2031 Defenders To Watch This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fall softball slate has opened up for many teams, and those that have yet to begin their autumn travel schedules will soon do so. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While many attending these softball events will have their eyes on the sport's premier youth hitters and pitchers, we must keep in mind that defenders are often the unsung heroes of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights five defenders from the high school class of 2031 to keep an eye on over the next several months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["147932"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":193090,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9c7e000f9a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maddie Lim is recovering from an ankle injury and has been working out vigorously to be prepared for the fall schedule with SoCal Athletics Premier 2030 Gillen/Rasberry. As an outfielder, Lim understands the importance of approaching defense with speed and agility as she has to cover plenty of ground. Lim also knows how to move closer to the ball on batted balls and how to change direction to cleanly field fly balls. In addition to what she does on the field, Lim has also tried her hand at coaching with Wetumpka Impact 8U. Following a team camp later this month, Lim and her SoCal Athletics Premier 2030 Gillen/Rasberry team will be in Florida in mid-October for the Show Me The Money Futures. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":193042,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9c7e000fa05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Jalaya Roberts is primarily a right-handed pitcher, she can also play defense as a utility player and thrives as a slapper and switch-hitter. Two areas of her defensive game that Roberts is working on are footwork and glove work. Her right arm is strong, and that will prove to be especially valuable when playing in the infield. That includes playing some third base, where she will make quick throws after fielding the ball and can even be accurate with her off-balance throws. Hustle Elite 14U Zapien's entire autumn schedule consists of events within the state of Texas, with the exception being the week of Thanksgiving, when it will take part in the East Coast Sunshine Showcase in Florida. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":193043,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":179180,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9c7e000fa63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When Kayla Gardner takes to the diamond this fall, it will be in new threads. The Atlanta Vipers Kotula 2031 team she played for is now Wow Factor Premier Kotula 2031. Gardner rose up the ranks during school ball as a standout at 5A Fort Dorchester, which finished 17-8 last season. Defensively at the 12U Alliance Nationals, Gardner played as a middle infielder and outfielder. She understands how to cleanly field high choppers and makes accurate throws to get sure outs. Gardner also knows how to get her glove hand in front of the ball in case it is to her right and is well-versed in the concept of situational defense, which can lead to fielder's choice outs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":193044,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9c7e000fabc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A new uniform is also in the future of this intriguing Pennsylvania prospect. Grace Barca recently played for Beverly Bandits 12U Premier Estep and will begin play with Unity 13U Blasi/Johnson. Barca sees where a ground ball is headed and manages to get herself to it, fielding it cleanly with both hands. Playing in the middle infield also means being ready for double-play situations and for scenarios that call for quick throws or underhanded tosses to whoever is covering second. Covering plenty of infield ground is another strong point of Barca's game as a defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":193045,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9c7e000fb06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of Unity 13U Blasi/Johnson products, Avery Blake also fits that description. She is another player who competes defensively in the middle infield—mostly at shortstop, but also as a utility player. The name from Northern Virginia recently received an invite to the Space Coast Select 30 in January. Blake knows that batted balls with a runner at first base mean fielding said ball cleanly to toss to the person covering second, or she covers second to make a throw to first to finish a double play. The ground she covers at shortstop means plenty of would-be base hits in the shallow outfield become outs. Blake is balancing out her travel schedule with Unity 13U Blasi/Johnson with her final season of middle school ball with Cedar Lee MS, which went undefeated last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->