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Here’s our TLI for Monday, Jan. 23, 2023:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: AMAYAH DOYLE
Tennessee-bound 3B/SS Amayah Doyle, #6 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Intensity National-KOD, PLAN IT OUT, PGF Nationals, Arizona Storm National-Mathis, Tennessee, medical field, Jackie Robinson, Toby Mac, “The Blacklist” and songwriting.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Amayah Doyle
Hometown: Carterville, IL
High School: Carterville High
Club Team: Intensity 18U National-KOD
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-10
Position: 3B/SS
Nickname: Mayah
Twitter: @42Amayah
Honors: #6 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100; #1 Infielder in the Class of 2024; All-Conference; All-South; 1st Team All-State in Basketball and Softball; and Southern Illinoisan Softball Player of the Year.
Travel Ball Fall Stats: 17 HRs, .400 AVG and .922 SLG.
High School Highlights/Stats: 18 HRs (broke school record for most home runs in a single season), 54 RBIs, 24 SBs, .587 AVG and 62 runs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? My Travel Team, NJ Intensity, is based out of New Jersey and it is a great organization. Last summer was my first year with them. A dear family friend informed us that Coach Kevin (O’Donnell) was interested in me joining his organization. It was a great leap of faith knowing that this was a big summer for me and I trusted God’s plan and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The first encounter with the team was awesome. I didn’t know the girls but they greeted me with open arms. It was really something special and I will always be grateful for this. They quickly went from teammates to family. Coach Britt (O’Donnell), Coach Phil (Scimone) and Coach Kevin are so supportive and wonderful coaches.
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? One of my suggestions or thoughts with the training method is PLAN IT OUT. I am a planner and when I write my goals or a-to-do-list. I strive to get it done. The satisfaction of a checkmark makes me feel accomplished. Something else that we often forget to train is our mind. We spend hours on training physically, but we often miss the mental part, which ends up trying us in a game or adverse situations. A (of) couple things that I do to improve my mental game is I use my affirmations. I wrote a couple (of) positive affirmations for myself that I repeat and believe. Humble is the way, but it is okay to speak the confidence you need to get you ready for the game or event that you might pursue. I also use my Daily Devotions app and My Bible app. This helps me always because, “I can do all things through Christ which Strengthens me,” Phillipians 4:13. Reading my devotionals and bible gives me peace which passeth all understanding and joy in the midst of adversity.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this summer? This past summer was my first time at PGF. I loved the location and amazing weather. PGF offers great competition and I was able to compete against some of the best pitchers in the nation. It was a rewarding experience and I am so grateful for how my team performed at such a high level. We finished in the top 16, which was very special.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? Our toughest opponent that we played against would be the Arizona Storm 18U (National-Mathis). There whole team was committed to Power 5 schools and we played them about four times during summer and we couldn’t seem to win. However, every time we played them, we got better and better. The last time we played them the final score was 1-0.
Can you tell us why you decided to commit to Tennessee? I decided to commit to Tennessee because I felt that it was where Jesus was leading me. In all things, I seek Christ first to make sure that I am traveling the path He would have me to travel. In addition, I picked Tennessee because of the culture, the team/coaches as well as the amazing opportunities academically and athletically. When I stepped on campus, it felt like “Home Sweet Home” to me, “GOOD OLE ROCKY TOP, Rocky Top Tennessee.”
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am interested in the medical field and becoming a physician assistant. I love to help others and make them feel special. Right now, I am currently working on graduating with my Associate of Science Degree by the time I graduate from high school. It has always been my passion to pursue a field that will impact the lives of others.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero would definitely be Jackie Robinson. I am number 42, not only because it is my sister’s number (24) switched around, but because it was Jackie Robinson’s number. He broke the color barrier in baseball. He was relentless and he pushed through when it seemed like the whole world was against him. He showed true character of how to persevere and overcome great adversity and how to yet be successful in-spite of the times that he lived in. That really inspires me as a young, black, Christian athlete to push through even when people may say I can’t make it. However, I know that if God be for me, all things are possible.
What’s the best hype song and why? My hype song would be “The Goodness” by Toby Mac. The song truly expresses God’s goodness in my life and how He has continued to bless me. All that I am is because of Him and I am grateful for the ability He has blessed me with.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? When I have the opportunity to watch TV, I love to watch “The Blacklist.” It offers suspense, action and a great storyline.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? A talent that no one really knows I have is I sing and write songs. I have copyrighted 10 songs and I look forward to recording them in the near future. I also love playing the piano and organ, which I am blessed to be the organist for my church.
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