Rising Star: 2021 pitcher Lacie Ham
Rising Star: 2021 pitcher Lacie Ham
When we were compiling the FAB 12U Club Rankings, one name that kept coming up from club coaches as a top player to watch was Lacie Ham, a talented pitcher
When we were compiling the FAB 12U Club Rankings, one name that kept coming up from club coaches as a top player to watch was Lacie Ham, a talented pitcher who anchors the OC Batbusters team coached by Chris Garcia.
In large part because of Lacie, the Batbusters-Garcia team was ranked No. 3 in the FAB 50. Her stats for the second-year 12U squad have been impressive this year: a 21-1 record with a 0.82 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 120 innings pitched.
See our full ranking of the 12 Fab 50 teams
The Southern California middle schooler recently received the honor of being invited to the Select 30 All-American Camp and is definitely a player to keep an eye on over the next few years. Here's more about her and what makes her tick on and off the field!
Name: Lacie Ham
School (current): Thompson Middle School
High School: Murrieta (California) Mesa High School
Club Team: OC Batbusters-Garcia 12U
Grad Year: 2021
Position(s): P/1B
GPA: 4.0
Colleges visited/camps: UCLA Pitchers/Catchers Camp
Top School Accomplishments: 4.0 GPA and Attending the PRYDE Leadership Camp
Top Club Accomplishments: 10U ASA National Championship Runner-Up, qualified for PGF last year as first-year 12U team
***
Fill in the blank. The best part of softball is_______.
...making close friendships with 13 talented girls that have accomplished many goals. We have grown really close and is why we work together so well. Some of them I've been playing with since eight years old and I'm proud to call them my teammates and sisters.
What does it mean to you to wear "Batbusters" on your jersey?
It is a huge honor to wear "Batbusters" on my chest. This organization has a huge legacy and it is a tradition to carry on the legacy many successful women have left behind. Every win is a team win. Never is it done by one person. Having the name "Batbusters" across my chest has made me a better player on the field and off the field.
Your team was ranked No. 3 in the nation in the FAB 50 12U Rankings; is that rewarding or nerve-wrecking as it will put a target on your back?
Being ranked No. 3 is neither rewarding nor nerve-wracking. Pressure has never affected the team as a whole. It has always motivated us to do better and push ourselves to the limit. We've worked really hard and are honored to be recognized as we have been.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
I have received lots of advice throughout my life, but one quote has really stood out. My first travel ball team was Team Mizuno, coached by Chris Garcia, and he is still my coach to this day. The organization's main motto was "Never Settle." This quote is always in my mind when I play and it drives me to be the best I can be.
How many different ways have people butchered your name "Lacie?"
My name has been spelled wrong many times by people but it's not their fault. My name is pretty rare and is spelled a few different ways. Many people spell it "Lacey" or "Lacy." I usually notice how it's spelled wrong on my Starbucks cup!
And are you tired of "Ham" jokes? Although we have to ask: were there any that were clever and made you laugh?
I never get tired of "Ham" jokes. Not very many people have made fun of my last name and when they do, I usually laugh with them because most of the comments are really funny. For example, when I'm eating a ham sandwich, they will jokingly ask, "Are you eating your cousin?"
Where are you in the recruiting process? Have you targeted some schools or have you not started down that road yet?
I definitely have been thinking about where I would like to go. I have many universities in mind, but I have not targeted one specific school. I would like to attend a school with great academics and a successful softball program.
If you could have dinner with anyone in history, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
I want to have dinner with ex-Florida Gator and current Dallas Charge pitcher Lauren Haeger. She has been an amazing role model to me and to many other young softball players. Her performance for the Gators lead them to two Women's College World Series championships and is strong in both pitching and hitting. I would love to have a conversation with her about softball and how she grew up to be such an encouraging individual. Lauren has made me stronger as both a player and a person and I would want to have at least one dinner with her in person.
What's something unusual or different about you that few know?
Something few know about me is that I used to have a fear of rollercoasters. They used to scare me because of the huge drops and some going upside down. But ever since my team visited Knott's Berry Farm, I got over my fear and went on most of the rides.
Where's your dream vacation?
I really want to go to Australia's coast. I want to go to their beaches and go scuba diving or zip lining.
Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
I always wear a maroon braided leather bracelet. Every one of my teammates has the same bracelet with their name on it. Whenever I look at it during a game, I always think of my team and it helps me keep going and to never quit.
What's been your proudest accomplishment on the field?
It have to be when we played for the 10U ASA National Championship. I also pitched every game in the tournament. I really couldn't have done it without my teammates and their hard work. I greatly appreciate their support and the effort they gave on the field.
And off the field?
I'm most proud of keeping my grade point average at a 4.0 throughout my school career. I know balancing academics and athletics is difficult but keeping a 4.0 is very important.
If you could improve softball in one way, how would you do it?
Recently, the NCAA banned props from the dugouts because they are "not a part of the uniform." Props in the dugout allows the girls to have more fun than they already do. They do not hurt anyone in any way. Why not allow it?
If you could have a superpower, what would you want it to be?
I would have the superpower telekinesis. This power would allow me to move any object or person with your mind.
What's been your favorite movie over the last year?
It would have to be Allegiant Part One. I saw it with some friends and they said it was nothing like the book but it was still a great movie.
What did you want to be when you were little?
When I was little, I wanted to a veterinarian (kitty doctor) badly. I grew out of it very quickly, though.
Any fun nicknames you've been given?
My teammates came up with "String Cheese" awhile ago and I thought it was pretty clever. They said it was because of how tall I was and my long blonde hair. And I also have string cheese every weekend for lunch between fielding and hitting.
