Rylie Spell from Pearland, Texas is one of the top catchers in the country and was a 3^rd Team NFCA All-American after hitting .446 with a .528 on-base percentage and 43 RBI this past season.

She wrote this week to say that she’s changed club teams going from the Aces Express to the Texas Glory coached by Kevin Shelton. I took the occasion to ask her some questions about her summer; here’s how that conversation went…

 

FullCountSoftball.com: How did your summer go and what were some of the highlights?
Rylie Spell: I had a very successful summer with a .430 batting average and 12 home runs. The highlight of the summer was in Colorado where I went 10 for 19 for the tournament.

FCS: Did you get to go to Tulsa for an unofficial visits this summer?
RS: I went to the summer camp in June and got to know some of my future teammates.  It was great to have the chance to be on campus and workout with the coaches.

FCS: Where on the road did you travel to since school got out?
RS: I basically lived out of my suitcase this summer.  We played in four states:

• Texas – TCS State and PGF Qualifier
• Colorado – Fireworks
• Georgia – TCS Nationals
• California – PGF Nationals

FCS: Has school started back for you yet?  What are you looking forward to the most about your senior year?
RS: I am enjoying my last few days of summer because we Texas kids start August 25.  It’s hard to believe my senior year is already here!  I’m really excited about my official visit in a few weeks and signing in November.  I’m also looking forward to my last high school and select softball season, and of course homecoming, prom, and graduation!

FCS: You’ve changed teams, which must be bittersweet in some respects… what was the thinking behind it and what are the pluses and minuses in your mind?
RS: I really enjoyed playing for the Aces Express organization this past year.  I’m thankful I got to play with my best friends Erin Houthoofd and Kristen Cuyos their senior summer, and although we won’t be in the same uniform, I can’t wait until we’re all on the same field again.  I will miss the great friends I made this year, but I’m looking forward to making friends and memories with my new team, Texas Glory.  Kevin Shelton always has a great team, and I am excited to spend my senior year wearing red, white and blue.
As a bonus, here’s a profile we did on Rylie last fall…

 

*****

RECRUIT PROFILE: RYLIE SPELL

Grad Year: 2015
Pos: Catcher
High School: Pearland (Texas)
GPA/SAT or ACT: 4.19 GPA, 1860 SAT
Club: Texas Aces Gold
Honors:
2012 – ASA Gold Nationals Runner-Up, Triple Crown Nationals, 5^th place, Triple Crown All-American, Texas 5A State Runner-Up, All-District, Academic All-District
2013 – ASA Gold Nationals, 9^th place, Triple Crown Nationals, 3^rd place, Triple Crown All-American, PHS Newcomer of the Year, 1^st Team All-District
College: Tulsa

***

FullCountSoftball.com: How did Tulsa first find out about you and how long was it from when they first started following you to when they offered?
Rylie Spell: I was impressed with how Tulsa finished the last few years, so that has always kept them in my top list of schools. In October, my good friend Jonathan Lampl called Coach Bargfeldt to see if they were in need of a 2015 catcher/power hitter. They were, so they came and watched me play in Dallas. A month later, I went on an unofficial visit, and verbally committed the day after I got home.

FCS.com: When did you decide to commit and what were the primary factors in you choosing them?
RS: I decided to commit about 10 minutes after I received the offer. I fell in love with the campus, even though it was cold on the weekend I was there. There was really no question in my mind that Tulsa was where I wanted to be.

 

FCS.com: How did you tell the coaches you were choosing them?
RS: After I spoke to Coach J about the offer, I talked to my parents about it and called him right back. It went something like this: “Well, Coach, it looks like I’m going to Tulsa!”

FCS.com: Describe your emotions around finalizing your choice… and did you do anything afterwards to celebrate?
RS: It was easily the happiest day of my life. It’s a good feeling to know where I’m headed when I graduate. My family and I went out for Cajun food to celebrate.

 

FCS.com: How far away is Tulsa from Pearland? Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
RS: Tulsa is eight to nine hours away from Pearland. The distance was not a factor in my decision at all.

 

FCS.com: What are your strengths as a catcher? What areas would you like to improve before hitting the college field?
RS: My strengths as a catcher are my arm, my blocking, and my pitch calling. I like to develop a good relationship with my pitchers so that they trust me and feel comfortable throwing every pitch. I would like to get faster on the bases before I get to college, and will also continue to work in the weight room.

 

FCS.com: What’s been the highlight of your softball career so far?
RS: During the summer of 2012, I played in both the Texas 5A State Championship and the ASA Gold National Championship.

 

Quick Hitters:

 

What is the best thing—and the worst thing—about being a catcher?
The best thing is being able to view the game from a different standpoint. The worst thing – there’s no bad thing about being a catcher.

Fill in the blank… when I put on the catcher’s mask:
… it’s time for business

Pick one of the following vacation spots and explain why you prefer it… beach, ski slopes, cruise, mountains, historical location
I prefer the beach because I like to tan and it’s always warm.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I am a fourth generation catcher. My dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa have all been catchers, so it definitely runs in the family.

What’s one food you refuse to eat?
I eat everything.

With Thanksgiving this week, what will you do from Thursday to Sunday?
I will be spending the holiday with my family in Rayne, Louisiana.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
A box of matches.

What do you want most for Christmas?
Tulsa stuff.

Where would you like to live someday?
Home will always be Texas, but I’ll go wherever softball takes me.