Get on board with Dugout Chatter’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
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Here’s our TFP for Thursday, July 6, 2023:
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THE FINAL PITCH: ELSA MORRISON
Uncommitted 2025 C/SS Elsa Morrison recently talked to Dugout Chatter about Texas Bombers Gold-Smith, Farragut High, Tennessee Gatorade State Player of the Year award, Keagan Rothrock, her grandma, future college, engineering, math and science, Michael Jordan, “Where the Crawdads Sing,” The Killers, “Friends,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and Macarons.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Elsa Morrison
Hometown: Farragut, TN
High School: Farragut High
Club Team: Texas Bombers 18U Gold-Smith
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-11
Position/s: C/SS
Nickname: “E.” First travel ball coach, Chad Poeck, started calling me that in 10U.
Twitter/Instagram: @EMorrison2025/@elsam_22
Honors: Softball — Tennessee Gatorade State Player of the Year (2023); Farragut High MVP (2023); District 4-AAAA Player of the Year (2023); 1st Team All-State (2023); Knoxville Focus Female Student Athlete of the Year (2023); Prep Xtra Knoxville Area Athlete of the Year (2023); Carmel Softball Co-MVP (2022); and two-time Scholar Athlete; Volleyball — District 4-AAAA First Team All-District (2022); District 4-AAAA Sophomore the Year (2022); MaxPreps Player of the Year (2022); and Farragut High MVP (2022).
Travel Ball Fall Stats: .400 AVG, .466 OBP, .867 SLG, 1.353 OPS, 60 at-bats, 26 runs, 24 hits, 7 doubles, 7 HRs and 33 RBIs.
High School Stats: .606 AVG, .750 OBP, 1.521 SLG, 2.271 OPS, 94 at-bats, 57 hits, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 23 HRs, 72 RBIs and 51 runs.
Travel Ball Summer Stats So Far: .582 AVG, .606 OBP, 1.418 SLG, 2.053 OPS, 55 at-bats, 33 runs, 32 hits, 7 doubles, 13 HRs and 35 RBIs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I played with the Indiana Bombers my 8th-grade year. When all of my teammates were in their high school seasons, I went down to Texas to sub with Kristi Malpass’ 14U Bombers’ team. I split time with the Indiana Bombers team and the 16U Texas Bombers Gold for the next season before moving to the Texas Bombers 18U Gold team this year.
Tell us about your high school team and how you did? This was my first season with Farragut High after moving from Indiana for my Dad’s job. I can’t say enough about how wonderful the season was this past year! The team was so welcoming and I immediately felt a connection with the girls and the coaching staff. We went much further into the season than people predicted after losing a lot of seniors the year before. Ultimately, we finished 5th at the state tournament after three years of state tournament appearances. It wasn’t just luck that we accomplished so much this season. We were in the gym, cages and on the field since November.
Can you tell us about receiving the Gatorade State Player of the Year award and what it means to you and your team? When Coach (Nicholas) Green told me I was nominated, I was utterly shocked. It is such a prestigious award and I was honored that I could be considered for it. After winning this award, I have been able to give back to the local youth program, CBFO (Cedar Bluff Farragut Optimist). Hopefully, this will inspire the younger players to fall in love with the sport like I have.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? I would say facing former National Gatorade Player of the Year, Keagan Rothrock, my freshman year in Indiana was the most challenging pitcher that year. As a freshman, I feel like I was a less-experienced hitter. Her movement made her a really rough pitcher to hit. I can’t wait for future matchups.
What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? There have been two things in my life that have changed me as a person and a player. First, as a person, my grandmother moved in with us when I was 5 years old. She passed away in October 2020 due to health issues, which was a huge loss to me. She and I spent so much time together and she was always there for me during my years growing up. I wouldn’t be the person I am without her influence.
Secondly, as a player, I was shaped my second year playing 14U. I moved to an organization where I wasn’t taken seriously due to my age. During that time, I learned how to persevere and grow mentally as a player. I learned it’s OK to fail and you can’t let other people’s opinions tell you who you are. You have to find that in yourself.
What are you looking for in a future college? I am looking for a school program that will support and work with my degree of choice. I want a good culture where coaches and players work well together. I want to play at the highest level in order to always get better.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’ve always been interested in engineering with hands-on applications. I would ultimately like to go into Biomedical Engineering, as my Dad is an Engineer and my Mom is a Veterinarian, and it blends those two professions I’ve grown up around.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? Math and science classes because there are multiple ways to get to answers.
Who is your sports hero and why? Michael Jordan because he is the GOAT. He is such an inspiration to many people because of how he holds himself on and off the court.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? “Where the Crawdads Sing” (by Delia Owens) because it has murder, mystery and it keeps you invested as you read the book.
What’s the best hype song and why? I don’t have one but, The Killers are my go-to artist.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Friends” because it’s funny. It’s just that simple
What’s your favorite movie and why? “Top Gun: Maverick.” Action-packed and every time you watch it, you feel like you’re in it. All of it is actually filmed and very little to no CGI.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can cook and bake … I make a mean Macaron.
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NEWS & NOTES
***The 13th Easton Rawlings Invitational, featuring teams in 14U, 16u & 18U, is Wednesday-Sunday, July 5-9, at Ackerman Park in Glen Ellyn, IL. Beverly Bandits Premier-Conroy is the defending tournament champion.
Follow the tournament online HERE.
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HSOTD
Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …
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BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
Empire's #RebelMoon issue is out NOW! Featuring our exclusive report on Zack Snyder's sci-fi epic. Plus! #BlueBeetle! #GranTurismo! Seth Rogen! Sofia Coppola! #KillersOfTheFlowerMoon! More!
Order a copy: https://t.co/iMGAA3zxjZ
Get the digital edition: https://t.co/lCh8Yo38eE pic.twitter.com/NggKulo0WM
— Empire Magazine (@empiremagazine) July 6, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
