By Elizabeth Contreras
VYPE: What grade are you in and when did you start playing softball?
Kelsie Yates: I am in 12th grade. I started playing when I was 6 years old, and I am a pitcher.
VYPE: What makes your school a great place to play softball?
KY: Bartlesville is a great place to play because we all push each other to have great energy and to stay focused on the game at all times.
VYPE: Can you share a moment in your time when you faced adversity?
KY: Earlier this season we faced Owasso, and the game was 1-0 the entire time. I focused on giving the other team pitches they couldn’t hit and trusted my teammates to score the runs we needed to win.
VYPE: What do you love most about playing softball?
KY: I love the competitive factor. I am constantly trying to get better every day and knowing someone is always competing for the same position keeps me motivated.
VYPE: How has being part of your team shaped you?
KY: Being on this team has made me more confident because my teammates are always cheering me on and pushing me to be my best.
VYPE: If you could give advice to a younger player, what would you say?
KY: Find your reason to show up every day and continue to compete even when life gets hard. Softball is tough, but if you keep working, the results will show.
VYPE: What’s a moment from your softball journey that you’ll never forget?
KY: Last year on September 1st, I thought I wasn’t good enough for Division One softball. That night I got a call that proved my hard work had paid off.
VYPE: Softball is often called a game of failure because even great players don’t get a hit most of the time. How do you manage the mental side of the game when things don’t go your way?
KY: Over time, I learned that my success is often the other team’s failure and vice versa. I focus on believing in myself and keeping my head up, even when things don’t go as planned.
VYPE: What are your plans after graduation?
KY: I plan to play Division One softball at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and major in economics.
