For The Tribune

The most rewarding part of softball for Brownstown Central’s Haley Martin is the time spent with her teammates.

“Our team is always really close like family,” Martin said. “I enjoy the bus rides with them, traveling to away games, just being with them. Our team is so close and we’re good at cheering each other on.”

During the season, Martin played left field for the Braves.

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“You have to get a good jump on the ball as soon as it comes off the bat,” Martin said. “You have to track it down.”

In the outfield, communication with everyone on the diamond plays a key role in fielding balls.

“You and your center fielder have to talk, you and your shortstop and third baseman to see who is going to get the ball because with the wind it can be pulling it in, and then it will just stop or take it to either side,” Martin said. “You really have to get a good jump on it and track it.

“I always take grass in the outfield and throw it up. My coach taught me to do that to tell which way and how hard it is blowing.”

Martin said pitch location has a lot to do with how the ball flies through the air.

“It depends on if it is an inside pitch or and outside pitch, which one they hit,” she said. “On left-handed batters we usually pull in closer to the infield just to get a better jump on it. It just depends on which pitch they hit.

“I switch off with other girls. It just depends what game it is, who we’re playing, and what kind of situation, like hitting. If we’re in a bunt situation someone else will go in. It just depends on the situation.”

At the plate, Martin stays positive while maintain her control

“I understand that I’m not going to get a hit every single time I’m up to bat, that I just watch the girls’ hips all the time, ready for the ball to come out,” Martin said. “As soon as she pitches I decide if I want it or not, or if I’m going to take it as a ball. If I have strikes on me I understand I have to protect the plate and just get my hit.”

She said she feels like he has patience while batting.

“I’m pretty good (about that),” Martin said. “Sometimes we get too anxious and we want to hit, and that happens to all of us. You have to understand that you have to wait and hit. On an outside pitch you have to take it to right field, and hit behind the runners to advance the runners on base.

“I’m not a home run hitter. I just to hit it where we need it and more the runners.”

Martin’s softball career started back in the third grade.

“I started playing league during the summer,” Martin said. “When I got into high school I started playing fall league and winter league (at Ceraland) just to keep myself ready for spring season.”

Travel ball helped Martin with her high school softball.

“It’s helped me a lot just learning aspects of things from different coaches and getting input on myself on what I need to do and what I need to fix, and seeing other pitchers,” Martin said. “During those times we’ll face other pitchers that we’ll see during the season. It helps if I’ve hit off them before.”

“You understand how to play with different girls in different positions.”

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Name: Haley Martin

School: Brownstown Central High School

Parents: Tom and Lisa Martin

Siblings: Hope, Heidi

Sports: Softball, four years

Favorite away diamond: Bedford North Lawrence

Organizations: FFA, Booster Club, National Honor Society, B.A.D. Club

Plans after high school: Attend University of Indianapolis

Favorite band: Florida Georgia Line

Favorite athlete: Jenny Finch

Favorite quote: “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”

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