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Here’s our TLI for Monday, Dec. 5, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: ANNIE NEWMAN
Uncommitted SS Annie Newman, #11 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Beverly Bandits 14U Premier-Norwood, mental game, PGF Nationals, Scenic City, education, somewhere that feels like home, Grace Lyons, “Vampire Diaries” and skeet shooting.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Annie Newman
Hometown: Daviess County, KY
High School: Daviess County High
Club Team: Beverly Bandits 14U Premier-Norwood
Graduation Year: 2026
Height: 5-foot-6
Position: SS
Nickname: Sue
Twitter: @annienewmann
Honors: #11 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100; PGF 14U Platinum national champion (2022); Varsity Defensive Award for High School (8th grade); and 4.0 GPA.
Travel Ball Fall stats: .352 AVG, .400 OBP, 31 hits, 8 doubles, 4 triples, 1 HR, 22 RBIs, 5 walks, .943 fielding percentage and 6 double plays.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I currently play on the Beverly Bandits-Norwood 14U travel team. I joined the team this fall permanently, but I played with them at the end of the summer for the PGF (14U Platinum) national tournament in California. I clicked with the girls on the team immediately. It was a great environment and I loved playing with such talent and competitiveness because I am competitive myself. I especially loved how fast the coaches and I bonded. This team pushes me to be better and grow as a softball player.
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? Throughout my years of playing softball, I’ve learned that putting in the work on and off the field is what it takes to improve as a player. This starts in the weight room to improve my strength, speed and agility and then also going to the field multiple times a week to hit and take ground balls. The mental part of the game is huge for me because I use my confidence to help me thrive at the plate. Over the last two years, my offensive game has grown due to my approach at the plate in being more patient and hitting pitches I can drive.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this summer? The PGF national tournament was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Winning it was a huge accomplishment. Every team there was competitive and loaded with talent. I enjoyed the crowds that the tournament produced and the bonding experience with all the players, coaches and parents. Our team had one goal in mind and we all knew what we were there to do and it showed in every game we played as we were undefeated the entire week. The week of becoming a national champion is something I can always look back on and be proud of.
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? Scenic City was my favorite fall tournament/showcase because there were lots of college coaches watching our games. This was my first experience with that much exposure. This showcase, our team played up a division in the 16U Super Pool and it was good for me to face challenging pitchers and players that have already experienced such exposure.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m really undecided right now what I want to do in the future, but lately I’ve been thinking about going into the field of teaching/education and possibly coaching. I really enjoy working with kids and helping others achieve their goals. I definitely see myself coaching softball in the future because of my love for the game and my competitive nature.
What are you looking for in a future college? My goal is to play college softball at the highest level and I’m looking for somewhere that feels like home. This, to me, means a place where my teammates are also my friends, a supportive team, coaches and environment, and a place I can contribute my strengths to as a player and be successful for my team.
Who is your sports hero and why? My hero is Grace Lyons, a player from (Oklahoma). She is an amazing shortstop and I love watching her compete. I follow her on social media and she inspires others to be good people and puts God first. She is a great role model and I strive to be like her.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? I don’t watch TV a lot, but if I’m going to binge on a break, my favorites would be “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Vampire Diaries.” Both shows have drama between characters and it keeps things interesting.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? In my free time, I love to shoot skeet with my Dad and my favorite time of the year is Dove Hunting season. It’s always fun out-shooting my Dad and his friends every year.
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