We often allow players to contribute to our site either with blogs or first-person accounts of an issue in softball they're passionate about. Today we're featuring the Hot 100 No. 11 player in the class of 2016 Nicole Mendes. Nicole urges both players and coaches to considers their "whys?" by highlight individuals who have left a great impression on her.

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Why are you involved with softball?

When asked that question most people will say it is because they love softball. But when asked why they love it, suddenly it requires the other person to think, why do they love softball?

Identifying your "Why" keeps you relentlessly working towards your goal. It is a constant reminder of what you want to achieve.

Jaydyn “Shorty” Goodwin, a middle infielder and slapper, is a national champion. Not a lot of players can say that much less an 11 year old girl. This past summer her team, the Diamond Sports Hotshots, won Premier Nationals. An incredible achievement of its own, but the best thing about Shorty is her passion for the game.


Shorty’s mom played softball in high school so it seemed natural that she would play. But unlike most girls, Shorty started playing when she was only two years old. When I talked to Shorty I asked her to tell me some things she loved about softball.

“Being with my team is always great, we are constantly having a ton of fun.” she said. “I also love watching softball; it really helps me develop my mind set.”

Her ultimate goal is to play for Team USA and she wants to be a coach or run camps when she gets older.

Players: What are you doing RIGHT NOW that is preparing you for your future? How do you expect to obtain your goals if you do not know what you are trying to achieve.

Bret Denio coaches for the Southern California based team Explosion, one of the top 18u teams in the nation. He started coaching a league team when his daughter was seven years old. She played recreation for two or three more years until she made the move to travel ball. Bret then coached her travel team. When his daughter reached the Gold level he put his coaching days behind him and sat on the sidelines as a dad, or so he thought.

Because of his connections with college coaches the team asked him to become the recruiting contact for the team. From there he moved onto become the manager and then eventually in 2006 he became the head coach for the Explosion.

When I asked Bret why he loved softball he jokingly replied “well I am married to it.” But in all seriousness for Brett it is all about giving back. If he can give a girl an opportunity to play softball at a high level or help her with a college scholarship that is enough for him.

Bret cannot see himself anywhere else other than the Gold level. He likes the competiveness. He also enjoys going down to the younger age groups in the organization to mentor.

If someone were to ask what Bret’s legacy is once he is out of softball he would hope it would be that he was in it for the right reasons. That he had integrity and honesty. When teams needed help he was always there.

Coaches: Why do you coach? Are you giving back? Do you coach with integrity and honesty?

Sierra Romero is one of the biggest names in college softball right now. She was named softball player of the year by ESPNW this year. She grew up watching her dad play baseball and when Sierra was old enough she wanted to play softball. When her family moved from San Diageo to Murrieta she started to become more competitive and joined her first travel team the American Athletics.

“I love softball because of all the people you can meet through the sport. I love how one day you might not do so well then the next you will go 3 for 3. You never stop continuing to improve and grow.” Sierra plans on playing the sport for as long as she can. Potentially going into sports broadcasting for softball and other sports if the opportunity arises is something she can see herself doing.

“If I was to be remembered I would want to be remembered by playing the game the way that it should be played, for being a leader to my teammates, being enthusiastic and competitive but also known for being grateful for every opportunity I have every time I stepped on the field.”

Players: Every time you step on the field remember to never take it for granted. Are you giving it your VERY BEST every time you play? Are you constantly working to improve yourself and your game?

Karen Weekly played softball in college and once she graduated she went on to Law School. After five years of having her own private Law practice she felt the itch to get back into softball. At that time her husband Ralph Weekly was coaching softball at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Karen became a Law Professor while simultaneously coaching softball with him. Later they made the move to coach softball full time at the University of Tennessee.

Because of the commitment Tennessee invests to support female athletes she cannot see herself anywhere else.

“One of the most gratifying parts of softball for me and one of the parts I love most about softball is helping the girls grow into strong, independent women with a strong sense of self-worth. To help girls see that it is so much more than softball in the long run.” If there was one thing Karen would change about softball it would be that players do not view their performance as their self-worth. That they would play the game for the love of the game not for the results that come along with it.

Coaches: What are you doing to help your athletes become independent? Are you helping or hindering their self-worth?

Savana Lloyd is the co-founder of the softball athletic apparel brand Bellalete and pitching coach. Growing up on Lake Washington Savana’s dad would take her across the lake in a boat to the University of Washington’s softball games. Going to games, clinics, and lessons, Savana did anything to be more involved with the girls that inspired her. She went on to play collegiate softball for Texas A&M.

Combining the challenges and rewards of pitching with the experiences and the people Savana met through softball, are the reasons why she loves softball. “From friends, to the best mentors, teammates, the young athletes I get to work with on a daily basis, their parents who are extremely knowledgeable, successful people I can learn from. It all goes full circle; we all inspire and help one another.”

Extremely hardworking and persistent are words you could use to describe Savana. Softball has opened so many doors for her it seemed only logical that she would stay involved with the sport. Her ultimate goal with Bellalete is to become the best athletic apparel for young female athletes while providing a great brand behind it. “To be present in several sports, bringing the female athletes the power of the sport and the confidence it teaches for life, together. “

Bellalete is a brand that stands for inspiring young girls to believe in themselves, to be confident and to go after their dreams. She knows exactly what it is like to be in the shoes of the young developing athletes.

One way Savana would want to impact softball is to bring an incredible product to the sport that is influenced by a girl who played softball herself. She wants to leave behind a legacy of what it is to be great in every aspect of life. “I want to do everything to the best that I can possibly do. Then I want to raise people around me to that same level.”

Players: Are you doing the things that will take you and your teammates to the next level?

Amanda Scarborough, head ESPN SEC softball analyst began softball when her dad found a flier for a local league. Since then she has made a name for herself. Amanda is the other co-founder of Bellalete, works for ESPN, commentated at the Women’s College World Series this past summer, and started the Packaged Deal.

Traveling across the country to talk about the game she loves, Amanda enjoys hearing all the different stories from each of the players she encounters.

When she is not commentating for ESPN Amanda travels with three other former collegiate athletes Jen Schroder, Katie Schmitt (formerly Schroder), and Morgan Stuart. Together they create the Packaged Deal. The camp has hitting, fielding, catching, and pitching and they travel across the country even sometimes traveling to other countries to put on softball clinics.

The best part about the Packaged Deal for Amanda is she is able to remind girls that softball is fun. That all the small details add up together to make the finished product. So enjoy the process of getting there. She hopes to continue with softball but is not sure what her next step will be. “I am excited for my next step, whatever it might be.”

“The biggest way I hope to impact softball would have to be bringing a fresh, positive way girls view softball. I hope to share with players and parents alike that having a positive mindset is something you can carry over into life. You do not have to limit it to just softball.”

Coaches: Do not forget to remind your players that all the small things added together are what make a player great. Remind them to enjoy the game of softball, to enjoy the process.

It does not matter how young or old you are having your WHY forever before you allows you to acquire your goals.

Dream big! You never know until you try.
Recognizing the value of your Why is important because…“A dream becomes a goal when action is taken towards its achievement.”
-Bo Bennett