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.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at losstuff34@gmail.com, DM at @Los_Stuff on Twitter or text (949) 606-3602.
Here’s our TFP for Wednesday, July 12, 2023:
*****
THE FINAL PITCH: MAKENZIE BUTT
Boise State-committed 2024 1B Makenzie Butt recently talked to Dugout Chatter about Athletics Mercado-Smith, Fountain Valley High, the Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July, Iowa Premier, staying humble, Boise State, sports psychology, Avid, Mike Trout, “The Mind Gym,” DJ Khaled, “Friends,” “She’s All That” and speed reading.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Makenzie Butt
Hometown: Westminster, CA
High School: Fountain Valley High
Club Team: Athletics Mercado-Smith 18U
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-10
Position: 1B
Nickname: My nickname is “Mak.” My first softball coach (Raymond Pedraza) gave it to me when I started rec ball.
Twitter/Instagram: @makenzie_butt99
Honors: 1st Team All-League (2022 & 2023); Offensive Player of The Year (2022 & 2023); All-CIF (2023); and All-Orange County (2023).
Travel Ball Fall Stats: .263 AVG, 3 HRs and 15 hits.
High School Stats: .512 AVG, 13 HRs, 43 hits and 54 RBIs.
Travel Ball Summer Stats (so far): .456 AVG, 14 HRs, 31 hitss and 34 RBIs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I started playing with Athletics Mercado-Hovermale during my second year in 14s in August of 2020. I got moved up to 18s this past fall season and it has been a great learning experience. This organization and team pushes my teammates and I to be the best players we can be. My coaches always have our backs and they expect the best from us.
Tell us about your high school team and how you did? Fountain Valley hasn’t been known for our softball team, but these past two years we have made some noise by making it to the semifinals in CIF-SS Division 5 and making it to CIF-SS in Division 3. We play top teams in California like Los Alamitos and Huntington Beach. I have done pretty well these last two years offensively and I continue to set goals for myself each year.
Can you tell us about your recent experience in the 18U National Power Pool at the Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July? It was an awesome experience to play against top teams in the nation and to get the opportunity to play on national television. My teammates and I had a great time in Colorado and it was a great feeling to win it all.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? I would say our toughest opponent this summer season was Iowa Premier. We played them in the Patriot Games in Colorado and it was a very close game. We went into ITB and unfortunately lost. They have a great lineup and pitching staff that’s tough to compete against.
What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? I’m the youngest sibling and only girl in my family. My three older brothers never let me get a big head and emphasized on the need to stay humble and have a good work ethic. Having older brothers made me form a thick skin at an early age. No amount (of) heckling can compare to what my brothers tell me on a daily basis. It helps me not feel intimidated in high-pressure situations.
Why did you choose to commit to Boise State? I chose to commit to play at Boise State because the welcoming coaching staff and atmosphere. I love the area and I can definitely see it being my home for the next four years.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m interested in sports psychology because I want to help athletes deal with mental health issues in sports. It’s not easy being an athlete. You have high expectations and are expected to perform at your highest each time you play. When you’re not performing all the time it can definitely mess with your mental health.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject in school is Avid because it helps me learn what to expect in college and what the requirements are to get into college. It’s also a career course that has helped me narrow down my options of what I want to do in the future.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is Mike Trout. He’s very big on mental health and learning how to calm yourself while you play. He doesn’t just talk about the good in the sport, he talks about the bad also. I like his work ethic and his love for the game.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book is “The Mind Gym” (by Gary Mack and David Casstevens). It has helped me with my mental health. It reminds me that some of my problems might not be physical, but mental.
What’s the best hype song and why? The best hype song is “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled because it reminds me to stay confident and never doubt myself while I play.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is “Friends” because there are so many episodes to watch and it’s very funny, especially the character Chandler.
What’s your favorite movie and why? My all-time favorite movie is “She’s All That” because it’s a cute and funny romcom that I can watch every day.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I am a very fast reader. I can read a 500-page book in a day or two.
*****
NEWS & NOTES
***The Triple Crown USA Nationals and the Triple Crown Southeast Nationals are Monday-Thursday, July 10-13, in Alpharetta/Cumming, GA.
OC Batbusters-Stith (18U), Warrior Academy-Jimenez (16U) and BSC Bengals-Briggs (16U) and Athletics Mercado 2025-Tidd (14U) are the Triple Crown USA Nationals defending champions.
The Triple Crown Southeast Nationals was last contested in 2020 and Tampa Mustangs-TJ (18U), AP Gold-Locke (16U) and Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 05-Rockey (14U) are the defending champions.
Follow the Tournament online HERE.
***The Triple Crown Southwest Nationals are Thursday-Monday, July 13-16, in Georgetown/Taylor/Austin, TX.
The Triple Crown Southwest Nationals were last contested in 2020 and Impact Gold-Jackson (18U), Hotshots Premier-Nelson (16U) and Hotshots Premier-Esparza (14U) are the defending champions.
Follow the tournament online HERE.
*****
SIGNED/COMMITMENT ALERTS
Salen Hawkins, 2023, MIF/3B, Arizona Storm National-Mathis/Queen Creek High, AZ, Mississippi State
I am so blessed to announce my commitment to further my academic and softball career at Mississippi State University!!! Trusted God through this whole process and am so happy for the future the good Lord has planned for me. Special thanks to my Dad for always being there for me… pic.twitter.com/PDkMF9PeAZ
— Salen Hawkins (@SalenHawk) July 11, 2023
Cece Marquez, 2024, OF, Arizona Storm-Westover/Queen Creek High, AZ, UTEP
Very excited to announce that I have committed to play Division 1 softball at the University of Texas, El Paso!! Thank you to Coach Matta and Coach Hubbard for this AMAZING opportunity #picksup⛏️ pic.twitter.com/HLwtuwKGmO
— Cece Marquez (@MarquezCece) July 11, 2023
*****
HSOTD
Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …
*****
BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
Homelander, Starlight and Black Noir are being added to ‘CALL OF DUTY’. pic.twitter.com/N16r9ypaql
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 10, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff and Threads @los_stuff)