Where would you like to be -- and what would you like to be doing -- in 20 years?
I am really interested in Sports Medicine. I would really love to pursue that career. In 20 years, I would like to be a successful athletic trainer for a major sports team and help their players who have been injured.
In large part because of Lacie, the Batbusters-Garcia team was ranked No. 3 in the FAB 50. Her stats for the second-year 12U squad have been impressive this year: a 21-1 record with a 0.82 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 120 innings pitched.
See our full ranking of the 12 Fab 50 teams
The Southern California middle schooler recently received the honor of being invited to the Select 30 All-American Camp and is definitely a player to keep an eye on over the next few years. Here's more about her and what makes her tick on and off the field!
Name: Lacie HamSchool (current): Thompson Middle School
High School: Murrieta (California) Mesa High School
Club Team: OC Batbusters-Garcia 12U
Grad Year: 2021
Position(s): P/1B
GPA: 4.0
Colleges visited/camps: UCLA Pitchers/Catchers Camp
Top School Accomplishments: 4.0 GPA and Attending the PRYDE Leadership Camp
Top Club Accomplishments: 10U ASA National Championship Runner-Up, qualified for PGF last year as first-year 12U team
***
Fill in the blank. The best part of softball is_______.
...making close friendships with 13 talented girls that have accomplished many goals. We have grown really close and is why we work together so well. Some of them I've been playing with since eight years old and I'm proud to call them my teammates and sisters.
What does it mean to you to wear "Batbusters" on your jersey?
It is a huge honor to wear "Batbusters" on my chest. This organization has a huge legacy and it is a tradition to carry on the legacy many successful women have left behind. Every win is a team win. Never is it done by one person. Having the name "Batbusters" across my chest has made me a better player on the field and off the field.
Your team was ranked No. 3 in the nation in the FAB 50 12U Rankings; is that rewarding or nerve-wrecking as it will put a target on your back?
Being ranked No. 3 is neither rewarding nor nerve-wracking. Pressure has never affected the team as a whole. It has always motivated us to do better and push ourselves to the limit. We've worked really hard and are honored to be recognized as we have been.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
I have received lots of advice throughout my life, but one quote has really stood out. My first travel ball team was Team Mizuno, coached by Chris Garcia, and he is still my coach to this day. The organization's main motto was "Never Settle." This quote is always in my mind when I play and it drives me to be the best I can be.
How many different ways have people butchered your name "Lacie?"
My name has been spelled wrong many times by people but it's not their fault. My name is pretty rare and is spelled a few different ways. Many people spell it "Lacey" or "Lacy." I usually notice how it's spelled wrong on my Starbucks cup!
And are you tired of "Ham" jokes? Although we have to ask: were there any that were clever and made you laugh?
I never get tired of "Ham" jokes. Not very many people have made fun of my last name and when they do, I usually laugh with them because most of the comments are really funny. For example, when I'm eating a ham sandwich, they will jokingly ask, "Are you eating your cousin?"
Where are you in the recruiting process? Have you targeted some schools or have you not started down that road yet?
I definitely have been thinking about where I would like to go. I have many universities in mind, but I have not targeted one specific school. I would like to attend a school with great academics and a successful softball program.
If you could have dinner with anyone in history, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?I want to have dinner with ex-Florida Gator and current Dallas Charge pitcher Lauren Haeger. She has been an amazing role model to me and to many other young softball players. Her performance for the Gators lead them to two Women's College World Series championships and is strong in both pitching and hitting. I would love to have a conversation with her about softball and how she grew up to be such an encouraging individual. Lauren has made me stronger as both a player and a person and I would want to have at least one dinner with her in person.
What's something unusual or different about you that few know?
Something few know about me is that I used to have a fear of rollercoasters. They used to scare me because of the huge drops and some going upside down. But ever since my team visited Knott's Berry Farm, I got over my fear and went on most of the rides.
Where's your dream vacation?
I really want to go to Australia's coast. I want to go to their beaches and go scuba diving or zip lining.
Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
I always wear a maroon braided leather bracelet. Every one of my teammates has the same bracelet with their name on it. Whenever I look at it during a game, I always think of my team and it helps me keep going and to never quit.
What's been your proudest accomplishment on the field?
It have to be when we played for the 10U ASA National Championship. I also pitched every game in the tournament. I really couldn't have done it without my teammates and their hard work. I greatly appreciate their support and the effort they gave on the field.
And off the field?
I'm most proud of keeping my grade point average at a 4.0 throughout my school career. I know balancing academics and athletics is difficult but keeping a 4.0 is very important.
If you could improve softball in one way, how would you do it?
Recently, the NCAA banned props from the dugouts because they are "not a part of the uniform." Props in the dugout allows the girls to have more fun than they already do. They do not hurt anyone in any way. Why not allow it?
If you could have a superpower, what would you want it to be?I would have the superpower telekinesis. This power would allow me to move any object or person with your mind.
What's been your favorite movie over the last year?
It would have to be Allegiant Part One. I saw it with some friends and they said it was nothing like the book but it was still a great movie.
What did you want to be when you were little?
When I was little, I wanted to a veterinarian (kitty doctor) badly. I grew out of it very quickly, though.
Any fun nicknames you've been given?
My teammates came up with "String Cheese" awhile ago and I thought it was pretty clever. They said it was because of how tall I was and my long blonde hair. And I also have string cheese every weekend for lunch between fielding and hitting.
Where would you like to be -- and what would you like to be doing -- in 20 years?
I am really interested in Sports Medicine. I would really love to pursue that career. In 20 years, I would like to be a successful athletic trainer for a major sports team and help their players who have been injured.