For the second year in a row, I spent five days coaching Summerball, a baseball camp in Attnang-Puchheim, Austria. This year was special as it marked the camp’s 10th anniversary and, for the first time, included a softball group.

Girls aged 10 to 14 had the option to choose softball instead of baseball, which was an exciting step in growing the game overseas.

I was asked to take on a head coaching role for softball at camp, and I gladly accepted. In the weeks leading up to it, I reflected on all the coaches I’ve had throughout my career—the nurturing t-ball coaches, the fun and passionate travel ball coaches, and the disciplined college coaches.

Being able to take the best qualities from each of them and bring that to the camp felt like a privilege. The girls in Austria don’t often have fully dedicated coaches, so thinking back to more than 30 coaches who invested their time to help me grow is something truly special.

Coaching this group was especially meaningful for me, as I had the help of another American softball player, Hannah. She played for my college rival, the University of Louisville, but despite our schools’ rivalry, we worked together smoothly to teach the girls the game we both love.

On the third day, I invited Madi, a third American softball player, to join us and focus on pitching—a skill many young Austrian girls are eager to learn, but often lack role models and guidance.

I met Madi through an international organization called Softball Jobs Overseas, where I am currently helping grow the sport around the world.

The girls learned valuable lessons at camp while having fun and, judging by their smiles, they loved it!

I had big smiles too because I got to celebrate my birthday with all the campers!

On top of a great experience, I was also asked to design all the promotional materials leading up to camp, including the camp jerseys and hats. It was exciting to create something that represented the spirit and historic year of Summerball while giving the players a tangible reminder of their experience. From choosing the colors to finalizing the logo, every detail was designed to make the campers feel proud and connected. Seeing the girls light up when they received their gear was one of the highlights of the week, adding a personal touch to an already memorable experience.