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Extra Inning Softball has partnered with College Bound Jocks, a “Marketing Company for Athletes” that, for over 15 years, has succeeded in its mission to help those looking to play at the college level how to “understand, plan and succeed in the college recruiting process.”
We are happy to use our editorial platform to promote these talented athletes as part of our CBJ Athlete of the Month program and today we spotlight not jut one athlete, but an entire FAMILY of great softball players… meet the Hool sisters!
You won’t find many families that live, eat and breathe softball like the Hool family from Allen Park, Michigan does.
Dad Gary is a coach in the Finesse travel ball organization, Mom Melissa played college softball herself and their four daughters all are very active in the sport as well: eldest Madison is a high school senior and will play at Wayne State in Detroit; twins Molly and Mia are juniors and look to be college bound as well and Mallory, an eighth grader, plays 14U ball and looks to be the best of them all.
Well, maybe… that depends on whom you talk to of the siblings!
Here’s a fun video of the older girls, our May 2022 CBJ Athletes of the Month, and be sure to read our hilarious interview with all four girls below….
Player Name: MADISON HOOL
Grad Year: 2022
Position(s): 2B/OF
High School: Allen Park (Michigan)
Club Team: Turnin2 18U – Kish
Player Name: MOLLY HOOL
Grad Year: 2023
Position(s) Played: OF/2B/3B
High School: Allen Park (Michigan)
Club Team: Finesse Dreher/Depaulis
Player Name: MIA HOOL
Grad Year: 2023
Position(s) Played: OF/2B/3B
High School: Allen Park (Michigan)
Club Team: Finesse Dreher/Depaulis
Player Name: MALLORY HOOL
Grad Year: 2026
Position(s) Played: C, 3B
School: Allen Park Middle School
Club Team: Finesse 14u Hool
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You all come from a great family of softball players with Madison being a senior (and going to Wayne State University); then the twins, Molly and Mia and, finally, youngest sister, Mallory, an 8th grader… I sense an “M” theme going on—if there had been any other brothers or sisters, did your parents have other “M” names lined up?
Madison: I would’ve loved Max or Maggie. Those were our dogs’ names, so those two would’ve made the most sense.
Mia: If there were a boy in the family, he would be Gary Jr. There would definitely be another “M” name if there was another girl; probably Mackenzie or Michelle.
Molly: My parents did have other M names lined up, but also G because my dad’s name is Gary. I would have liked Gary Jr., Mackenna, or Max.
Mallory: I’m my opinion, I really like the name Maggie. It’s just a cute name and I like that.
And your father, Gary Hool, is a club coach in the Finesse organization… seems like the primary dinner conversation is going to be softball, yes?
Madison: Yes, most of the time. We also love talking about other sports. We switch it up and talk about other things as well. There’s always a good conversation when you’re in the Hool house.
Mia: Every conversation that goes on in the Hool house is about softball. Softball is just a never-ending topic that can always be talked about in our house.
Molly: We always talk about sports with the family. We talk about softball all the time and talk about other sports too. It’s our favorite thing to talk about.
Mallory: I like to have my dad in the Finesse organization because I think he is an amazing coach and deserves everything he does. And yes, it is 100 percent always a dinner conversation!
What is it like being the “coach’s daughter?” Must have some challenges but benefits too…
Madison: My dad is my personal coach and I love it. He’s always there to help me whether it’s after a game or a text full of hitting tips he sends me while he’s at a tournament out of state.
Mia: Being the coach’s daughter is good for me because my dad is always helping me with my swing, and we can go to the field whenever we want to.
Molly: Being the coach’s daughter is awesome because my dad is always there to help me with things like adjusting my swing and perfecting my throw downs. I also always get free hitting lessons when I need them.
Mallory: I like being the coach’s daughter but sometimes it can be hard because I feel like people reflect off of how me and the other coaches kids act so sometimes when I know I need to not get frustrated or upset, I need to just stay happy and not get other down.
How did softball become such a prominent part of your family’s lives?
Madison: The twins and I started T-Ball together along with joining our first travel team together as well. From then on, we kept going and going. We were always on different teams after that until high school ball. After reuniting, this is the most fun I’ve ever had.
Mia: Our mom played college softball at Madonna University and the four of us wanted to follow in her footsteps. Our entire family just loves the sport so much. We love to travel around the country to play softball.
Molly: My mom played college softball at Madonna University and my dad was in the 1988 Junior League World Series. They both grew up playing and ended up coaching us through tee ball, city ball, and travel. Both of them have been so supportive throughout all four of our travel careers.
Mallory: Well, all six of us really love the game. My parents love to watch us play and we love to make them happy.
Softball in Michigan must be challenging sometimes because of the weather, being a Northern state… what adjustments do you have to make sometimes when it comes to high school or club play?
Madison: There are many indoor facilities we have up here in Michigan. You never know what you’re gonna get each day so we’re always prepared for whatever. Sometimes we’re indoors, then sometimes we’re outside practicing with six layers on, then it’ll be super sunny the next day. It’s honestly really fun working with adversity here.
Mia: We train and practice indoors, and I am pretty used to being in the cold weather. When it gets hot out it is really easy to adjust to the weather.
Molly: You never know what the weather will be like in Michigan. One day it’s 80 degrees out and the next day it’s snowing. When it’s raining out we practice in an indoor facility and when it’s cold out we put on our layers, buy hand warmers, and practice outside.
Mallory: Some adjustments that I make is putting up a net in my basement or an open area and just hitting off of the tee.
Do you, or have you, played other sports?
Madison: I danced in my youth years and just finished my last season of basketball a few months ago.
Mia: I play high school basketball and I will golf my senior year. In middle school I ran track and cross country.
