RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
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ABOUT
When coaches and scouts say that Ally Shipman, who just finished high school last Friday at Valencia (California) High, is a “model softball player,” it has a double meaning.
A Top 5 player in the 2018 Elite 100, the younger sister of former Tennessee All-American Madison Shipman has played at the 18U club level since her freshman year and as a junior was a high school All-American which included a smoking .833 batting average with runners in scoring position.
Ally’s future coaches, Ralph and Karen Weekly have had the great advantage of watching the “youngest Shipman girl” courtesy of having Madison in the program and commented when Ally signed last November, “Our bond developed when Ally was only eight-years-old and we feel very fortunate to bring a catcher of her caliber into our program.”
“She is mature beyond her years on the field and knows how to lead a team behind the plate. She has all of the physical qualities you want in a catcher – big arm, great receiver, blocks and frames very well – but what sets her apart is she is such an exceptional student of the game.”
Combine her offensive, defensive and instinctive skills and Ally truly is the model player.
But she’s also an aspiring model—as in fashion model—who won a national contest this year and had her photos taken by 70 photographers.
We’ll let Ally pick up the story from the beginning…
“Last fall, I decided to do professional senior photos with a local photographer named Renee Bowen.”
After my senior session, she submitted some of my pictures to the Seniors Ignite National Modeling Competition. In order to be considered, I had to write an autobiographical essay about what makes me unique. Naturally, I wrote about softball.”
“After a few weeks of anxious anticipation, I found out that I had made the finalists for the competition. I honestly did not expect to go any further than that.”
“To my surprise, a week after that, I found out that I was one of the 13 national winners!”
“In January, I drove out to Palm Springs for my two-day modeling experience. We all stayed at the Saguaro Hotel which was so cool! During the first day, we all got our hair and makeup done and shot in two super cool houses that fit the ‘boho vibe’ of the photo shoot.”
“Later that day, we went to downtown Palm Springs and to the windmills and I had different outfits and styles for each location.”
During Day 2, we shot with about 70 photographers at the Saguaro Hotel and at a cool Western museum.”
“I had so many outfits, hairstyles, and accessories. I also made a ton of new friends!”
It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I have over 7,000 images from the photo shoot and I honestly wish I could do it again!”
Ally says she would like to continue modeling… if she can find the time.
Her summer will be packed with softball events as the Choppers have an impressive schedule including a pair of So Cal events kicking off the summer, the Surf City Premier Showcase in Irvine, California (June 9-10); the So Cal A’s Invitationals also in Irvine (June 15-17); then Boulder IDT (June 27-July 1); Triple Crown Sports USA Nationals in Alpharetta, Georgia (July 9-12) before finishing with PGF Nationals back closer to home, in Huntington Beach and Irvine, California (July 21-28).
“As for modeling,” she adds, “I’ll reach out to Renee who started it all off and see what I can do to try and find some more opportunities. It was a lot of fun and something I hope to be able to do more of if I can.”
Here’s a closer look at the Ally and her “day job” of being one of the nation’s top softball players…
NAME: ALLY SHIPMAN
Hometown: Valencia, California
Grad Year: 2018
Position(s): Catcher
Club Team: So Cal Choppers
High School (City/ST): Valencia High School
GPA: 4.2
College: Tennessee
When committed? I committed in the 8th grade
Height: 6-foot
Top Honors/Accomplishments: Extra Innings Softball 2018 Elite 100, 2018 PGF Regional All-American, 2017 Foothill League Player of the Year, Daily News Player of the Year, So Cal Sidelines Player of the Year, 2018 Valencia High School Female Athlete of the Year
Key High School Stats: as a senior batted .356 with 7 home runs, 5 triples, 34 walks, 25 RBI and a .528 on-base percentage; as a junior hit .615 with 15 home runs, 39 runs batted in and a .726 on-base percentage.
Other Universities Considered: Florida, Oregon, Michigan, Texas, LSU, ASU, UCLA, Missouri
Preferred College Major: Kinesiology
*****
You’re so close to playing in the SEC with the Vols, yet it must be tough to leave family and friends behind on the West Coast… how are you feeling as last week concluded your high school years for you?
I’m mostly excited, I’ve been waiting for this moment for four years! It’s a little bitter-sweet since I have to leave my cousin and friends behind but I’m still excited.
Looking back on your high school/club career what’s been your favorite experience or experiences, both in softball and off the field?
I have made some amazing friends/teammates in my high school years. We’ve all shared so many memories on and off the field and I’ll be sad to leave them.
You were heavily recruited but chose to go Knoxville where Madison played… any second thoughts of following in your sister’s footsteps?
I went on my official visit in the fall and it just further proved how much I love UT. I can’t wait to play college softball and make more memories.
Was there an experience or moment when you just knew that Tennessee was right for you?
I was walking in the Knoxville airport after one of my visits and I saw a sign about the university and it struck me that that Rocky Top really is “Home Sweet Home” to me.
What were some of the things college coaches told you they liked about your game and what you bring to the field?
Many coaches commented on my presence behind the plate and my confidence up to bat.
What’s something you’d like to work on?
Everything!
What are you most excited about heading into the summer?
I’m looking forward to my last season of travel softball! Also, I am looking forward to spending some extra time in Knoxville before school starts. I love going out on the lake and wake surfing.
What worries you most about what your generation of teenagers are facing now in the world or in the future?
I think that there are a lot of people in my generation who think they’re entitled to everything. Many teenagers don’t understand the concept of earning something and that worries me.
You father, Bill, has been a great club coach with the Choppers… what’s it been like with him moving to Tennessee for work this past season?
Hes’ a Construction Supervisor helping build a firehouse back there and it’s been hard not having him at all my games helping me and supporting me. I’ve really learned how to figure things out on my own since he moved. He comes back and forth to see us and helps coach. We just sold our house and will eventually all live in the Knoxville area, we bought a home about 45 minutes away in Farragut. Madison is there too, she’s working with ESPN doing a show and commentating–she flies to Charlotte to work at the ESPN studio there.
We’ve asked this next question to a lot of players and gotten a wide variety of opinions: protective masks for pitchers and/or infielders… for or against?
I am definitely for them. I’ve seen multiple pitchers get hit by line drives. Hitters hit the ball so hard and it’s scary to think what it could do if it hit someone in the head.
EXTRA INSIGHTS:
Favorite holiday: It’s a tie between Halloween and Christmas!
Favorite concert/show you’ve ever been to: Depeche Mode.
Dream vacation? I want to travel around Europe.
Biggest pet peeve? When people eat my food without asking.
Motto to live by: “If you’re not first, you’re last!”
Thing you wouldn’t be caught dead doing? Eating mayonnaise
What’s the one song, book or movie title that best describes you? “Do My Thang” by Miley Cyrus.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? The two things you can control are your attitude and your effort. Always give 110 percent in everything you do.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field and off the field? On the field: Confident; Off the field: Competitive (both of these are interchangeable).
If you could meet anyone—living or dead, real or fictional—who would you pick? Luke Skywalker so he could teach me how to use the Force!