Sydney Supple from Oshkosh, Wisconsin is one of the top 2019 players in the country and last year committed to Northwestern when she was just 13 years old. The tall lefty, who is also a standout hitter, is a freshman at Oshkosh North High School and will play this next year on the Beverly Bandits-Conroy/Terrell 16U team that should be one of the best in the nation in its age division.

Sydney and her Beverly Bandits team can be watched at the PGF Labor Day Showcase September 5-7 in Crown Point, Indiana. FloSoftball will be streaming the event. Join Now! 

Sydney had a strong summer culminating in a great week at the PGF Nationals as she threw all six games for her team which went 4-2. Sydney totaled 39 innings and gave up only two earned runs (0.35 ERA). Impressively, she had three straight shutouts for the Bandits and compiled 44 strikeouts.

For more on this fast-rising star pitcher, here’s a profile we did on her last November.

In today’s blog, Sydney talks about a group of softball legends from her hometown who has inspired her and became “Grandfathers” to the newest generation of fastpitch talent…

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As a player, you look up into the stands and see parents, friends, and family. In my hometown of Oshkosh, Wisc., in the stands you’ll see the same, but you won’t be able to miss our “Grandfathers.”

Back in the day, Oshkosh and Kimberly, Wisc. (which is 30 minutes north), was one of the major hubs of Men’s Fastpitch Softball.

Growing up I’ve been extremely lucky to have known some of the best of the game, been supported by them, and taught by them.

Before I got the opportunity to become a Beverly Bandit I played for my local team, the Oshkosh Raiders. The girls I played with, and will continue playing with in high school the next four years, are the granddaughters to some of these legendary players… players like Ray Neveau, Mark Gauthier and Diz Neitzel.

Back in the day they played at the highest level, competing in the ISC World Championships, a level I dream of being able to see. The stories of how the men used to play the game, facing talented pitchers similar to my New Zealand pitching coach, Graeme Robertson, who is known for being clocked in the mid-90s.

Being influenced by these incredible men has taught me how to play the game in a greater way. The greatest compliment I’ve ever received came from a man in the stands. He came up to my Mom while I was pitching and stated: “She most have been raised by male players, because she throws like a guy.”

It is fascinating how I get to call a small city in Wisconsin home, along with so many men who dominated the game that I now love.

They are still in the game, but have taken on a different role. Instead of being on the field, they have taken on a role just as important: being the greatest supporters in the stands.

They are loving the game just as much, watching it through their granddaughter’s eyes.

Although I may never have been blood related, they have brought me into their families, and have cheered me on every pitch of the game. To them they will never quite know how much they have helped me fall in love with the game.

Just this week, one of these incredible men passed away. To him I was always his “lefty” and in my heart, I will always be his “lefty.”

To me he has always been one of my role models, someone whom I hope to be as talented as on the mound and caring of a person off the field.

Diz Neitzel will forever be my role model and, now, my angel on the mound.