Molly: I’ve played basketball for the past 8 years to stay in shape and Mia and I are golfing our senior year.
Mallory: Yes, I play school sports like basketball and volleyball and right now I am running track.
When it comes to your softball career, what are the top individual accomplishments you’ve achieved that you’re most proud of?
Madison: I made First Team All-State second base last year. I am very proud of that one.
Mia: My proudest individual accomplishment is getting MHSAA All-State Honorable Mention (UTL) my sophomore year. I worked really hard my sophomore year offensively and defensively and it showed.
Molly: My top individual accomplishment is being awarded All State Honorable Mention Catcher.
Mallory: I think that one of my greatest achievements is being able to play any position. I feel like I have studied and watched most positions and I know what to do when I am anywhere on the field.
What would each of you say are your strengths in softball?
Madison: I have a good IQ when it comes to it. I use that on the base paths. At the end of the day though, my strength is my glove. Fielding has always been my specialty and will always be my favorite part of the game.
Mia: I have a high softball IQ, I am a very consistent player, and I am a smart baserunner.
Molly: I understand the game very well and always know where the next play is. I am good at making adjustments during the games.
Mallory: I honestly think my biggest strength is hitting. Even though I don’t get on every time, I still don’t strike out much.
What is your favorite softball memory?
Madison: My favorite memory was making it to States. Everything was just fitting in the right places in that time. We fought so hard to make it that far. I hope to do the same thing again this year in my last ride!
Mia: My favorite softball memory is when my high school team won in the semi finals against Mercy last year. I can still feel the exact moment we made the last out, and everybody ran up to the mound to celebrate.
Molly: My favorite softball memory was making it to states. I will always remember that entire game. The feeling after that last out was a feeling I’ll never forget.
Mallory: My favorite softball memory is probably my first Univ. of Michigan softball game. I just remember seeing all these college players and that really made me love the game.
If you could meet anyone in the softball world, who would it be and why?
Madison: Jayda Coleman has to be the swaggiest softball player I’ve ever seen. She is just so much fun to watch and I’d love to meet her one day. She seems like the coolest person ever.
Mia: I would meet Sydney Sherrill because the way that she plays inspires me to play the way I do. She always walks around with swag, and I try to do that. I would also want to make a Tik Tok with her.
Molly: If I could meet anyone in the softball world, it would be Kinzie Hansen. The way that she controls the game behind the plate and the energy she brings to the games inspires me to play how I do today.
Mallory: I think I would want to meet Oddici Alexander even though I’m not a pitcher she is just an awesome player all around.
What is one thing you have learned from your coaches that will always stay with you?
Madison: Fight together as one and give it your all. Good things will come your way.
Mia: Starting with my dad, he always stressed that playing for my teammates will always get me farther than playing for myself. That has taught me to always care about my friends and family before I do myself.
Molly: One thing I learned from my coaches is that softball is a team sport, not an individual sport.
Mallory: Body language. My coaches have taught me well and that having a bad attitude or getting upset easily can really mess things up for you. Softball is a game where you will fail sometimes.
What is something unique about you that most people don’t know?
Madison: I can bucket drum very well.
Mia: I am very good at fantasy sports. I know every MLB, NFL and NBA player.
Molly: I love baking and trying new recipes.
Mallory: I am a pretty fast runner.
Who is your hero or heroes and why?
Madison: My mom is my hero. She is so optimistic and does so much for our family. I wish I could do half the things she can do. She can always put a smile on your face too. She’s just the coolest and strongest mom ever.
Mia: My hero is my dad. He is always working so hard to get me where I need to be. He is always there for me whenever I need anything.
Molly: My hero is my dad. He always encourages me to try my hardest and to be humble. When I first started playing travel ball, I was asked what number I wanted to be. I chose number 16 because that was my dad’s number. I have been the same number since then.
Mallory: My family and friends. They have always been here for me when I needed them.
What other activities/hobbies do you enjoy outside of softball?
Madison: I really love photography and I graphic design for all of our socials for Allen Park Softball (follow us on all socials: @allenparksoftball).
Mia: I love to read in my free time, and I love watching Criminal Minds and Marvel.
Molly: I love reading, riding my bike, and cooking/baking.
Mallory: I really like riding my bike and running.
If you could have dinner with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
Madison: Zendaya is literally the coolest person ever. I would love to have dinner with her and just talk about the most random stuff.
Mia: I would have dinner with Carlos Correa. He has always been my favorite MLB player (I have his glove!). I have always studied his swing and tried to make mine similar to his. I guess I have to like the Twins now.
Molly: I would have dinner with Anthony Rizzo. I have always looked up to him since I was younger. I love that he loves to play the game and enjoys it. He always has fun while playing the game.
Mallory: Probably my friend Alyssa Gomez. She always has good things to talk about.
What is your favorite quote?
Madison: “Burn the boats.” – Debbie Howell
Mia: “Burn the Boats!” – Debbie Howell
Molly: “Wear your effort.” – Coach Dave
Final question and putting you on the spot (like we’re doing with your sister!)… who’s the best softball player in the family?
Madison: We’re all the best at different things. I’m just gonna give the little sis a shout-out because she’s a powerhouse. Mallory, if you see this, you’re really good at softball.
Mia: I am obviously the best player.
Molly: I think everyone knows the answer to that question. Me.
Mallory: Me of course.
Here are the links to our previous CBJ Athletes of the Month (click on the player names to read about them):
- Alexis DeBoer (Fresno, Calif.)
- Quinn Marnochoa (Neenah, Wisc.)
- Ella Stephenson (Algonac, Mich.)
- Keira Tolmie (Clarkston, Mich.)
- Taylor Davison (Richmond, Ill.)