As surprising as it may seem, elite softball players DO have lives off the field!

It’s not always lessons and practices and games and tournaments… sometimes there’s even rewarding activities off the field to balance all the competition between the lines.

Oklahoma commit Nicole Mendes, a 2016 pitcher/outfielder who plays for the Diamond Sports Hotshots – Davis team out of Texas, is a prime example of matching her fantastic softball skills with a desire to good off the field.

The No. 11 prospect overall in the 2016 Hot 100, Nicole already has an interesting backstory as she’s home schooled and doesn’t play high school ball and, in today’s feature, our favorite Full Count Softball intern talks about how raised funds in a creative and fun way to help support an upcoming trip to England for a very unselfish reason or, as she calls it, “Fundraising to Fish & Chips!”

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The Reason for My Fundraiser

How many kids my age can say that they have gone to England to share God’s love? In a few weeks I will be added to that number as I will be a missionary for my church.

Throughout my life I have been blessed with several things: a great family, awesome friends, playing softball at an elite level and now being blessed with the chance to travel to Middlesbrough, England to help others.

This trip is something that has been a dream of mine since I was in middle school, but in order to attend I needed to raise a large sum to pay for my expenses.

I chose a dodgeball tournament as my fundraiser.

When I started fundraising I honestly did not expect such a positive response. The support I received from my softball sisters, families, and friends was overwhelming.

I think it is important to give back to others when it is possible and I know I would not have the opportunities that I have received in my lifetime without others donating their time and resources.

I first heard about the trip in October. Undeniably as a softball player time management is extremely important.

Even if you manage your schedule down to the last second, between school, lessons, and practice you have a limited time to pursue other activities.

Realizing a Dream

Traveling to England to help others is something I have wanted to do for a long time but because the trips were always during summer it conflicted with my softball schedule and I could never find the time.

This particular trip would be taking place in the spring when I had time off from softball. After talking with my parents and taking a leap of faith, I was allowed to sign up for the trip.

As the cost of the trip would include airfare, ground transportation, lodging, and food my pastor encouraged us to seriously consider a fundraiser to help pay for the trip.

Fortunately for me, I was no stranger to fundraisers.

Coming up with an idea was the easy part: I decided to host a dodgeball tournament. The hard part was getting individuals to form teams.

My team hosted a tournament a few years ago and since I knew a lot of athletes I thought it would be a fundraiser that would raise money but still be fun for everyone.

This was my first time coordinating a large fundraiser on my own. In the past there has always been someone running the fundraiser or who was guiding me.

Thoughts of Calling Off the Tournament

The preparation for the tournament was running surprisingly smooth until a week before the tournament.

Suddenly I found myself going from having a large tournament with 13 teams to barely having a tournament at all with four teams.

I have to admit I panicked.

It seemed like all my hard work was for nothing. I became discouraged and considered calling the tournament off.

After my mini-meltdown, I stopped and realized that I still had four teams. I still had a tournament. I still had a fundraiser that would take me a step closer towards my goal.

Making phone calls to several friends, I asked (well… maybe more like got down on my knees and begged) if they would play on a team I was putting together. Ultimately I was able to convince enough people to participate. Ironically enough, that was the team who ended up winning the tournament.

Finally the fundraiser had arrived! Unfortunately two of my teams had not.

Once again I had to put everything into perspective. I still had three teams who paid and were ready to go and, instead of dwelling on how my fundraiser was such a bust, I focused on runny my tournament.

With the extra players from each team grouped together, we were able to put a fourth team together and the tournament began (thankfully without any more hiccups)!

Those Who Rallied Behind Me

It was a day full of laughs.

As a referee I was able to see the competitive streak come out in everyone.

Diving catches and moves that certainly belonged in the Matrix movie equaled a good day for everyone.

All the teams were guaranteed at least five games and at the end of the day I raised several hundred dollars towards my goal.

I cannot express how thankful I am for all the support I received from my friends as well as my family (shout out to everyone who donated above and beyond my expectations—it is such a blessing to have that kind of support).

The parents of my friends who came out to help run the tournament, old friends that I played with way back in my league ball days, and the facility being donated are just some examples of God’s favor on me.

The softball community in particular rallied around me. Although some girls were unable to put a team together, they still supported me through donations and those who were able to make a team came and had a blast.

These girls are more like family than teammates.

Helping Others

Giving back, whether it is helping a local food bank or traveling to England to show God’s love is something that helps you shift your focus onto the important things.

It can even be as small as taking a girl from a younger team under your wing and mentoring her.

Sometimes we do not even realize how much of an impact we can make with a little effort and kindness.

Let me put it in softball terms. As a player on your team one of your jobs is to put the team before yourself, because in the end it benefits everyone.

It is the same way with serving others. When you give and serve others, yes, they will benefit from your help, but you too will gain the satisfaction of having aided someone who was in need.

Having the opportunity to spread the love of God while in another country is something that I have been motivated to do for quite some time.

Along with the money I raised from my fundraiser and numerous donations from my softball family and friends I will go on my trip well prepared and ready to share Gods’ faith, hope, and love.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

— 1 Corinthians 13:13 (New Testament, New International Version)