Freshman Ryan Ballou has found the passion for the fast but slow moving sport of softball through the fascinating techniques they use and how people dive for the ball.
Since she was four years old, she has been involved in softball in many ways, including private lessons, playing for the varsity and junior varsity La Salle softball teams and a club team called The Hooligans.
She plays as the pitcher for junior varsity and third baseman for varsity. However, her position depends on how many of her teammates turn out to each game. Ballou plans to practice more during the summer to get prepared for next season.
“I think that’s my biggest challenge,” Ballou said. “Hitting slumps and the mental part.” During times like these, she takes a moment to herself to renew her motivation. Ballou also thinks that her teammates really uplift her when she feels down.
She said that her mom is her biggest supporter from putting her in the sport in the first place to getting her private lessons. “My mom, I always look at her before I’m up to bat,” she said. “She gives me a little thumbs up and a smile, telling me I got this.”
When traveling for away games, she uses the ride there to get herself ready physically and mentally, by sitting by herself, eating her pregame protein bar, and listening to music getting herself hyped.
Someone on the team that she looks up to and pushes her to play her best is junior Eleanor Baker. This bond between them has grown over the season.
Ballou said that she and her team all get along well as a community, becoming a big family as the season progressed from start to finish.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been on a team that actually gets along this well,” Ballou said.
Memorable moments for Ballou include the end of away games, especially further ones, where the team stops for food, mostly at McDonald’s. According to her, this is a strong team experience.
Besides her time spent playing softball, she likes to hangout with friends, go shopping — which she said is a necessity to her daily life — and swim.
Describing softball, Ballou said that, “it’s all about your mentality and [you can’t] be afraid to go for the ball.”
From preschool to sixth grade, Ballou went to private school, then she attended Parkrose Middle School for the remainder of her middle school career. The transition included a difference in learning how to manage her time, but she said it was nothing too challenging for her.
This summer, one of Ballou’s must-go trips would be to Wallowa Lake in Wallowa County. She loves to go with her family and friends, and has a blast in the water no matter what the weather looks like. Ballou’s dad owns a boat that they take with them every time.
She wants everyone to think of her as someone that is a positive and uplifting person, someone who will never leave you hanging. “I hate seeing people feel bad or sad,” she said.
