RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” – Albert Einstein
“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only… – Jesus Christ, James 1:22 (New Testament)
The Missouri Class 4A playoffs on Saturday didn’t go as junior pitcher/hitter Kyleigh Villarreal had hoped; her Rockwood Summit (Missouri) High team lost in the semi-finals by one run, 4-3, on a heart-breaking over-the-fence home run in the 9th inning.
Still, in her admirable way of finding the positive in any tough situation, Kyleigh admitted: “I’m devastated but not disappointed. We played well, I pitched well. We were tied 3-3 for six innings and definitely left everything we had on the field, but placing third… that is an achievement.”
In light of what’s been a topsy-turvy, upside down year on and off the field, she added: “Despite everything that’s happened, we were so darn happy to play regardless.”
Yes, there has been a lot that’s happened in the world this year: from a global pandemic to natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires and hurricanes to social unrest and the loss of confidence in, well, ourselves as a society.
This year has been one for the ages… and that’s not necessarily a good thing.
Yet, for Kyleigh, the more she’s had to overcome personally, the more she has stepped up to make a difference not just to those in her immediate circle, but to many across the U.S. and even the world.
The Fenton, Missouri student-athlete just turned 17 on August 2 and has a year to go before she’ll step foot on a college campus, but, wow, what an accomplished life of giving and service she’s already provided!
- Published book author?… Yes, with sales in the thousands of a book titled “More Than a Game -13 Keys to Success for Teen Athletes On and Off the Field” that she wrote at age 12… and donated the earnings to help others.
- Humanitarian? … Yes, she has been a big part of one country’s national softball team travelling to play other international programs.
- Crisis volunteer? … Yes, she’s helped raise money and donations for those impacted by natural disasters, working alongside softball luminaries such as Jennie Finch, who Kyleigh knows personally.
- Inspiring young leader?… Absolutely! As Mandi Balduf, the Area Director of National Scouting Report for Illinois and St. Louis says simply and succinctly, “This is a special kid. Kyleigh is connected and has a lot to give to the world. She has a giant heart and a work ethic to match.”
- Softball standout?… Yes again… she’s a pretty darn good softball player who is getting recruiting attention from DI, DII and programs from other levels.
What makes this young Midwesterner’s tale even more remarkable is the fact that she’s had such great success despite having to deal with over 100 surgeries on her throat, recurring operations that take place every month or so and has left Kyleigh with a permanently raspy voice.
“She’s usually scratchy and struggles after a surgery,” says Mandi when asked if the athlete could talk for an interview earlier in October. “It’s best at those times to write her.”
Thought she may not be at her best vocally, which Kyleigh readily recognizes, she doesn’t let it slow her down on the field. For her high school team earlier in October, she had surgery on a Wednesday and pitched a 15-0 shutout the next day.
“The surgeries and pushing through them is what motivates me,” the Class of 2022 grad states. Still, she says people can be insensitive, although—again, making the best of a tough situation—Kyleigh sees it as a chance to educate others.
“People can be rude, but I really believe ignorance of the situation causes that. Some think I have just cheered and yelled too much…I can do that too! Or (my voice is because of) a bad case of laryngitis. I try to take the time to explain my condition, and I end up earning their respect instead of their cruelty. Again, I keep a pretty positive circle of friends that I can rely on and depend on so as I have gotten older it hurts less and I educate more.”
On the tail end of her 11-4 season for the Summit Falcons, Kyleigh is appreciative of the fall season that has come to a finish, but excited for her future, including a promising 2021 campaign with her St. Louis Force travel ball team.
“I have a great group of girls on both travel team and my high school team,” the pitcher/second baseman and outfielder says. “I have four of my besties on both. They are my rock.”
Click HERE to see Kyleigh featured in a local St. Louis show called The Thread STL with host Tim Ezell (she appears at the 2:00 mark).
Having to go to the hospital as much as she does has given Kyleigh the opportunity to help others.
“I go to St Louis Children’s Hospital,” she begins, “and my doctor is David Molter… he’s the best! I’m part of Child life Services, which works with the Teen Life Council and is part of the St. Louis Children’s hospital volunteer program for teens. This group’s mission is to make a better place for teens that are confined to the hospital, advise hospital staff on issues important to teens, improve and plan activities for patients. We plan things like a hospital prom and quarterly teen nights.”
As an example of what Kyleigh and her fellow volunteers do to help those in the hospital, this video shows some of happy faces who benefit from their work:
But Kyleigh’s amazing help to others hasn’t been limited to just the local St. Louis hospital.
Four years ago, the then 12-year-old got to work with some of the key leaders in the softball world including Joni Frei from Canada, who became the head softball coach for the Uganda National Team.
Kyleigh learned of Joni’s work with the Uganda team and looked to help support the African team any way she could.
The pre-teen decided to write a book and use the proceeds from its sale to help support the Ugandans. The book, titled “More Than a Game -13 Keys to Success for Teen Athletes On and Off the Field,” was published in March of 2016 on Amazon and, to date, has sold over 6,000 copies.
