RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Reegan Clutter, who was invited to the USSSA Select 30 National Training Camp this week in Florida, is a CF/slapper/speedster for Tennessee Mojo 2027-Kilgore and a future 2028 Extra Elite 100 prospect.
Clutter, from Lynnville, IN, has been an AAU Track & Field All-American in the 60 meters and long jump and she plays volleyball for her travel team.
She was one of Extra Inning Softball’s National Club Player of the Week runner-ups for the Beverly Bandits this past summer.
Clutter, who carries a 4.0 GPA at Evansville Middle School, recently joined Extra Inning Softball’s Blogging Crew to write about her trip to LSU’s Softball Camp last weekend in Baton Rouge, LA.
*****
My journey to LSU softball camp started in December. I was signed up for the Night-Time Slapping Camp on the 18th. We traveled 2.5 hours to Nashville to catch a 9:30 p.m. flight, so I didn’t miss school. As we sat on the tarmac, they announced there was fog in NOLA and that every flight after us had been canceled, but they were hoping to get us in the air. Within 2 minutes they announced our flight was now canceled as it was against regulation for them to fly into the fog that was present. Since all flights after had already been canceled, all flights on Saturday morning were booked. We emailed LSU to notify them that we wouldn’t make it due to fog and weren’t a no show for any other reason. They graciously stated they would credit my account to attend another camp.
Excited to finally be on my way to @LSUsoftball Hitting & Slapping camp! #triplethreat #classof2028 #speedkills @09Mojo @BethTorina @LLefty18 @HWDobson @ExtraInningSB pic.twitter.com/nA2pH7PwFg
— Reegan Clutter – 2028 (@ClutterReegan) December 18, 2021
As we looked, we noticed that LSU had a two-day Hitting and Defense Camp January 8-9, so we decided to sign up. As it approached, a snowstorm was predicted for the entire route to Nashville to catch our flight. As usual, the weathermen were wrong but, unfortunately, not in the way I needed. The majority of Kentucky through Tennessee got more snow than expected. The Interstate was like a parking lot with vehicles off the roads. It looked as if I wouldn’t make it again. Thankfully, I am centrally located in the middle of four airports –– Indianapolis, St. Louis, Louisville and Nashville. As we searched other airports, hoping they would just cancel the flight to make rebooking easier, flights had started disappearing quickly. It looked as if I wasn’t supposed to go ☹. Finally, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, our 8 a.m. Friday Nashville flight was canceled and we found an early flight out of Louisville for Saturday morning.
A 2 a.m. wake-up call to make it to Louisville to check in for our flight was well worth it. We arrived in New Orleans, got a car and took off to Baton Rouge to tour the campus.
2nd times a charm! Mother Natured tried again to stop me from making it to @LSUsoftball camp but we beat her at her game! @BethTorina @LLefty18 @HWDobson @09Mojo @Los_Stuff #classof2028 #outtie #decemberfoginNOLA #januarysnowinnashville #louisville4thewin pic.twitter.com/sW5ZVs251n
— Reegan Clutter – 2028 (@ClutterReegan) January 7, 2022
Thankful for my parents, who promised me that they would get me to as many campuses as possible so when I need to make one of the biggest decisions of my life, I will have information to make the best decision.
We arrived in Baton Rouge and went straight to the softball complex –– always the first stop. While we were looking around we happened to run into Director of Softball Operations Quinlan Duhon, which gave us permission to look all around. I got to stand in the dugouts, all over the field, see the indoor facility, and the softball weight room with no crowds. It was cool! Thank you, Quinlan! After we headed straight to their Vet area #FutureVet. It was a nice area and a plus –– it is super close to the softball fields. Then it was off to visit the most iconic area –– Mike the Tiger’s home. He was asleep and not up for much activity. I then traveled to the LSU bookstore to look for some LSU gear.
We ended the night going to eat at Walk-Ons — a local restaurant with a neat story of two unrecruited walk-ons to the LSU basketball. They became friends and discovered other same interests in restaurants. On a flight home from a game, they sketched the floor plan on the back of a napkin. In 2003, they opened for business inside Tiger Football Stadium. They now have over 100 locations in 15 states.
