It’s Valentines’ Day so we’re going to talk about love… but not of another person.  Today, we’re going to hear about the love of a sport.

In her latest blog, junior outfielder Amanda Lorenz, who we rank as the top prospect in the Class of 2015, talks about the benefits of playing softball and why she loves the sport so much.

Amanda, a centerfielder from Moorpark (Calif.) High, has committed to Florida and is such a dangerous leadoff hitter that some teams walked her last year to lead off games rather than risk the damage she can do with her bat!

In 2013, Amanda won several national, state and local honors at the high school level including MaxPreps Underclass All-American, CalHiSports.com All-State and Ventura County Star Player of the Year after batting .626 with 17 home runs and compiling a spectacular 1.377 slugging percentage.  In 96 at-bats, she only struck out once and her sweet swing has some saying it’s one of the best batting strokes to ever come out of Southern California.

Amanda plays for the OC Batbusters and helped lead Team Mizuno-Stith to the PGF 18U National Championship game this past summer.  In 2012, she was part of the 16U team that won the PGF national title.

Click here to read Amanda’s earlier blogs and those from our other outstanding bloggers!

Also, check out the video of Amanda after she learns of being named No. 1 in the 2015 class

 

 

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Today, I thought I would talk about all the benefits of playing softball and why I love it so much.

As I wrote in my first blog, I fell in love with the beautiful game of softball when I was five years old. I had an abnormal amount of energy so my parents put me in softball hoping it would release some of it! Since then, I have loved every practice, game, workout, and lesson.

One thing that bugs me most is when girls say they are playing to get a scholarship. I play softball because I love it. I play it because I have developed friendships that I know will continue throughout my whole life.

I am very thankful that I am so in love with this game. The benefits, benefits getting a scholarship and the chance to play at the next level include learning what hard work is about and making the best friendships that I know I will cherish for the rest of my life.

The current teammates I have on the Batbusters are the best teammates I could ever ask for. I am so blessed to have them as friends. I know we will all keep in touch and continue to be friends.

Softball has taught me so much about myself and how to work with others. I never have once gone to practice because I wanted a scholarship. I go because I have a passion for it and I love to get better. It’s just an extra blessing to have been given the opportunity to continue playing at the collegiate level.

I never thought that I would be playing in college when I was in all stars in 8U, but I fell in love with the game and I have never stopped playing.

I know getting recruited is everyone’s goal. But please remember to play because you love it.

There’s nothing more a college coach will be attracted to than a strong passion for the game!

Til next time,

Amanda