by Julia Cuttone
Q. How old were you when you first started playing softball?
I was about four or five when I started off playing baseball with my twin brother. After that I then made my way to softball little league.
Q. What made you start playing?
Something that made me start playing was the fact that when I was little, I was obsessed with David Wright. I would wear my little pink jersey to school. In addition, my older brother Matthew was an excellent baseball player and that motivated me to be just like him and I started playing softball. I even took on my brother’s special number which was number three.
Q. What is your best memory throughout your softball years?
My best memory from softball is when my high school team made it to the county finals for the first time in our program’s history. I got a hit off one of the best pitchers in Nassau County and was able to take the lead for my team. What was so amazing about it was that we all have been playing together on travel teams, little league, school ball our whole lives, so to make it there with them, was one of the best things that happened for us. The progression of talent from freshman year to senior year was so incredible as every year we gained more and more talent and success with hard work. We always kept our heads held high.
Q. What is your favorite part about the game of softball?
My favorite part of the game of softball is the environment. The cheering adds to the excitement and community to the team and game. It brings motivation to our players as they get up to the plate filling them with confidence and excitement. Also, I love the fact that softball is a game of failure, while playing softball to know that you may fail and it’s okay makes the effort of the game even more powerful. It is key to know it’s okay to mess up and you’ll get the next one.
Q. What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?
My biggest struggle in softball was when I was in fifth and sixth grade I had a malformation in my brain that caused me to not be able to walk for three to four years of my life and I had ten brain surgeries. Not being able to play softball was something that defined me, that was lost in those hard times. One day in the hospital I was watching the college softball championships and that motivated me to get better so I can be the one playing college softball just like those girls. After three years of not being able to walk I stepped foot on the field for the first time and it was like I was never gone from the sport. I came right back and killed it like I know how to.
Q. What was the transition like from high school to college athletics?
The transition to college softball was difficult for me but also exciting. The difficult part was you could never slug off. In high school, it was much easier to fool around with your teammates and laugh during practices. In college softball, you have to give your 100% all the time even if you aren’t feeling 100% that day. In addition, there was a ton of pressure to perform good unless your position would be taken away from you and you would no longer play . The pressure really was hard but once you realize your self-confidence and focus and know you are there for a reason, it really helped me get through those obstacles. The pitching and players are at a higher level than in high school because everyone there was recruited and have high levels of talent.
Q. How do you balance both academics and athletics?
The way I balance academics and softball is I write all my assignments for the week in an agenda. I also make sure to get my work done in between classes, so when practice comes or runs late my homework will be finished.
Q. Who inspires you most as a softball player?
Someone who inspires me the most as a softball player is my dad. He’s always been my coach and supported me throughout my progression in softball. My dad was the most rewarding, happy coach that always taught everyone to try their best and that it is okay if they make a mistake, everyone is still talented. He inspired me and always told me how good I was. This gave me the passion and confidence to succeed.
