More than 100 Chickasaw athletes learned the fundamentals of softball from Team USA players Monica Abbott, Vicky Galendo and Kelly Kretschman during the Chickasaw Nation Winter Softball Clinic, Dec. 28 and 29 at Ardmore (OK) High School's sports complex
Chickasaw athletes learned fundamentals of softball from a trio of elite Team USA players during the Chickasaw Nation Winter Softball Clinic, conducted Dec. 28 and 29 at Ardmore High School's sports complex in Ardmore, Okla.
Team USA members Monica Abbott, Vicky Galendo and Kelly Kretschman offered tips, advice and words of wisdom to 103 fast pitch softball players.
Along with game fundamentals, the Olympic athletes covered pitching, fielding and batting techniques and stressed the importance of a strong work ethic and good habits.
Abbott said young athletes are impressionable and words of encouragement can set them on the path to success.
"This can be it for them," said the Olympic medalists, and we hope to be motivating and inspiring, because one person can change a young athletes' life."
Abbott shared stories with the young athletes about being the younger sister of the family's star athlete, and working hard to eventually break numerous softball records.
While playing for the University of Tennessee from 2004-2007, Abbott became the NCAA Division I Softball all-time leader in career wins, strikeouts, shutouts, innings pitched, games started and games pitched.
She has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.
Galindo helped the players with batting, fielding, running form and speed mechanics.
"Growing up, I did not have an opportunity to go to camps, so it is great to come and give back and help young girls."
"It's nice to see their progress," she said.
Because of chilly temperatures, the clinic was confined to the indoor facility, but Galindo said the girls worked hard and played well.
She shared stories about playing softball at a junior college and working hard to play for the University of California, Berkley Golden Bears and professional for the Chicago Bandits.
Like many of the girls at camp, her softball career began at age four.
"It's an honor and fun to coach these girls. Maybe they will take what they have learned over the past two days and someday we will see them on television, said Kretschman, an Olympic medalist.
Kretschman played at Alabama and has been a member of three professional teams.
She stressed to the players they can achieve success with hard work and how she grew up playing baseball with boys until she switched to softball.
Players ranged from nine to 18 years old and traveled from all over Oklahoma and Texas to attend the camp.
Shelby Alexander was escorted to camp by her grandfather, Wayne Alexander.
A Chickasaw citizen who resides in Love County, Mr. Alexander said he was impressed by the Chickasaw Nation's efforts to offer sports camps to the youth.
"This camp is really nice for the girls and they are really enjoying it. I appreciate what the Chickasaw Nation doing this for them"
When asked how it felt to learn from her softball hero, Monica Abbott Shelby Alexander, a pitcher, said; "It's really cool, she taught me all of her new stuff, and she's really nice, too."
"It's a great experience," said Pricilla O'Dell, a seventh grader from Maysville.
"Oh my gosh, I loved it," Shelby Smith, from Tishomingo, said at the conclusion of the camp.
"I learned three new things."
Area coaches assisting the Olympians included Micah Noland, Davis; Heath Gilbert, Dickson; Chris Suddeth, Lone Grove and Marc Peters, Ardmore.
Winter Softball Clinic is one of many of the sports, education and youth camps and clinics offered at no charge to Chickasaw students thanks to revenue from tribal businesses.