Saturday — Day 1 of camp started with registration 8:15-9 a.m. Everyone was put into colored groups based on age/position, with 12 or so groups –– divided into young and old. I was the oldest group in the “Young” group. The young group got to stay in Tiger Stadium and the indoor softball facilities, while the older group went to the rec fields for Session 1. We worked on hitting with tee work, drills and soft toss by some LSU players on the field. It is always neat to hit on a college field. We broke for lunch and Chick-fil-A was provided. After lunch, we checked in and the “young” groups headed to the Football indoor facility and practice fields (older groups went to Tiger Stadium and the indoor softball facilities). There, we worked on outfield/infield throwing, backstep, outfield/infield groundball fielding and infield readiness.
Awesome 1st day at @LSUsoftballcamp! Honored to be awarded one of the Hustle Award! Looking forward to day 2! #onepercentbetter #classof2028 #outtie @LSUsoftball @LLefty18 @BethTorina @HWDobson @ExtraInningSB @Los_Stuff @09Mojo pic.twitter.com/takv9Y4Q3e
— Reegan Clutter – 2028 (@ClutterReegan) January 9, 2022
Day 1 ended with announcement of awards. Each coach was able to pick one player for their Outstanding/Hustle award. I was honored and humbled to be picked by one of the station coaches. After camp, we tried to visit Mike again, but that lazy tiger was sleeping once again. This time we were in the corner close to the glass, so you could see just how big and beautiful he is. We drove around campus and stopped to look around of some of the buildings and then ended the night grabbing pizza at Lit Pizza.
Got to visit legendary @MikeTheTiger a couple times this weekend while at @LSUsoftballcamp! Such a beautiful animal! I can’t wait to become a vet! pic.twitter.com/iq2qlgK2CY
— Reegan Clutter – 2028 (@ClutterReegan) January 10, 2022
Day 2 of Camp started with check-in right before 9 a.m. The young group got to stay at Tiger Stadium again for Session 1. Today we worked on inside and outside hitting. Tee work and soft toss on the field. Hitting lasted until lunch. Lunch provided was Subway! After lunch, we checked in and then headed the Football indoor facility, while the older groups stayed at Tiger Stadium. Storms were starting to brew. Session 2 we worked on base running and outfield/infield defense situations. Unfortunately, Day 2 ended with a lightning storm, so for safety concerns everyone was picked up where they were last stationed. No time to chat or get pictures with coaches. TOTAL BUMMER!! I was lucky that Coach (Beth) Torina was in the Football Indoor facility with the young groups, and I had my phone in my bag. I was able to grab one with her and a few of the players before my name was called to be picked up at the door.
Had a great time @LSUsoftballcamp this weekend! Thanks to Coach @BethTorina and her staff & players! I learned a lot and can’t wait to come back! @LSUsoftball @09Mojo @LLefty18 @HWDobson @LSUQuinlanDuhon @Los_Stuff #classof2028 #1percentbetter pic.twitter.com/jgo4DgkYlA
— Reegan Clutter – 2028 (@ClutterReegan) January 10, 2022
I ended the visit with eating at Fat Boys Pizza (I love Pizza) and going over to visit Mike the Tiger one last time. Good choice as he was up and pacing actively this time. Kind of intimidating to be that close with only two fences between you and him pacing back and forth just watching you. 😊 Then we were off to New Orleans to research for my Social Studies project on the haunted French Quarter.
I absolutely LOVED this camp, and I can’t wait to attend another –– especially a slapper camp. Even though there were a lot of kids it felt like you got individual instruction. Everyone in your group might not have been at the same level, but they educated you at your level to help you. Everything we did was beneficial, and I never felt like anything was a time filler. We were consistently moving and never wasted time. Tons of staff and players everywhere! Coach Torina’s staff and players were fun, upbeat and gave off a very friendly non-intimating vibe. It was an awesome camp! I even met a new friend from California that plays on Lady Magic, who is also a 2028 slapper/center fielder. Can’t wait to see her at PGF Nationals this August!
This camp — 100 percent worth it. I am so glad I was able to finally make it. As a 6th grader (Class of 2028) I am not classified as Prospect yet, even though my birth year always has me playing up with the year above. Most of the time I am only eligible for the “youth” or “little kids” camps and the “prospect” or “elite” starts at 7th-12th grades. I felt like this camp (or group) was run towards the prospect/elite side and totally worth going at my non-prospect age! I look forward to attending another camp!
— #21 Reegan Clutter