Announcing: Oakley McLeod Hosts 2nd Annual Mental Edge Camp

Oakley McLeod’s Mental Edge Camp

When it comes to leading by example, few athletes in the game today embody the mission of mental wellness and softball development quite like Oakley McLeod, the Class of 2026 Extra Select #126 Infielder from Windham, Maine. This spring, McLeod is once again turning vision into action by hosting the Second Annual Mental Edge Softball Camp at the University of Southern Maine’s Softball Stadium on May 18, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Register now: https://forms.gle/8tUdPZQ1AxQ8fotS7

Sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and NAMI Maine, this free camp is open to players in grades 3 through 8 and features a comprehensive lineup of skill instruction, guest speakers, and most importantly—honest conversations about mental health in sports.

“We want this camp to allow us all to feel comfortable about ourselves and know that it’s all right to talk about how you feel,” said McLeod. “That’s been something that I, myself, have had a tough time with before. Those feelings can fester and get worse over time if we don’t let our guard down and talk about it.”

Why the Mental Edge Matters

McLeod, a standout at Windham High School and who also plays for Granite State Elite – MC, understands that softball is more than stats—it’s a mental game. And for young athletes, that pressure can become overwhelming.

“Based on softball being a game of failure, it can be challenging mentally when certain things don’t go your way,” she explained. “We shouldn’t judge others or ourselves primarily off statistics. There are so many other ways to succeed—being a great teammate, cheering on others, being prepared, and bouncing back from tough moments.”

Last year’s inaugural camp welcomed 85 campers, over 25 college and high school coaches, 30+ player volunteers, and three guest speakers. The 2025 event promises to be even bigger, with 140 camp registrations already confirmed—and more expected as the date approaches.

A Family Mission

For Jason McLeod, Oakley’s father, watching her take ownership of this project has been a source of deep pride.

“Seeing my daughter step out of her comfort zone, creating a platform for this, and wanting to bring awareness to something that has historically been portrayed as a weakness makes me a proud father,” he said.

Jason also believes the long-term potential of the event extends far beyond Oakley’s high school career.

“We see this as an ongoing camp that will be held even after Oakley is done with high school—and that she will come home annually and still be there for the camp for many years to come.”

A Perfect Partnership at USM

The University of Southern Maine is hosting the event, a partnership that aligns perfectly with the school’s commitment to the mental well-being of student-athletes.

“USM has always put a strong emphasis on mental health,” said Head Coach Sarah Jamo. “We were one of the first programs in our conference to bring in a mental performance coach, and we’ve continued that momentum through partnerships with NAMI and the Wade Millett Foundation.”

Jamo knows that recovery, not perfection, is the foundation of success in softball.

“There’s so much pressure on student-athletes to be perfect, which is a ridiculous standard. In softball, there will be a lot of failure. We preach that the ability to recover is what leads to success.”

As a former athlete and now coach, Jamo appreciates how this camp is helping reshape the conversation.

“Events like this help us recalibrate to our why. They emphasize support systems and remind players they’re not alone.”

What Campers Can Expect

This year’s event includes two sessions:

• Session I: Pitching & Catching Clinic (9–10:15 a.m.)

  • Led by Julie Roy (pitching instructor) and Emily “Scrappy” Hutchins, current catcher at SMCC

  • Limited to 30 pitchers and 30 catchers

• Session II: Hitting & Defense Clinic (10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.)

  • Open registration

Every camper will receive a 2025 Mental Edge Softball Camp T-shirt, thanks to support from loyal sponsors.

College programs committed to participate this year include:

• Southern Maine Community College

• Husson University

• UMaine-Orono

• UMaine-Farmington

• St. Joseph’s College

• University of Southern Maine

• Bates College

The camp will run rain or shine, with USM’s indoor Field House as the backup facility.

A Message for the Next Generation

At the heart of the camp is the hope that young athletes walk away feeling stronger—not just as players, but as people.

“First and foremost, softball is a game. And games should be fun,” said McLeod. “I hope everyone involved leaves with a better feeling about themselves and learns how to draw positives from every opportunity during a practice, game, or season.”

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COMING SOON: Class of 2029 1st and 2nd teams to be released in July 2025 – stay tuned for more information!

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