“I sold 700 books (at that time) earning over $10,000 plus $1,000 in selling Uganda jewelry,” Kyleigh adds of her efforts to help the aspiring team. “We raised more in equipment donations and, combined with other fundraising from Canadian sponsors, we together raised $45,000 to get the team to Canada.”
And the Missouri native got creative in finding ways to help raise money for her new friends who she said became “like sisters to me.”
“I went everywhere to get donations,” she laughs. “Thrift stores, asking fellow athletes and teams, through social media requests. By the time all of the equipment was sent, we mailed off no less than 200 large boxes. Through my pitching coach, Jim Greiner, Glovesmith sent new gloves, balls and buckets and a local business that was going out of business donated some items that they decided not to liquidate.”
“I also went to yard sales and if they had sports equipment that they had left over, I asked if they would donate if they did not sell.”
Kyleigh even flew up to the 2016 Softball World Championships in Surrey, British Columbia, to serve as the team’s bat girl (you can read more on the Uganda softball team’s journey in this CBC article).
She has clear memories of experiences from that international event that she’ll treasure always.
“Having Jackie Traina from Team USA hunt me down to buy a book,” she recalls as a top highlight. “Just being in the presence of so many great athletes was great although the top memory was seeing the joy of the game from a team (Uganda) that appreciated an opportunity to play on a world stage. That’s my dream too. And they allowed me to share in theirs.”
From the big initial success of More Than a Game, the young softballer saw the value of sharing her journey of overcoming her medical obstacles and how she has dealt with trials on and off the field.
“When we did the book launch I told my story,” the athlete states, “and received so many encouraging comments that I decided that, if I can make an impact on adults at the book launch, perhaps more athletes need to hear it. I wrote a book taking things I had learned, situations I went through and all of the lessons learned in my leadership program to help others. One habit I have is that I keep journals every day. I write the best and the worst of each aspect of my day. I celebrate the good and write down how I could have made the not-so-good better. Once I write it, I leave it… but I learn from it.”
Doing so much to help others has made Kyleigh some friends in high places… those who are legends of the game who see the big heart the young athlete has to help others. One of those: perhaps the most famous fastpitch softball player ever, Jennie Finch.
“I have known Jennie since I was 9,” Kyleigh says, “because I went to her camps every year. My earliest memory (with Jennie) outside of Team USA game was when I was 9; I have pictures we would take with her and her medals. I remember when she handed me the Silver medal, I spent at least 15 minutes explaining to her that I could only hold the Gold if she did not mind. I wanted to touch the one I was aiming for!”
That relationship legend and young humanitarian continues to this day.
“I see her once a year at various things,” the young player explains. “Then when the Hurricane hit, she sent a message out saying how bad things were and I could see the pain and tears of one of my heroes so I went to work to help. Luckily, someone else in the softball world, Kris Caldwell, was trying to send relief too, so we worked together and with others to get as much pulled together as we could, I was able to collect 248 cases of water to contribute and went with Kris to deliver them. We were rewarded with homemade Gumbo at Jennie’s home… it was the best ever!”
As far as the future goes, Kyleigh will continue to play softball and look to compete at the collegiate level. She is exploring her options.
“I have been in contact with several colleges,” she states, “and continue to be looking for the right fit. Softball is important but I’m looking for the right academic fit as well. Although COVID-19 has made things a little more challenging than I think it would have been without, I have spent time researching colleges and doing virtual tours to nail down what I am looking for.”
Kyleigh says she will play softball as long as she can but has definite plans on what to do when she hangs up the cleats.
“Initially I wanted to be a specialist in taking care of children with the disease that I have,” she begins. “I think I will do it in phases: start with Nursing and then work on the end goal. I want to do Doctors without Borders one day as well.”
Wherever she goes—and whatever she does—the student-athlete with a huge heart wants to make sure she leaves a legacy of helping others.
“Let me explain it like this,” Kyleigh concludes. “If my disease turned into something bad—and there is always that risk—then my life needs to account for something. God blessed me with my life, and I do not want to waste it. Everything I do should honor God, so whatever life has in store for me, I plan on living it to make a difference.”
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
*****
Here are more insights on the amazing background and accomplishments from the high school junior herself…
Where Helping Others Began…
My grandparents raised me as their own. I lost my grandfather to cancer September 26, 2019. He was my hero, fought courageously, and never failed to miss an opportunity for teachable moments.
He and my grandmother (mom) raised me to always be kind to others and look out for others. He was my rock and my strength and my hero. He said I could do or be anything I wanted, but never forget to be kind.
That doing things for others from your heart was more rewarding than anything the world could ever give you. And he was right. I miss him greatly, but now I do things for others in his honor.
First Memory of Softball
I was almost five years old when I witnessed my first softball game.
It was at ABC Park in St Ann, Missouri. I can still remember the excitement of the 6-0 game. Leaving that park, with team-signed batting helmet I was never really the same.
It lit a fire and appreciation of a sport that I have grown to love. At age 5, watching athletes like Monica Abbott, Crystl Bustos, Cat Osterman, Jessica Mendoza, Lisa Fernandez and Jennie Finch… I could go on forever. They were amazing athletes.
