Q&A with Jaleyn Johnson, Belgreen senior softball player
Q: How old were you when you started playing softball?
A: I have been playing since the T-Ball days, but I played both junior high and varsity since seventh grade.
Q: Was there anyone special in your life who helped you become a great player?
A: My dad. He has always been my biggest fan and is always there to pick me up when I’m down. He encourages me to be a better version of myself and the best player I can possibly be.
Q: How do you get ready for a game?
A: I say a prayer prior to warming up, but other than that it’s just teamwork and warming up together.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not involved with softball?
A: Spend time with my family and best friend. Oh, and eat Bojangles.
Q: Did you have any routines or superstitions before or in a game?
A: Have to have a Snickers and a Mountain Dew. I don’t make the rules. That’s just how it is.
Q: What is your favorite softball memory?
A: State tournament 2019. Despite the outrageous amounts of rain delays, everyone made the best out of it. I had been in a bit of a slump hitting wise during regionals, and the state tournament definitely got me out of that slump. I was hitting the best I had been in a while. Most certainly a memory I’ll forever cherish.
Q: What softball player has influenced you most in the game? Why?
A: My dad, 100 percent. He has always been a huge motivator and knows the game. He knows how to explain the game to me in a way that I will understand. He taught me things that he used to do and small tricks that helped him during his playing days.
Q: What is life after being a softball player for you?
A: I plan to attend Northwest-Shoals Community College and major in sonography.
Q: What are your thoughts on your season and career coming to an abrupt end?
A: I do, in fact, believe the world is going through something tragic right now. I feel like I speak for all seniors across the globe when I say we are devastated. Even though most players might not continue playing in college, it is still hard to cope with the fact that the thing that cleared their mind, the thing that helped shape them into who they are as a person, the thing that taught them so many lessons, is now being ripped from them with no chance of getting it back. The good memories will for sure be stored safely in my heart, but for all softball and baseball senior players out there, I am sorry it had to end this way, but stay strong. We came into the world as 9/11, a worldwide heartbreak, was happening, and now as we are leaving “the world” – the only world we know – another one is occurring. We can do this. It hurts now, but we should use this as an example for the younger ones and teach them to never take anything for granted.
