Editor’s note: when you think of countries that actively play fastpitch at the highest levels, you think the U.S., Canada, Japan, China, Australia, Venezuela and a few others.

Keep an eye on the Bahamas, however, because there’s a strong push within the country to become strong in the sport and don’t be surprised to start seeing talented Bahamian young players start getting recruited by colleges.

We will be covering the exciting develop of softball becoming emphasized in the country and in today’s blog you’ll learn about the talented young player who was instrumental in getting the trend going!

— Brentt Eads, Full Count Softball

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Kyra Lockhart is one of the top sophomores in the country and was one of only two in the 2017 class to make the USA Today Pre-Season All-American team.

A power-hitting first baseman who attends Scotch Plains-Fanwood High in Scotch Plains, N.J., Kyra is also ranked in the Top 5 players in the 2017 Full Count Softball Hot 100 list.

We first met Kyra, a power-hitting first baseman with the Jersey Intensity team coached by Kevin O’Donnell at a Surf City showcase and knew instantly when talking with her that she has the personality and energy to be a great blog writer!

In her latest blog for FullCountSoftball.com, Kyra talks about her dual citizenship and how her father and club coach are starting the ball rolling for softball to become a major sports emphasis in the Lockhart’s country of origin.

Click here to read Kyra’s earlier blogs and those from our other standout players.

Also, check out our video interview of Kyra shot October, 2013.

Watch Kyra get a hit at the Sun Classic on Nov. 1, 2014.

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Some may say I’m not like most because I have dual citizenship.

My mother was born in the U.S. and my father was born in the Bahamas. From a young age I frequently would visit the Bahamas not only to vacation, but to visit relatives.

Visiting family in the Bahamas, which are east of the Florida Keys and include 700 islands, cays and islets in the Atlantic Ocean, also entailed going to Junkanoo (a Bahamian festival similar to Mardi Gras), watching cricket matches, and softball.

However, the one activity that interested me most was softball because my father played baseball and softball growing up in the Bahamas.

Based on the many trophies and numerous stories from relatives, my father, Al Lockhart, was well known and had great success as a player. He played on the Bahamas National Fastpitch Team and played in competition against countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, and Canada.

Not only was my father a good player, my two Great Uncles, Richard and Lorenzo Lockhart both played softball and baseball. Although both players were very good, Lorenzo Lockhart went on to be inducted into the Bahamas Softball Hall of Fame. Here’s the link with his picture.

So, as you can see, the Lockharts have a long history of softball!

Going back to my second home and seeing my father play at tournaments and witness his love for the game of baseball and softball inspired me as a young child to pick up the game.

However, after frequent visits back to the Bahamas, I noticed that the participation and the skill level was not what it used to be like when my father played.

At that point I was 13 and was having great success playing softball for the Jersey Intensity organization. I was being recruited by several Division 1 colleges in the SEC, ACC and Pac-12 conferences.

Given the success that I had, I felt other young female Bahamian athletes should also have the same opportunities to pursue their athletic and academic dreams.

That prompted me to speak to my father and Coach Kevin O’Donnell about helping to rebuild the softball program in the Bahamas. Recently, my father and Coach Kevin visited the Bahamas to meet with the Minister of Sports and the Softball Federation to rebuild the program.

If you ever get the chance to visit the Bahamas, in the airport you will see a mural of all the Hall of Famers from sports including track and field, baseball, swimming, and tennis.

Whenever I walked through the airport, my mother used to always tell me one day if I work hard enough  I would have a spot on that wall.

My dream for the Bahamas program is not just for me to have a spot on a wall but to see many Bahamian many females afforded the same opportunity I have!

— Kyra