As soon as I was ready to play ball, I did but it was not the experience I had hoped for.
Medical Issues… & Over 100 Surgeries
I really struggled with breathing and diagnosed with everything from allergies to asthma. But I was not going to let that stop me from learning and playing, until one day it did.
I was not getting enough air and went to a doctor that finally diagnosed me with RRP and 98 percent blockage in my airway. RRP—which stands for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis—causes small tumors that can grow around your vocal cords and into airway passage.
There is no cure currently, but I have out-patient surgeries every 30-45 days, to make sure that my airway is clear as the tumors grow back.
In between surgeries I have a very raspy voice. So far, I have had over 100 surgeries and I have never missed a game or practice because of it.
Helping at the Hospital
Because of my frequency there, I have become part of a group “Childlife Council” where we plan things, Christmas and birthdays for the sick children at the hospital, even proms for the older teenagers. We plan things all year to make their stay or treatments a little more bearable.
Most people I know would give up, but that is not me.
Despite of the teasing and the constant jokes of not having a voice I have made it a personal mission to educate people of this rare disease. I have embraced what makes me different. I have been given a gift. The Gift of Choice, and not allowing my circumstance to define who I am.
It was from those experiences, that I decided to surround myself with people that are positive and that allowed me to choose how I let things that affect my life and how that impacted me.
I decided to control the controllables.
Called to Serve
I searched out people that would elevate my knowledge of the game. It was at a Jennie Finch camp that my heart was called to serve.
After hearing Sunday service led by Leah Amico and Jennie Finch and explaining how like our softball equipment protected us in games, we needed to wear the Armor of God to face the trials of life.
It opened my heart and my eyes to see things in a different light.
At the age of 12, I joined an MVP Leadership Program and I was featured in a chapter of a book called “A League of Your Own” along with some other athletes such as Karen Seimears, Chez Sievers, Stacie Mahoe, and Jamie Lobpries.
I received many favorable comments and encouragement. Standing in front of people telling my story, you could hear a pin drop. As everyone intently listened to every word. In the room was Coach Matt Lisle and Coach Diane Baker and I was encouraged to continue to write and that’s what prompted my book.
For my leadership program I decided to write from all of the seminars, classes and lessons I have learned in hopes that I could help others that struggled and allow them to see that they could control their story and achieve things too.
Making a Difference
I believe the first time I realized I was making a difference was receiving a letter from a teacher in Texas that used my book as a lesson plan for kids that were struggling for various reasons.
Her letter shared how it helped her motivate her students.
I have never been more proud.
Uganda National Team
From that experience I met Coach Joni Frei from Canada, who was trying to raise money to create a National Women’s Softball team to go to the first ever Open World Championship in 2016. I began selling my book to raise money to get them from Uganda to Canada.
Not only did I along with others get them to Canada, I went and had the experience of participating in practices and watching them play.
Seeing so many National teams playing each other with so much respect for the game and each other. I saw teams that did not have proper cleats donate their own to teams to allow them the best opportunity to play with the correct equipment.
Seeing that kind of love in this game regardless of where you are from and what language you speak. I left with the purest of joy that comes from being part of this universal softball family. A treasured moment in my life.
Jackie Robinson Day
That same team reached out in 2019 as Uganda was going to honor Jackie Robinson Day where they had a goal to equip over 26 schools and 400 youth with the equipment necessary to learn our sport.
I was able to secure enough donated equipment to meet the demands of their need.
Working with the U.S Embassy to get the equipment to their destination for the day. It was a Huge success and many children are now able to learn the sport that I love. Receiving the letter from the Embassy of my efforts was such an honor.
On August 20, Hurricane Laura devastated parts of Louisiana.
All it took was a message from Jennie Finch to see the sadness of what she was witnessing in her community to once again ignite my passion to help. With Kris Caldwell and others, the coordination of getting water donations and supplies began.
What happened was amazing as not only did we fill the truck to capacity, but we had enough to get to other areas affected with Hurricane Sally that was quick to follow.
The resilient spirit of the people there was impactful and the gratefulness of something costing less than $5 was a lesson that I will keep with me a lifetime.
Spiritual Growth
When I feel in love with the game at age 5, I never knew that one day I would be considered a friend to those I admired that day.
I never knew that I could learn from them not only the sport, but spiritual growth that have equipped me with more love for the game and for people than I could ever imagine.
I have always known that I was created for a purpose. My great faith has proven that to me. I discovered that I can control how things affect my life. I am made for a purpose and nothing is beyond achievement.
Giving It My All
I have great dreams of playing college ball. I know it take hard work and commitment. I will never be one to not give it all I have. It means too much to me. A person can choose to let their circumstances define them or allow those circumstances to inspire them to do great things.
I think it starts by helping someone else through my own story, impacting them by my own words, positive actions and just caring for others making a difference.
I think most of all I have learned that you don’t have to have a voice….to have a voice.
— Kyleigh Villarreal, Fenton, Missouri, Class of 2022