Haiylee Reeves is developing into one of the best 2025 catchers in the nation, but she proved her dedication to the game when she decided to travel from Idaho to California to compete with the Firecrackers Leles’ squad.
Firecrackers 2022 P/1B Isabella Hess relies on Reeves big time.
“Haiylee is an amazing catcher,” Hess said. “She can throw out and pick off almost any runner and her frames are some of the best I’ve seen (can turn almost any pitch into a strike)! Her hitting is great too, she is always able to have a productive at bat to, help her team! Haiylee is also a workhorse — this season, we had an injury leaving us with only one catcher and Haiylee was able to catch every inning of every game this season without complaint!”
“On top of all this,” Isabella continues, “she is an amazing teammate on and off the field. She always has a smile on her face and is able to control the field in a way that keeps everyone calm in tough situations. Off the field she tries to coordinate team bonding, even one time buying us all cookies to decorate at a tournament! She is always at weekend practices despite living over two states away!”
Firecrackers 2025 OF Caroline Siler said she can always rely on Reeves behind the plate or with a stick.
“On the field, Haiylee knows when her pitcher is struggling and is able to call a timeout and work out the kink,” explains Caroline. “Then the next pitch is usually an amazing strike. She is great at getting the ball out of her glove for a throw down and is very consistent with that. Whenever she swings the bat she is ready to crush the ball out of the park and always knows what she is looking for.”
“What she brings to the team is every time she shows up to a tournament,” continues the outfielder, “she is ready to play and doesn’t let us down. I can’t even imagine catching every game and it is incredible to me that she does with the same amount of effort every time! What is unique about her is that she is able to legally drive from Idaho to California with her dad in the passengers’ seat. I think that is really cool! I was so glad to have Haiylee on my team this season and can’t wait for more to come!”
Firecrackers 2024 OF Gabby Enyart has been impressed by Reeves’ stamina and dedication.
“Haiylee is a great player to have on the field and behind the plate,” Enyart said. “As our only catcher, she has done a great job stepping up and help lead on the field. She is a great bat to have in the lineup. When she is up to bat, everyone is confident that she will get on base! She has also done a great job behind the plate for two or three games in a day. She is a great big sister and has great commitment to our team coming from Idaho for every tournament and weekend practices!”
EXTRA STAR POWER Q&A
Name: HAIYLEE REEVES
Hometown: Meridian, Idaho
High School: Owyhee (Meridian, Idaho)
Club Team: Firecracker – Leles 16U
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-7
Position: C/3B
Nickname: Haiy
Twitter: @HaiyleeReeves25
Honors: Honor Role 2018-21
Travel Ball Highlights/Fall Stats: .413 AVG, 14 RBIs, .509 OBP, 1.074 OPS and .565 SLG.
Tell us about the Firecrackers and how you became involved with them?
I decided in August that I was ready to get really serious with my softball career. Once I started talking with my family we decided it was in my best interest to play for a team out of state. Once finding a few teams to try out for, we made the trip from Idaho to California. I tried out for a couple teams, but I tried out for this team first. I knew from the first day I stepped on the field with these girls this was going to be my home. This team has been the best decision I have made. Firecracker – Leles is more than just a softball team, we are a family. We all work for each other and accept nothing but the best from each other. We had a hard start to the season when we learned that our other catcher had gotten hurt and was out for the season, but everyone stepped up and filled in where it was needed. As a family we had an amazing amount of growth and we are all excited to see what is in the future for us.
What were some of the training methods and workouts you did to stay busy during the stay-at-home orders because of the COVID situation?
Coronavirus hit my 7th grade year and it was the second year I had been living in Idaho. Idaho was very different from most states when it came to coronavirus procedures. We did not get a stay-at-home order where were just not allowed to have contact with people outside of your immediate family. With that being said, I still was able to go to the field with my family. We would go to the field daily to put in work. I have a little sister that also plays softball, so I always had a throwing partner. I feel like COVID was not too bad for me because it was a great time to focus on my position and get better at my craft. My CrossFit gym was only closed for a short while, but they allowed us to borrow equipment and bring it home, so I was able to continue workouts at home.
*** Scroll down to read more about this fast-rising backstop who has always played up and is making a name for herself traveling from Idaho to California to live her dreams…
