Madalyn Bechdel '19 Recruiting Profile

    I have wanted to play college softball since I was a junior high softball player. I began playing baseball when I was in kindergarten and switched to softball when I was in 3rd grade.  I found playing the game challenging at first, but quickly found that I excelled on the field. I enjoy playing hard and winning. As each year passes I find the game becomes faster and the challenge greater, which makes the win feel better. I'm a competitive player and a student of the game. I have enjoyed playing the game and learning the rules to the point of becoming a junior umpire for the past 2 years. Softball is my life year round, playing 9 months of each year and taking additional lessons with private coaches.

    As an athlete, I often am underestimated by coaches and players. Because of my shorter stature I have had to work harder than other players, always giving 110%/ I hustle on and off the field despite the score of the game. Practice is no different then a game to me, I learned early to practice as you play in a game, always pushing myself. I have been called a line drive hitter, a power hitter and fast by other local school coaches. I am a coachable player, willing to try new techniques and skills to improve my play. I have always batted right handed and 2 years ago started to bat left. I can now switch hit and slap. My freshman year I played JV and received offensive player of the year from my coaches, and as a sophomore I lettered on Varsity. 

    As I look at college softball programs and coaches, I am wanting to play for a coach who inspires not only me but my other teammates. I want to play with other players who love the game as much as I do and are willing to push each other to be our best. I want honest and fair coaches as well as coaches willing to push players to improve and believe in themselves. Lastly I want to play for a  program with coaches easy to approach and talk with.