Addison Baele '16 Recruiting Profile

When I was ten, I didn’t make the competitive softball team that I tried out for in the fall. I was devastated, but I didn’t let failure get in my way. The day I found out I hadn’t made the team, I went directly to the park with my dad and started taking grounders, pop flies, and working on bunting and hitting. Every night we would go out to the field and work until it got too cold. In December I got a call from the softball coach saying that a girl had quit the team and I was next on their list. Being able to learn from failure made me grow both as a person and a player. I’ve learned never to take my spot on a team for granted. I always make sure I put forth 110% effort because I know that the next girl wants my spot too.

 My sixth- and seventh-grade year, I did not make the starting line-up on my grade school softball team. I worked hard during practice those two years and put in extra time in order to improve my skills. At the start of eighth grade year, my coach said that she was really impressed with my hard work and improvements in addition to my confidence and leadership skills on the team. She shared that I would be starting in centerfield and also be the lead-off batter. I was so excited, and I knew I couldn't let her down! That year I pushed harder than ever so that I could keep my spot and also keep progressing. I showed up early to practice and stayed late perfecting my slapping skills and catching fly balls in the outfield.

In high school I’ve kept up my game. I started as a freshman on the sophomore team and ended with a batting average of .500. I had the most stolen bases that season. As my sophomore season came around, the coaches pulled me aside and asked me to try out with the varsity team. I was stoked! I couldn't stop smiling! I was so happy to be able to have this opportunity given to me, and I knew I couldn’t let them down. This past season was one of the best seasons I have ever had. I started in left field and got a lot of hits as the 9th batter; then coach moved me up to the second batter, and I did really well in that position too. I had a batting average of .378 and also took the lead in stolen bases again. I put forth tremendous effort in the off season with my team to strengthen my abilities, and it truly paid off providing me a wealth of experience.  I learned how to be a good teammate to girls that were older than me and how to play hard and still have a great time!

I plan to further my softball career in college because I have an extreme love and passion for the game of softball. Ever since I was a tenacious ten-year-old, I have dreamed of playing college softball. I am interested in studying either Fashion Merchandising or Marketing as a major while at school. Since an early age I have also had a distinct love for fashion and design. My dream is to get a solid education, while continuing my softball career.

Another facet of my life worth sharing is my passion to serve others in the community for the greater good.  I attribute this characteristic to my strong faith and family example, both which have guided me throughout my childhood.  After the November 17, 2013 tornado that damaged or destroyed nearly 1,200 houses in my town, I helped pick up debris, sort food and clothing for distribution, and helped a friend and her family salvage what was left of their home. Also each year my family goes to the South Side Mission in Peoria, Illinois at Thanksgiving and Christmas and delivers meals to families less fortunate. We participate in many worthwhile endeavors each year, and community service is something that makes me feel good because I love making an impact!

            Simply put, failure is not a word that I allow into my vocabulary. I believe that with hard work and 110% effort you can achieve anything you set your mind to, even if at first you don’t measure up or make the cut. At this stage of my life, being able to achieve goals that I’ve set for myself is very rewarding. “Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.” This quote by C.S. Lewis is one of my favorites because I believe that no matter what you are doing, you can apply this to your life. In softball, instead of simply giving up, I let the disappointment and failure of not making the travel team push me harder, which led me to the chance to play when suddenly the opportunity presented itself. In my life I don't allow setbacks and problems to stop me because I firmly believe that failure is just a window of opportunity for success!