For The Tribune
If you want to know anything about playing center field for the Brownstown Central softball team, all you have to do is ask Beth Wayman.
Wayman, a senior, has played the position for the past four years.
She played mainly JV her freshman year and became a varsity starter her sophomore year.
“I like how I’m the one in charge of the outfield,” she said. “If I call other players off and they’re still going for it and don’t stop, it’s their fault that the ball gets dropped. It’s their responsibility to let go of it and just let me take charge.
“But if I don’t call them off, they have to do everything they can to try to get the ball themselves. There are times the ball just gets hit to where nobody can get to them. Communication is really important so that people don’t run into each other.”
Wayman said trying to rob a player of a home run is hard.
“It’s really hard to do to get back there in time,” she said. “I’ve got close to catching them before but usually they’re too far gone. I usually watch the flag and see how hard the wind is blowing to determine how bad the wind is.”
Wayman, who bats right-handed, has been the Braves’ leadoff batter.
“I’m a straight hitter,” Wayman said. “I just go for line drives, whatever I can get. Home runs are great to get, but usually I just hit line drives. I’ve hit two home runs this year.”
She said she has hit several doubles and she likes pitches at the top of the strike zone.
“My favorite would have to be an inside, high pitch to hit,” Wayman said. “If it’s up high it’s easier to carry out. The hardest for me would be an inside curve where it’s coming right at you, but then it curves right into the strike zone.
“Those you never know if it’s actually going to hit you or it’s going to be a good pitch to hit. A lot of it is the spin of the ball. She can place her hand in different places, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where the ball is going to go.”
In her spare time, Wayman played club ball.
“Playing travel ball helped me a lot,” Wayman said. “It gave us more practice. Most importantly, we faced more teams, a lot more difficult competition, so it really helped us understand what it was like to face people that are bigger than us, stronger than us, and still find a way to win.”
For Wayman, practice makes perfect.
“Practice is key,” Wayman said. “That’s where we fix all our mistakes and repetitions. We work on the plays that are extremely hard to make all the time and the routine ones just become habits. Hitting, we do a lot of repetitions off T’s, soft toss and the pitching machine. The more you do the better you get.”
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Name: Beth Wayman
School: Brownstown Central
Parents: Connie and Jim Wayman
Siblings: Jennifer, Emily, Ben, Brad, Brian
Sports: Softball, four years
Athletics honors: All-Mid-Southern Conference
Organizations BADD Club vice president, lettermen’s club, booster club
Plans after high school: Attend Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus
Favorite food: Chili
Favorite team: Alabama softball team
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Q: What’s it like attending Brownstown Central?
A: “I like how sports are a very big deal, and how close of a community is it, and everybody’s welcomed. I make it as enjoyable as it can be. We’ve got some good teachers. It’s been a lot of fun. I’m going to miss it.”
Q: What is your favorite aspect of home games?
A: “I love our field. I think it’s the best field there is. Our outfield is really smooth, the infield is great, and the dugouts and facilities are all really nice.”
Q: What is one of your most memorable moments?
A: “My first home run I ever hit against Seymour. It was exciting most because it’s Seymour.”
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