RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Shelby Westler grew up in a small Midwest town, started playing softball in a local rec league at 8 years old and never really had aspirations beyond that.
But her talents on the softball field were obvious early on, she quickly ended up on top club teams and it eventually led to her committing to Ohio University last week.
“I committed to Ohio University because of all the exposure and opportunities I’ve had, and it’s all thanks to this entire journey and the game of softball itself,” Westler said.
The junior who plays for the Beverly Bandits-Richards club team was ranked in the 2022 Extra Elite 100 and her bio read, in part:
Shelby’s forte is her versatility. She does it all and does it well, be it playing catcher or the left side of the infield. She has been moved to third base but can play anywhere at a high level. She has a great stick and for River Valley (Caledonia, Ohio) High and as a freshman she earned 1st Team All-Conference honors by hitting .575 with 25 RBIs on 46 hits in 26 games. Shelby has a 1.88 pop time and has impressed in the field as a leader and competitor succeeding against the best.
Shelby also earned All-Summer Team recognition after she hit .464 (52 for 112), stole 27 bases and six home runs.
“Softball is such a blessing to me because it takes girls like me, from a little town in the middle of nowhere who could have only dreamed to be where I am today, and makes dreams come true.”
“I’ve worked so hard in my life to get where I am today, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve become a better player and person thanks to all of the people who have helped me through this journey: my parents, who I literally cannot even begin to thank for all the time and money they’ve contributed, and to my friends and family for supporting me.”
“All of my past and present teammates and sisters,” she concluded, “they have made the game a huge piece of my life that I’ll never forget, and the memories we have together will stay with me forever. All of the highs and lows, the laughs and smiles, the blood, sweat, and tears, it’s all worth it in the end.”
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RECRUITING SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: SHELBY WESTLER
Hometown: Marion, Ohio
High School: River Valley High of Caledonia, Ohio
Club Team: Beverly Bandits DeMarini-Richards 16U
Graduation Year: 2022
Height: 5-foot-6
Position: 3B/MI/UT
Nickname: Shelb, Boogie/Boog
Twitter: @ShelbyWestler
Honors: Academic excellence and honors, 4.0 GPA, 28 ACT and pursuing graduating with honors
High School Highlights/Stats: As a freshman, led her varsity high school team in all offensive categories, 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-Conference (COVID cancelled sophomore season)
Favorite Pro Team: Cleveland Indians
Favorite Movie: “Jackass”
Favorite TV Show to binge: “The Office”
Do you have a secret talent? Juggling, painting and music.
Can you talk about your recruiting journey? How did you start off in softball and how did you end up committing to Ohio University?
I started off in a little rec league in my town when I was 8 (years old), honestly, with no plans to do anything more than that. I was pretty good compared to the other girls, but paid no mind to that. I just loved getting to play with the girls and have a good time. At one of our games, Mike Slob, who was coaching an 18U Diamonds team at the time, approached my dad and started just talking about softball, and after the game, my dad told me he’d been told there were travel ball tryouts for a 10U team that he wanted me to go to, so I said “Okay, I guess we can try that.” Tryouts went great and I made the team and met some lifelong sisters of mine.
I was thriving in a competitive environment that I loved. The year after that, Mike’s team had aged out, so he came down and took our team. He coached us for the next two years, and by then he had changed our team over to the Lasers, knowing there were more opportunities for us with them. I made some lifelong friends on this team, and Mike changed my perception of the game: not only should you play to win, but you also have to enjoy what you’re working so hard for. He always said, “It all starts with a smile,” and he didn’t want anyone to be less than ecstatic to be playing. He ended up retiring after his second season with us, and the new coach that took us put us in the Outlaws organization.
We had kept on improving so much that we deserved bigger and better opportunities. Our second year with Outlaws, we got coach Lee Richards, who has had a huge impact on my life. He is an amazing role model, and he’s taught the team and I so much not only about the game, but about life. He created a lot of opportunities for the girls and I, so much so that after a couple years with Outlaws he took us to the Bandits organization, where we also had coach Larry Mercurio. Larry and Lee coaching together is like a power team, both of them working their hardest and sacrificing so much to move us to the next level in the game, and also in our lives. Lee always said, “I’ll love you as a person first, then an athlete,” and Larry is the same way.
What were some of the things you were looking for in a college?
I wanted to go to a school that wanted me… a school that if for some reason softball were to be taken from me, I’d still love to go there. Finances were very important. The “perfect” distance from home — Far enough away to create some independence but also close enough to where if I want to head home for a weekend to see mom and dad I could. Competitive environment. A coaching staff that makes me feel comfortable.
How much advice did you get before you made your decision and what was the best advice you got?
I got quite a bit of advice, especially with the crazy Covid-19 times right now, and the best advice I got was to “go where you feel wanted” and “go with the best fit for YOU.”
How was recruiting in the COVID-19 era? Were you able to make any visits of go to any camps?
Recruiting is already a crazy time, and COVID really added a layer of craziness. I did not get to take any official visits anywhere or go to any camps this year (Luckily, I’d been to a lot of camps in the years past), and it just made all of the processes different for everyone, even the coaches and programs themselves.
Did you want to stay close to home or go off on your own and how much did that factor into your decision?
I definitely was not extremely interested in going anywhere further than 8 or so hours away because my family and I are extremely close, and it was already going to be difficult just going to college, let alone being across the country, so you could definitely say that staying somewhat close to home factored into my decision.
Was it important for you to choose a big-time program or did you want to help build a program?
OU already has a great program, and I’m hoping to be a positive contributor and add to it!
What can you tell us about your future coaches at Ohio University?
They are great people! They’re very knowledgeable about the game, and they all share a competitive nature that I am excited to be a part of!
What do you plan to major in or study when you get to college?
I am in the process of deciding whether I want to major in sports medicine or environmental science.
Outside of softball,l what were the main reasons behind your decision?
I get to go to school with another girl from my current team, and since it is relatively close to home, I will know a lot of people at school there.
What is the most important thing/object from home that you will take with you to college?
Definitely, family pictures and pictures with friends.
— Carlos Arias, Extra Inning Softball (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)