COLLEGE
Softball
By Matt Ondesko
Managing Editor
The wait is finally over.
After verbally committing
to Niagara University back
during her sophomore sea-
son, former Orchard Park
High School standout Kayla
Raymond is finally able to
suit up and step on the field
for the Purple and White.
It has been a long journey
for the former Orchard Park
catcher to get where she
is today, and the freshman
couldn’t be any more grate-
ful.
“This is an extremely ex-
citing time for me. I was ver-
bally committed to attend
Niagara University since
my sophomore year of high
school, so finally getting
to attend Niagara and play
the sport I love has been a
dream come true,” stated
Raymond. “Stepping onto
that field for the first time
was at UB and it felt so sur-
real. I had butterflies and
was so nervous, yet so ready
for any opportunity to prove
to myself and everyone
around me that I belonged
on that field. I went 5-8 in
the fall which I was happy,
but not satisfied with. I am
still hungry for more and
have put a ton of time in at
the gym and on the field. I
am ready for the spring and
what it has to bring.”
Raymond is a student of
the game, you almost have
to be being a catcher. She
doesn’t take her responsi-
bilities lightly, either. Game
day for her is just the cul-
mination of everything that
she has out in during the
week.
Being behind the catch-
er is the most important
job on the field. Raymond
is responsible for getting
her pitchers right on the
mound, and setting the de-
fense. That is a lot to put on
anyone, especially a fresh-
man.
But, Ryamond has always
been up for the challenge.
“Being a student of the
game, I am always trying
to learn and improve my
game. Studying hitters,
studying other catcher’s
ways of throwing, blocking,
or framing. I always am try-
ing to better myself so that
it benefits my team as well,”
stated Raymond. “In regards
to pitchers, I always make
sure they are warm or ready
to go. In the fall, I did a lot
of the bullpen catching and
always was trying to make
sure they got their warm ups
in and were ready to go into
that game confident with
their pitches. It is my job if
i am not behind the dish to
help out my other pitchers
who are not playing to get
them warm and prepared
incase they have to go in the
game.”
Raymond expects to be-
hind the dish a lot this sea-
son, that’s the type of con-
fidence she has in herself.
She didn’t come to Niagara
to sit on the pine. She came
to Niagara to contribute in
the field and at the plate.
Behind the dish, Raymond
is the one who likes to call
her own games. She likes
to get the feel of the game
and have her pitchers feel
the same way. Some schools
rather signal the signs in
from the dugout, Raymond
rather have that pressure on
her.
It’s part of being a student
of the game. It’s the learn-
ing the process, and what
makes a player like Ray-
mond special.
“I love calling my own
games. It takes a lot of ob-
servation to call a good
game. As a catcher, you
have to be able to analyze a
lot in a short amount of time
about the current batter at
the plate,” explained Ray-
mond. “I look at their warm
up swings to see if they pull
out their shoulders or cast
their hands. I look at their
bat speed. I also look at
their height and where they
set up in the box. There are
many little factors that go
into calling a good game.”
It’s never easy being a
catcher, Raymond will tell
you that first hand. The
mental aspect of the game
can be draining on a player.
Catchers have so much on
their plate for handling the
pitchers, to calling games
to then trying to produce at
the plate.
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It can be a daunting task
sometimes.
“The mental approach
with being a catcher is no
easy feat. I think the men-
tal aspect of softball out-
weighs the physical aspect
especially when it comes
to catching. All eyes are
on you at all times and you
have to be ready to call out
plays and make quick deci-
sions. Being a catcher, you
are involved in every single
pitch of the game,” stated
Raymond. “For me, it’s all
about being focused and
game ready. You cannot let
the mental game take over.
You have to stay relaxed and
calm. It takes practice and
trust with your defense to
know that they have your
back and you have theirs. I
always have scenarios in my
head on repeat while I am
catching before every pitch
so I know where to go with
the ball if a runner steals, if
the ball is hit, or if the ball
gets past me. You always
have to be ready for any-
thing.”
Neither is staying healthy.
Out of all the positions on
the field catching is the one
that takes the most beating.
Catchers are always getting
beat up behind the plate -
it’s almost like a badge of
courage.
Catchers will finish a
game with all kind of bruis-
es from foul tips or others
players sliding into home.
Raymond knows she’s will
have her fair share of bumps
and bruises throughout the
season.
She also knows she needs
to take good care of herself
if she wants to stay on the
field and help her teams.
“This is an extremely
exciting
time
for
me. I was verbally
committed to attend
Niagara
University
since my sophomore
year of high school, so
finally getting to attend
Niagara and play the
sport I love has been
a dream come true,”
stated Raymond.
Continued - Page 36