In the latest blog by Auburn-bound Justus Perry, a 2016 infielder from Prior Lake, Minn., she looks back at her initial club experience and one coach who was so dedicated to his team he built a batting cage on the back of his house.

Club play is out of season right now, but when it comes to travel ball Justus racks up serious flight miles traveling with her father the 1,000 miles to and from Birmingham, Ala., to practice on the weekends with the Birmingham Thunderbolts. 

Perry was a 2^nd team “AAA” All-State selection as a freshman and led her high school to the state championship game.

She had originally committed to Arizona State, but with the coaching change and Clint Myers now at Auburn, she’s headed to the SEC and will play in the same state where her club team practices.

This past summer at the PGF Nationals, we met the talented sophomore and learned about an unusual talent she has for being able to take any word and immediately repeat it backwards!  Check out this video to see Justus in action!

Also, be sure to follow Justus’ blogs and all those from our other great bloggers!

 

*****

 

My very first year of competitive traveling softball was in 14U. I played for a team called the Minnesota Renegades.

It was the first time I had truly been exposed to the real world of softball. I had a true love for the game, and my coach Nathaniel Wagner saw exactly that.

I truly cannot put into words how much this man has done for me. All the late nights he’s stayed at the cage with me and all of the pre-game pep talks he gave to me. Nat is a truly magnificent coach.

Along with raising three children, Nat’s dedication to helping others drove him to have a batting cage built on to the back of his house. Little did my teammates and I know, we would spend hours in the cage with Nat by our side as the hard work never seemed to stop.

Throughout the entire year, while doing his regular job as a full time teacher, Nat never missed a day of practice. Since it was the first year that the group of us had played together, we hadn’t truly come together as a team yet.

Nat saw this and made sure we had plenty of team bonding opportunities. One of my favorites was when we all got together and watched one of my all time favorite movies, Remember the Titans.

Our first year together at ASA Nationals was very interesting. We had a lot of fun, sweat, and tears but our team finally came together. We finished 25th in Midland, Texas… it was an unforgettable journey

This made me realize that we had amazing players, coaches, and role models to help me on my journey to becoming the softball player that I am today.

The next year we were back at it again. The same team with a few minor changes and the same outstanding coach that never gave up on a group of girls from a couple small towns in Minnesota.

The next year we knew our strengths, weaknesses, and what it was going to take to finish in the top 10 at Nationals. At ASA Nationals in Sioux Falls, South Dakota our team finished fourth—a first for a Minnesota team to finish that high.

I was so proud of my team and could not even put into words how much we had improved. Nat was a very large part in that teams success, and how I play the game to this day. I am truly honored that I had the opportunity to be coached by such a passionate coach and teacher.

Thanks Nat!

“semitemos efil si drah rof on nosaer ta lla.” -Carol Boone from Remember The Titans

–Justus Perry (@Justus_Perry18)