Shelby Davis
Senior Shelby Davis from Goddard, KS currently ranks second in school history in stolen bases and is just 52 short of the all-time school record. She is coming of an excellent season in which she posted a leading .385 batting average which placed her fifth in the Big 12 conference. In 2014 she was also named All-Big 12 and was also named to the conferences All-Defensive team. Last season she stole 41 bases.
If she can replicate or improve upon last seasons success big things should happen. Let’s get to know Shelby a little better.
FPN: At what age did you decide that you wanted to become an elite/college softball player, why?
Davis: I decided I wanted to be a college athlete when I was 12. Well actually, I wanted to become an Olympic softball player when I was 12. The reason for my big motivation was I loved the sport so much and I wanted to take it as far as I could and the Olympics are, to me, the highest level a person can achieve.
FPN: When did you hit your first homerun? How did it make you feel?
Davis: I hit my first homerun when I was 16. Right before the game started, my mom told me that if I hit an in-the-park homer that she would give me $50. I hit it over instead, and it was a thrilling experience to have all of my teammates standing at home plate waiting for me, cheering my name. It is something I’ll never forget.
FPN: Who or what inspired you the most to pursue your dream?
Davis: The person who inspired me the most to follow my dreams was my mom. I tried to quit when I was 14 because I lacked a school social life, but she really encouraged me to give it another year to see if things changed, and change they did.
FPN: Some advice to people who want to follow your path; what are three things you should do to help yourself improve as a player?
Davis: Perfect practice makes perfect performance, never let yourself slack off during practice, and always try to improve on one thing. Remember that you’re not perfect. Mistakes are going to happen, but what separates great athletes from the OK ones is that they learn from their mistakes and grow from them. Be a good teammate. Try to put yourself in their shoes, always encourage, never belittle someone; you wouldn’t want them to do that to you.
FPN: What is the first thing you look forward to after the off-season, why?
Davis: I look forward to meeting all the new people. During the fall, it’s always interesting to see how far the returners have come and even more interesting to see how the new players are integrating themselves with everything.
FPN: What difficulties did you encounter transitioning from high school to college?
Davis: The hardest part for me was not being the star. I went from everyone in my high school knowing my name to everyone in college not giving a damn about who I was.
FPN: What is your favorite type of bat to use, why?
Davis: My favorite type of bat is any bat. I don’t really have a favorite because I try to hit the ball three feet in front of me
Extra Innings
FPN: Which do you like better, Chipotle or Taco Bell?
Davis: I love Taco Bell and Chipotle, but if I had to pick one, I would go with Chipotle.
