The Miami Lakes Heat All-Star softball team, from the Miami Lakes Optimist Club, got a surprise visitor last month to speak to them about playing college softball.
Abi Valdes, who now attends Shorter University in Georgia, returned to her softball roots to encourage her younger peers to attend college and play softball at their July 14 practice.
The Hawks player wanted to give back to the sport that she grew up playing since she was 7 years old.
She has been talking to as many young players as possible and letting them know what they could start doing to get into college ball and what to expect when they get there.
She stressed the importance of maintaining good grades and maintaining a high standard of excellence in the classroom, playing the best ball possible over the years, being willing to play different positions and having an overall great attitude towards everything.
Following her speech, she fielded a lot of questions from players and parent and answered every one of them.
“The girls took to Abi and were motivated by her speech and presence,” said Miami Lakes Optimist softball commissioner Alex Castroman, who along with Abi’s father, Gus, arranged the event.
“Her parents are extremely proud of their daughter and very grateful by the opportunity she was given which resulted from her hard work and all that she has achieved. They are also happy to see their daughter’s willingness to give back by expressing how grateful she is and sharing her knowledge with players that will eventually travel on the same path that she has,” said Castroman.