Inside Pitch: The Beautiful Story Behind Jaysoni Beachum’s Name Change

By @BruntjensElla

Jaysoni Beachum, formerly Jaysoni Fowler, is one of the top power hitters in the Class of 2023 and a highly-ranked player in the 2023 Extra Elite 100.

Earlier this week, we listed Jaysoni Beachum, a third baseman from Alabama, as a Top 50 player in the 2023 Extra Elite 100.

We had profiled Jaysoni in April as part of our Extra Star Power series and at that time she listed her name as “Jaysoni Y. Fowler Beachum.” If you look closely at the headline photo, you’ll see the name on her high school jersey is “Beachum.”

The outstanding third baseman, who is being tracked by ACC, SEC and Pac-12 programs among others, introduces herself by stating: “My name is Jaysoni Beachum, but I previously was known as Jaysoni Fowler.”

In this moving tribute to her father, she tells the story of how and why she’s become “a Beachum.”

And be sure to check out the wonderful photos at the end as well!

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“My Dad Stepped Up to the Plate and Hit it Out of the Park!”

January 3, 2005, with much excitement, Kitta Beachum brought me into the world. My mom and biological father were married four years and prayed hard for a baby.

Jaysoni and Deemetris at her first T-Ball game.

One Sunday while attending church, my mom and biological father received prayer while attending Ever Increasing Word of Faith concerning any fertility issues. God answered their prayers.

They were both excited for the arrival of their baby girl—me— and, on the day I was born, our lives changed dramatically: my biological father was a no-show at my birth.

My mom felt something was terribly wrong because it wasn’t like him to not answer the phone, let alone not show for one of the most important days they both prayed and prepared for.

Hours passed and still no word from my biological father. My mom was moments away from meeting me for the first time and her parents and both her sisters were with her to welcome me into the world, but still no birth father.

At 6:34 am on Jan 3, 2005, I was born weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces! My mom began to wonder if there was something wrong since my biological father hadn’t return any calls or had come to the hospital.

After a while, it was shockingly made known to my family that my biological father was not going to be a part of this great occasion… at the hospital or in my life at all.

Over time, we realized he was not coming back, ever. I know that bad things happen in life, but no matter how broken a situation looks, there can be a great outcome.

My hero and my “true dad,” Demeetris Beachum, met my mom and me at church in January of 2007. She and he became friends because of their mutual interest in music—they both play the piano, drums, and sing at church—and over time they became closer and closer.

Says Jaysoni: “My Dad helps coach my travel team. Tennessee Mojo 2023. He’s in the back on the left side.”

In January 2008, my dad married my mom and committed to be there for us through the good and the bad—and he has kept his word!

He also introduced me to softball. We were out in the yard one day with a red plastic bat and a squishy baseball. When I was four-years-old, Demeetris noticed that I had good hand-eye coordination. I could catch and throw the ball well, at least for a 4-year-old!

He then signed me up for T-Ball and I have played softball ever since. My Dad, Demeetris, has taken me all over the country to play the game I love so much. He spends time with me daily helping me become better each day.

Not only has he helped me at softball but I would not be the 4.3 GPA honor student I am today without him helping me with my school work. He is the smartest man I know, and I am so glad he told my mom that. “When I saw y’all, I knew you were mine.”

I heard somewhere that anybody can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad. Demeetris Beachum is my dad when my biological father chose not to be there.

I am forever appreciative of my dad.

This is why I proudly wanted to have the last name Beachum. Not only did he help me find love in the game of softball, but he has helped me to understand that love is patient, kind, and not self- seeking.

I do not even see my dad as a stepfather… he is my Dad! My Dad has taught me so much— from carpentry, painting, how to change a tire, how to pray, how to treat others, and how to love myself which will allow me to treat others right.

Anything you love, you want to be around and be like. I want to be like my Dad, Demeetris Beachum. I love you Daddy.

Love,

Jaysoni Beachum

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