We’re happy to introduce another outstanding player and writer to the Full Count Softball stable of bloggers and today you’ll meet Delaney Elling, one of the top 2016s in the nation.

Delaney is from Washington, Pa. and is a 6-foot first baseman/catcher who is talented enough to play in the Big Ten at Penn State and smart enough to have been offered by Stanford as she has a 4.0 GPA and scored 30 on her SAT. She plans on majoring in Bio-Medical Engineering (yea, she’s pretty smart!).

She’s pretty darn good between the lines as well.

As a sophomore this past spring the she was named a Pennsylvania AAA All-State 1st Team catcher after hitting .684 with 32 RBI.

In her first blog for us, you’ll learn about Delaney’s passion for softball and go back to the beginning of her sports career to discover how she became the great competitor she is today!

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Hello everyone!

My name is Delaney Elling and since this the first time I have blogged for Full Count Softball, I figured I would tell you a little about myself.

Recently I started my junior year at Trinity High School in Washington, Pennsylvania. Over the past two years I spent in high school I have played volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, and softball in the spring. Even though each sport has its designated season, we all know that softball season is truly year round!

I am verbally committed to play softball for Penn State University starting in the fall of 2016. This year I will be playing for Wagners 3n2 (Va.) and I am extremely excited for this upcoming season. I know it hasn’t been that long since Nationals ended, only one month I believe, and it is cliché to say but I have truly missed actually playing the game.

If I haven’t made myself clear, I love the game of softball, some of my friends have even told me I’m obsessed and I am so thankful for the opportunity to share my passion for the game with all of you through this blog.

Where did this passion come from you may ask? Well, in order to tell that story we have to go back a while.

When I look back, a lot of my time as a young child was spent looking up to my older sister. If she wanted to go swimming, I wanted to go swimming. If she wanted a popsicle, I wanted a popsicle. You get the point. So naturally when my parents signed her up for t-ball, I signed up right along with her.

I don’t remember much from my first few years of t-ball and even the coach pitch league I went to after my sister exceeded the t-ball age limit. Throughout those years, I always managed to be the youngest on the team and, looking back, I think that helped me grow not only as a player but as a person. Although I don’t have too many memories, I am told many funny stories about my younger days.

In my old 6-and-under t-ball league, the rule was that the batter was allowed to run the bases no matter if she was safe or out on the play. Granted our team didn’t make too many plays and didn’t get that many people out, but I am told that I managed to look absolutely furious every single time a batter reached first base and didn’t deserve it. Nice to know some things never change.

Another one of my favorite stories takes place in my 9-and-under league. By no means was my team good, I think we were lucky to finish in second to last place the two years I played.

One day during the season my father was explaining how a defensive player cannot stand in the baseline if a runner is trying to get to the next base, to me and my sister. Like a normal little girl, my sister had a bit of a problem knowing she was expected to run into someone. I, however, told my father I would, “jump on them and elbow them,” if they got in my way. They should have known something was up right then and there.

Once again my sister found herself too old for our 9-and-under league. As always, I followed suit. Yet this change was different from all the years previous because this time we were moving to fastpitch.

In third grade I began my travel ball career with the Pittsburgh Lady Roadrunners. Again, I found myself being the youngest on the team. I credit a lot to this original team because without this original foundation I do not know if I would still be playing today.

The next four years were a blur. My sister and I finally became separated and family became even more involved in softball including my, at the time, young little sisters. The years I spent with this organization laid the foundation of my skills, mentality, and love for the game.

After wrapping up that chapter of my life, I began playing for the Ohio Lady Lasers Red team for my second year of 12-and-under that eventually moved under the name Illinois Chill Gold 14u the next year. There are so many things I could say about this team but I do not think I could accurately describe the heart, talent, and chemistry that this group of girls had.

The memories gained from my experience with this team are invaluable. From my first trips to California, to drinking shots of pickle juice (beyond gross… do not recommend!) to give us energy going into our fifth game of the day at ASA/USA Nationals.

After that team unfortunately disbanded, I found myself a part of Cheetah Nation.

For the next two years I played for New Jersey Cheetahs Premiere. There I met some of the most generous and welcoming people I know and was even reunited with an old teammate. The trips I have taken and memories gained throughout the two years with them won’t be forgotten and I can’t wait to play against some of them in college.

Lastly, bringing us full circle, I am currently with Wagners 3n2. I have yet to meet all the girls, but I have talked with the coaches and know that I will be reunited with one of my best friends. The amount of excitement I feel for this season, for this adventure, with this new group of girls is unparalleled.

So, where exactly did I fall in love with the game of softball? To be completely honest, I’m not entirely sure. Was it the moment after the game winning hit? Or was it the moment when I sat out of practice with a broken thumb thinking that I would give anything to actually be playing?

I think the game really grew on me. Maybe it wasn’t love at first sight, maybe it was. I don’t remember much. All I know is that throughout the good, the bad, the ups, and the downs of this beautiful game, it has become one with my heart.

Finally, I want to leave you with this quote. The quote that gives me motivation to go out and practice, when all I really want is a nap. The quote that I have repeated multiple times in my head during workouts to push me the extra mile:

“When they say you can’t. Then you have to.” – Nike

Delaney Elling
Class of 2016
We are… Penn State