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Here’s our TLI for Friday, Dec. 9, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: KATIE NORGARD
Uncommitted 3B/UT Katie Norgard, #21 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2026-Thompson, video review, PGF Nationals, Scenic City, the 16U age group, sports medicine, a close-knit family, Mike Tyson, Jay-Z, “Real Housewives” and baking cookies.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Katie Norgard
Hometown: Hartselle, AL
High School: Hartselle High
Club Team: Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2026-Thompson
Graduation Year: 2026
Height: 5-foot-5
Position/s: 3B/UT
Twitter: @KatieNorgard
Honors: USA All-American; #21 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100; #5 third baseman in the Class of 2026; and USSSA Select 30 invitee.
Travel Ball Fall Stats: .375 AVG, .900 SLG, .441 OBP, 3 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HRs, 16 RBIs, 23 runs and .914 fielding percentage.
High School Stats: .500 AVG, 1.128 SLG, .547 OBP, 8 doubles, 4 triples, 11 HRs, 47 RBIs and .840 fielding percentage.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to play college softball and I knew that the Birmingham Thunderbolts was a great organization for developing players into the collegiate level and I’m very fortunate to have had Coach Katelyn Boyd my first few years of joining the Bolts and I’m still very fortunate to have Coach Rocky (Thompson) helping me now.
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? I love the grind of training. I don’t use any go-to app, but do a lot of video review with my hitting coach at Out Front Hitting. We use HitTrax and post-game videos of my at-bats to continue to improve. I also train with BCI and they have helped me a ton with my overall strength, speed and agility. My only suggestion would be to find a coach that fits for you and make sure they are knowledgeable on the level of play that you are at and want to get to. I enjoy training because of the relationship I have with my coaches.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this summer? My experience at PGF Nationals was amazing!! I really enjoyed the competition and I loved the complex. I had so much fun!!
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? My favorite tournament this fall was Scenic City. I love the competition and I loved seeing so many college coaches there at our games!!
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? This fall, our coaches challenged us with playing all 16U events. We faced a lot of good teams. I would say that our toughest opponent was the 16U (division).
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m interested in going into sports medicine because I love being around sports and I like helping people and learning about different injuries.
What are you looking for in a future college? I’m looking for somewhere that I fit in and somewhere which has a good medical program. I’m also looking for a place where everyone is close and it’s like family.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is Mike Tyson. He’s not scared of anyone, he’s always confident, he’s great at what he does and he’s an all-around athlete.
What’s the best hype song and why? The best hype song is definitely “Big Pimpin” by Jay-Z or “Gimme the Loot” by Biggie Smalls. Those songs always make me feel pumped and make me feel like I can do anything.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to watch is “The Real Housewives” with my mom because it’s crazy to see all of the drama that they get into about dumb things.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I’m good at baking cookies.
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