted.
