Softball Girls Aren't Afraid of a Little Dirt
She stands out on the softball field and off. If you are lucky enough to talk with 17-year-old New Hampstead High School senior Jaelyn Montfort, you quickly realize why. She is as determined as they come and has her sights set on her future. She won’t stop until she achieves her dreams and she isn’t afraid to get a little dirty while chasing them.
Jaelyn Montfort admits that softball wasn’t her strong suit when she started playing at the age of nine. The now starting pitcher for the New Hampstead girls’ softball team, Jaelyn worked hard to get to where she is. “I just love pitching so much. I know I’m also my biggest critic,” says Jaelyn. “If I’m not satisfied with the way I pitched during a game, I come straight home and start practicing.”
In addition to pitching, Jaelyn plays second base and shortstop for her high school team. Known as a utility player, she practices or plays three to four games a week with the team. She is also on the travel team, Lowcountry Storm, out of Bluffton, South Carolina. She practices every Sunday with that team and travels to out-of-state tournaments almost every other weekend. She pitches and plays third base and outfield for Lowcountry Storm.
“When she started playing softball, I told her that there was no quitting,” says Maria Whitfield, Jaelyn’s mother. “I think it teaches her perseverance and teaches her how to see something through. I know she won’t remember all the wins, but she’ll remember all the good times and her teammates.”
Jaelyn says her biggest support comes from her family. Despite Jaelyn’s parents divorcing when she was young, they remain great co-parents. Her father is a very important player in her softball career. He used to drive Jaelyn to Dublin every Friday to work with a pitching coach. “I love hearing my parents cheer for me and I love to make them proud,” adds Jaelyn.
The young softball player is making her coach proud, too. “Jae is a leader on and off the field. She is the motivational leader, a positive speaker when the odds are against us, and never lets the team get down,” says Brandi Mills, head softball
coach, New Hampstead High School. “She is always stepping up to help the younger players get better and brings positive energy to the team. Jae leads by example in our school, community, and on the field.”
Her dedication and determination can be seen in her academics as well. Jaelyn was just inducted into the National Honor Society and rarely makes anything less than A’s or B’s. She is currently taking all core classes with no electives and will finish her senior year in December. In January, she officially begins her college career. “I wanted to finish high school early, so I can start college early. I want to do something to help children and I’m looking into law and political science,” says Jaelyn.
She’s also looking to play softball for a college and hopes to get a scholarship. She is eyeing colleges in South Carolina and Georgia and says she is leaning towards a smaller college where she feels at home. Jaelyn will be the first generation on both her mom and dad’s side to go to college. “I went to Spartanburg Methodist College just a few months ago to play at a camp. The coach liked me and said she wanted to see more of me.”
“I truly believe that there is a college team for everyone out there, and I will help her find hers. She puts in the extra work when no one is watching to make herself a better player,” says Coach Mills. “For that reason, I believe she will further her athletic career and wherever she chooses to go, they will be lucky to have her.”
It’s that integrity that will surely help Jaelyn succeed in whichever path she chooses. Jaelyn says she had a coach who would always recite the quote, “Your word is your bond.” She says he would say it after every game and it has stuck with her. “If you do something and you don’t tell the truth, you are guilty and you have to be honest with others and yourself,” says Jaelyn. She also is always there to help motivate others. “If someone on my team messes up, I still cheer her on. I also smile a lot because I feel like my smile is contagious.”
“She is a sweet girl and she enjoys helping people. She is open-minded and has a very strong work ethic,” says Maria. An admirable work ethic. Jaelyn knows what she wants and won’t let anyone stand in her way. As cliché as it sounds, her eye is on the ball. She isn’t afraid of hard work and she isn’t afraid to give it her all.
