Don?t let age define your competition: Just ask Zoie Hesse.
This summer, Zoie competed for Nelson Quarries in the Iola Recreation Department Jr. Ponytail softball league. Despite being 10 years old, Hesse thrived in a league designated for 11-13 year olds.
Along with playing rec ball, Hesse also participated for the 10U Buck Commanders travel softball team based out of Fort Scott.
Zoie?s father, Bradley, took it upon himself to make sure Zoie and older brother Ashton fell in love with sports at a young age. Zoie has been playing softball since she was in T-ball.
Big brother Ashton deserves a lot of the credit for Zoie?s athleticism. The two have a bond through sports, and Ashton has worked to help Zoie improve.
?We pretty much do everything together,? Ashton said. ?My dad told me to never take it easy on her, and make her earn what she gets. I?m always going full speed, and when she gets frustrated, I?m not letting her quit.?
The two can?t seem to get enough of playing ball. The pair plays in the yard throwing the ball around, or pitching to each other until one gets tired, then they reverse rolls.
Zoie and her brother appear to have an unbreakable bond. Even though he may deny it, Ashton contributes the on-field success to their father.
?He never took it easy on us, and is always pushing us to be active,? Ashton said. ?Having someone like my dad has been really helpful. Without him, we wouldn?t be where we are today.?
Softball isn?t the only sport Zoie plays with her brother. The two are quite the pair of hoopers, which probably comes from their dad?s love of basketball. Even so, softball seems to reign supreme.
?I like hitting and getting on base,? Zoie said. ? And not getting out!?
This summer, Zoie played up a division for recreation softball because her age group is designated for Pigtail, which is machine-pitch only.
?This is her second straight year we have had to bump her up for rec ball,? her father said. ?And next year she will be a third-year first year player in the Ponytail league.?
Rec ball wasn?t enough softball action for Zoie this summer. As a player on the Buck Commanders in Fort Scott, she traveled to compete against some of the top talent in her age group at tournaments in Kansas City.
