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On September 10, 2022, the final Top 10 players were revealed in the updated 2024 Extra Elite 100… Click HERE to see that list and their player bios, including the No. 1 player announced for that junior class, Addisen Fisher.
Addi, as you’ll see in our interview with her below, is as personable and articulate off the softball fields as she is successful and intimidating on them!
But it’s not as if the right-handed pitcher and occasional outfielder just came out of thin air—we’ve honored her quite a bit this year alone (and deservedly so):
- in February 2022, Extra Inning did an Extra Star Power on the pitcher for the Northwest Bullets who was ranked #5 last year in the Extra Elite 100,
- in July, Addi was named to the 1st Team Extra Inning Softball All-American Team after she went 20-1 for Bend (Ore.) High with a 0.46 ERA to earn her second straight Gatorade State Player of the Year award,
- In early August, we did a video interview with Addisen after she helped her NW Bullets team finish 3rd at PGF 18U Premier Nationals and pitched two scoreless innings in the PGF All-American Futures Game,
- A few weeks later in August, we featured the highly-coveted junior recruit in a fun feature that showed where she works out: her own private pitching/hitting barn,
- And just in the last week, Addi was chosen to the Extra Inning Softball 18U All-Summer Team.
A lot of success in a short amount of time, but the impressive athlete has been working towards these goals since first falling in love with softball at age 6.
Here, in Addisen’s own words, is how she has developed her game to where today she’s viewed as one of the top overall prospects in fastpitch at any level…
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Our Extra Inning Softball Q&A with Addisen Fisher
When you were first told you’d be #1 in your class, where were you and what were you doing? And what flashed through your mind?
I was hanging out with my mom at her office after school, and when I found out, I was so shocked. I was genuinely speechless. It is so cool to see your years of hard work paying off. After I found out, I looked at my mom and said, “Little me would be so proud.” It was just such an amazing moment.
The news has been out about your being #1 for over a week… What types of reactions have you received?
Lots of people have told me that they “aren’t surprised,” which is a huge compliment. I was definitely very surprised. It has all just been such a cool experience. I’ve had lots of people reach out to say congratulations, which is just very cool.
Is it more of a compliment to your talent and hard work to get to this point or is it more daunting in that you now will be known as “the No. 1 player in the class?”
It’s definitely a compliment. I have always been taught to block out the noise, put your head down, and work. It’s an amazing achievement and it’s super cool to get this recognition, but I have to work just as hard this year to maintain it next year, which is a challenge that I’m totally up for.
It must have been crazy getting this news and plus be in the middle of recruiting! Tell us where you are now in the process… taking trips? Narrowed your list down?
I am taking all five of my official visits. I have it narrowed down to six schools, which is a lot more manageable than it was on September 1st. With the rankings being released during this whole process, it has really just been amazing to see that the hard work was worth it.
You mentioned September 1st – the first day college coaches could reach out to you – was pretty busy… how many schools reached out to you?
It was crazy! I had 40 Division 1 schools reach out to me, 17 of them being Top 25 programs. Once midnight came, my phone blew up. I started getting new texts and calls every second. It started to stress me out, but it was honestly such a great experience.
What are you looking for in a future softball program?
I want to win a national championship. I want to hopefully play somewhere where it is warm year-round, and I want to get a good, quality degree.
Any idea what you’ll major in? Or what you want to do for a career outside of softball?
Right now, I’m looking to major in communications or journalism.
Let’s talk about your softball career… tell us how you first got into the sport and what attracted you to it? And how old were you?
I played lots of sports when I was younger, but softball just stuck. My parents encouraged me to try every sport I could, and when I tried softball, I instantly loved it. I was 5 years old when I first went outside to play catch with my parents, and I was 6 years old when I was on my first team.
When did you realize: “Hey, I can be pretty good between the lines!”?
I honestly realized that I could be good when I was first ranked in the Extra Elite 100 when I was in eighth grade. I was ranked #41, and that was when I knew that if I kept working hard, I might be able to do something with this.
Was there a moment you remember when it hit you that you really loved the game of softball?
Every time I pick up a ball, I am reminded of how much I love the game.
Did you in the past compete in other sports and are you doing any others now?
I used to play soccer, basketball, and volleyball. I ran track and cross country, and I also used to dance. Softball just always stuck out to me.
What’s been your favorite softball experience or memory?
My favorite memory has to be placing third at PGF this year. My team was absolutely amazing, and I had the best season I could’ve ever asked for because of them.
What’s been your toughest time in softball?
During the COVID pandemic, I struggled with staying motivated, since there was no end in sight, and no way of knowing when I would even play my next game.
Have you had any times where you thought about quitting or questioned yourself because the road got too tough at any point?
It has definitely been hard, but I’ve never doubted that softball is what I want to do. Softball has always been my outlet. Lots of people that are important to you won’t stick around as you would like them to, but softball gives you as much as you put into it. It doesn’t go anywhere and is always there when you need it the most.
What would you say has been the biggest thing to help you get to where you are today, considered the #1 player in your class?
I would say that just maintaining the love for the sport. I have always made sure that I keep enjoying the sport, and I have made sure that I continue to have fun. It’s very easy to take it too seriously, so remembering that it’s just a game has really helped me.
If you were to scout yourself, what would you say are the things you do best? And areas you’d like to improve?
The first thing I would say is my drop ball. That is obviously my favorite pitch to throw, and my command of that pitch is the reason I’m a dominant pitcher. I would also say my presence on the mound. I have always been very comfortable in the circle, which has turned into confidence. One thing that could use some work is my bat. There is nothing really wrong with my swing, but my approach could use some work.
Off the field, describe yourself… are you quiet? Funny? Introspective? Goofy? Talented? Awkward?
Off the field, I’m definitely a social butterfly. I love being around people, and I really enjoy spending time with people I care about.
What’s something about you that is unusual or different that most people don’t know?
I can burp really loud. I don’t let many people see or hear this, if I do it means I really trust you. But if I drink a Dr. Pepper, I can burp very, very loud.
What makes you happy in life?
Spending quality time with the people I care about makes me the happiest. Obviously playing softball makes me the happiest version of me as well.
What makes you nervous or scares you?
The thought of being completely alone scares me. I love talking to people, and I love being around people, so being alone scares me.
Any hidden talents or something you would do if invited on stage at a talent show?
I love playing the guitar!
Describe yourself ON the field in one word…. And describe yourself OFF the field in one word….
On the field: composed.
Off the field: passionate.
Finally, where would you like to be in 10 years? 20 years?
I’m not sure, but I would love to be doing something to give back to the softball community.
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball