It’s Mother’s Day and for all the mothers and those acting in the role of “Mom”—including stepmoms, grandmothers, sisters, teachers, coaches, mentors, etc.—we thank you and honor you for all you do!
We take a few minutes to share a few of the tributes from softball players and coaches across the nation who share the words of love they feel on this Mother’s Day… and know that millions more in our fastpitch community feel the same way too!
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My mom is one of my biggest supporters on and off the field. She is always looking out for me no matter when and where. She’s always supporting me on the field even when she isn’t able to be there. She’s always the loudest one cheering for me no matter where I am!!!
I love u, Mom! ❤️❤️
— Hannah Cornetto, Class of 2024 grad, Atlanta Vipers Neleman, on her mother, Jennifer Cornetto.
*****
My mom has shown me what it truly means to be a strong Christian woman. I have watched her go through extremely challenging times, and no matter what she is going through, she looks out for others. My mom could have gotten no sleep, but the first thing she asks me in the morning is how I slept. She could have a boat load of work to do, but she’ll do my meal prep for me if I have too much homework.
She is also the hardest working person I know. No matter what the distractions may be, she is always disciplined in doing her work and she does it with excellence. I watch her work in hotel rooms, in airports, and in the car to and from wherever we go, working to provide for our family while still being there for me.
I am also so thankful to her for supporting me. As I am following the life that I believe God is leading me too, she is there with me every step of the way. When I fell in love with softball at the age of four and with bodybuilding last year, my mom was incredibly supportive and did (and still does) everything she could to put me in a position to perform to the best of my God-given ability.
She is also the perfect example of a loving and loyal daughter. When I was in 6th grade, my grandfather—her father—was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. This was heartbreaking for me, but this was even harder for her. But, despite how she felt, she was strong for him. He lived four hours away from us and drove up to our house whenever he needed chemotherapy. My mom would drive him to Johns Hopkins (which is over an hour from our house) for chemo. She did endless research throughout my grandfather’s battle to make sure that he was getting the best treatments, from the best doctors. She stayed days in the hospital with him on several occasions when he would get sick. Through all of this she never stopped being an amazing wife and mother.
My grandfather was an amazing Christian man. He battled this cancer for four years, defying the six-to-nine months the doctors initially told him he had to live. He passed away on Saturday, March 28th, 2020. He trusted God with everything, every minute of every day. No matter how he felt or what he was going through he always looked out for other people and was always thankful to God.
I see so much of my grandfather in my mother. Those four years were so incredibly difficult for her, but she never thought of herself. She was always making sure that everyone around her was happy. I thank God for giving me such an incredible role model to learn from every day.
And Mama if you’re reading this: Happy Mother’s Day, I love you!
— Katie Kutz, Class of 2023, Bombers Gold 18U – Lewis, on her mother, Cathy Kutz
*****
My mom has been with me every step of my softball journey. We fly to every camp together, she sets the T for me and still catches me about 90 percent of the time I throw outside of games or practices. She supports me like no one else.
She is my biggest advertisement as she is always talking about me and how proud she is. When she is videoing my at bats or pitching and I get a hit or strikeout, she is the loudest voice you hear. We have made some great memories because of softball.
I have always admired my mom as she is a teacher. She has persevered through many things, and I am proud to be her daughter.
I love you Mom!
— Kelsie Donaldson, Class of 2026, Top Gun 07 – Sciara, on her mother, Rachel Donaldson.
*****
A special thank you to each of these ladies who set the standard. I love each of you and thank you for your unconditional love!
Happy Mother’s Day!
— Presley Harrison (center), Class of 2025, Bombers Fastpitch 18U – Lewis on the women who’ve been a good example in her life.
*****
My mother means so much to me because she has always been there for me and is now there for my kids as the best Gigi in the world! Growing up, my mom worked three jobs so I could play ball and travel to tournaments. She did this during the week and on some weekends, but I don’t recall her ever missing a ball game. She was always there right behind home plate cheering me on and giving me hitting advice (laughs)!
Now that I coach, I am able to travel and invest in my Mojo team, as much as I do, in big part due to her willingness to help our family by carting my own kids around places, watching them while I am at a tournament, or just coming with us to help keep an eye on them.
She still tells me “Good Luck” before tournaments, now as a coach instead of a player, and she watches all our Mojo games on Game Changer or Livestream if she can’t be there in person. My Mom has recently faced some serious health issues and continues to push through to stay involved with her grandkids. I pray that she knows how much she is loved and appreciated this Mother’s Day and every day!
I love you, Mom!
— Head Coach Brittany Lewis of Mojo-Lewis on her mother, Gail Carnes
*****
My mother means so much to me because of her never-ending love and support for me whether it’s on the softball field or in life. She comes to every single one of my games, and she is always the first to cheer for me in the good times and pick me up in the bad times.
I can never thank her enough for everything she has helped me through as an athlete.
She pushes me like no other to do my best. Like she always says, “Anything worth doing is worth doing right.” She constantly holds me to that standard to keep me accountable, especially in the classroom.
My mother is my inspiration for everything I do as she is an incredible role model that I can look up to every single day. Her determination and positive spirit are two things I admire about her that I try to incorporate into my life as well. I am so blessed to have my amazing mother, and I truly do not know what I would do without her!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there!
— Anna Hinde, Class of 2025, Team NC – Hinde, on her mother, Donna Hinde
*****
My mother means so much to me because she is a constant beacon of light in my life that never dims. Through her everyday grace and selflessness, she shows me how to love and care for others.
— Haylie Stum, Class of 2023, Texas Blaze Gold, on her mother, Tami Stum
*****
My mother means so much to me because she spends so much time with me on and off the field. She is always taking time to pack the cooler, drive all around to practices and tournaments, practice with me and help coach our Atlanta Viper 06 Gold team!
Thanks Mom!
— Jordan Williams, Class of 2024, Atlanta Vipers – Harris, to her mother, Barb Williams
*****
This Mother’s Day tribute goes out to the legendary Liz Goelz! While she is truly an amazing mother to Avery and Kinsey Goelz, she is also the caring, loving and yet firm mother to so many players she has coached over the years who have become surrogate daughters.
Tampa Mustangs-TJ and Lakewood Ranch High School Softball would not be the top ranked programs they are without the inimitable Coach Goelz!
Happy Mother’s Day, Coach Liz!
— Past and present Tampa Mustangs-TJ and Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.) High softball players.
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… and here are some of our favorite Mother’s Day tribute posts from past years…
(2021) My mom is a rock star because she is always my biggest fan and shows me nothing but support even when I am not at my best. She is always willing to go and hit with me after she gets off work and never gets tired of hearing about my day or my life. She loves me unconditionally.
— Madison “Pickle” Winkler, Class of 2022, Louisville Lady Sluggers on her mother, Heather Winkler
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(2021) My mom is a rock star because she has always been my number one supporter. Through thick and thin, she is never let me down and has always been there for me whenever i needed her. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made for me throughout my life and I’m so grateful to call you, my mom. Happy Mother’s Day, I love you!
— Krystina Hartley, Class of 2021, Tampa Mustangs – Maguire, on her mother, Rachel Hartley
*****
(2021) My mother is a rock star because she sacrifices so much for my family. She inspires me every day to be the best person I can be. I am so thankful for her both today and every day!
— Regan Krause, Class of 2024, Beverly Bandits – Conroy, on her mother, Amy Krause.
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(2020) Mom, thank you so much for all the hard work you do and sacrifices you make to help me reach my goals. You are one of the strongest people I have ever met and one of my biggest inspirations. I am glad so I get to call you my mom.
I love you!
— D’Auna Johnson, Class of 2022, California Breeze-Fernald to her mother, Sylvia Johnson
*****
(2020) My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader! One of the things I am known for is wearing bows/ribbons when I played and to this day I always wear one when I coach. She was the one who got me started wearing them when I first started playing tee ball and since then that became my signature. I remember all of my Notre Dame softball games, my dad would stand behind the backstop and my mom would sit all the way up in the top corner of the bleachers on the third-base side. I would always wave, dance and blow kisses to her when we would step on the field for our pre-game warm-up and the music started playing. She would do the same thing back to me.
Her smile would light up the stadium. I am forever grateful to have such an amazing mom that supported me to be the best person I could be on and off the field. She is still my biggest cheerleader because she comes with me to all of my Intensity games (even though my dad asks her to go to some of his) to support me as I coach and she cheers on all the girls on my team. She was the one who taught me to sparkle and shine every day … xoxo.
Love you mom (Sugs)! (She was known for always having sweets at the house for my sister and I and our friends, so we called her Mama Sugs like sugar).”
— Brittany O’Donnell, Jersey Intensity 16U-BOD coach, on her mother, Suzanne O’Donnell
*****
(2020) I would like to thank my mom for everything that she has sacrificed for me over the last 18 years. From traveling all over the United States to buying anything and everything softball related. With everything going on in our world, she still finds a way to make every day special.
I truly wouldn’t be who I am today without her. She’s my rock and I’m thankful every day that she is my mom.”
— Bailey Dowling, Class of 2020, Georgia Impact Premier 18U-Lewis, on her mother, Nichole Dowling
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(2019) Not everyone can say their mom is also their coach—in this case I can. Both on and off the field, my mom has been by my side cheering me on nonstop. I cannot thank her enough for all of the long trips and money spent to get me where I am today.
Through all of the tough times, my mom has always stayed positive and has never let anything bring her down. That is one of the many things that I admire the most about her.
As I continue my journey as a young woman, I strive to be as strong and confident as my mom.
Happy Mother’s Day mom, I love you.
— Ciara Briggs, Class of 2019, So Cal Athletics – Richardson, on her mother, Roseann Briggs
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(2018) My mom has been through EVERY single obstacle with me my entire life.
My mom has stood by my side and is the only one who has had faith in me since the beginning.
She believed in me when no one else did—this woman is my biggest fan, my toughest critic, and motivates me to be the best person I can be. I know when things get tough she will be by my side and will always have my back.
Anytime I have anything to do whether a softball game, a school meeting, or a birthday party, she is always there.
She has showed me unconditional love and for this I can’t put it into words how much I appreciate you.
Thank you for all that you do mom… I love you.
— Britton Rogers, Class of 2020, Georgia Firecrackers – Sewell, to her mother, Courtney Blades-Rogers
