Get on board with Extra Inning Softball’s regular feature, The Last Inning!
We are scouring the Internet and social media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at info@extrainningsoftball.com and also los.extrainningsoftball@gmail.com.
Here’s our TLI for Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022…
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EXTRA SPOTLIGHT: CAIGAN CRABTREE
SS/2B/UT Caigan Crabtree, #129 in the Class of 2025, moved up from Texas Bombers Gold 12U-Crabtree to Texas Bombers Gold 14U-Malpass this fall and she remains on one of the top teams in the country.
The former USA All-American has upped her offseason training even more in anticipation of her freshman year at Melissa High in Texas.
EXTRA SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: CAIGAN CRABTREE
Hometown: Princeton, TX
High School: Melissa High
Club Team: Texas Bombers Gold 14U-Malpass
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-10
Position: SS/2B/UT
Nickname: Caig
Twitter: @Caiganjo2025
Honors: USA All-American, HPP Team, Most Athletic 7th and 8th grade year and varsity softball.
Travel Ball Highlights: Alliance Cup National Qualifier, Texas Gold Cup champions, Impact Gold Invite champions and has hit 17 home runs and 20 doubles since January 2021.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them?
I have been playing for the Bombers organization since second year 12U. My mom coached me up until this year and this fall I went to play in the Bombers Academy for Kristi Malpass. It has been an awesome experience and I am blessed to be able to play with some of the best players in Texas. My teammates are amazing, Coach Malpass is amazing, the organization is amazing and I am excited about the future.
Prepare Hard to take advantage of the opportunities that come knocking! @Los_Stuff @sixty_feetSB @SoftballMelissa @ExtraInningSB @SoftballConnect @BrenttEads @Gosset41 @LoneStarPrepsTX @IHartFastpitch @LegacyLegendsS1 @ImpactRetweets @now_d1 @bombers_academy @BombersTexas pic.twitter.com/VCvoZMMEcT
— Caigan Crabtree (@Caiganjo2025) December 1, 2021
What is your daily training routine in the winter?
I train really hard and have been trained to pay attention to the smallest details. I work four-six days a week. Three days a week I am on the bands and focus on my throwing and long toss. Two days a week I focus on plyometrics with my fielding drills to help me with my lateral movements and being faster with my feet. I take ground balls two- three days a week for reps or for perfection.
I hit four-five days — two days are tee work with drills, then two days will do front toss on the field and reps at D-Bat off machine. I also do Crossfit workouts four-five days a week. Ever since I can remember my mom and dad have preached to me “stay close to the best players in the country and I promise with your proper detailed work and goals you will shine and end up on top. TRUST IT and BE YOU.”
Monday Workout! No Pain- No improvement! Work harder! @Los_Stuff @sixty_feetSB @SoftballMelissa @ExtraInningSB @SoftballConnect @BrenttEads @Gosset41 @LoneStarPrepsTX @IHartFastpitch @LegacyLegendsS1 @ImpactRetweets @now_d1 @bombers_academy @BombersTexas pic.twitter.com/OqCEFd0yy2
— Caigan Crabtree (@Caiganjo2025) December 28, 2021
What have you added to your training schedule in the offseason? What have been the results?
I have really focused on my lateral speed work off the bat. I have added a ton of plyometric and diffeparent speed moves into my roll drills. This has helped me up the middle with my feet, getting a good first move and getting to balls faster. My first move jumps have been better and I have become more athletic. I have also started lifting heavier, which has helped me with power at the plate. Also, have to give a shout out to Coach Buchanan for helping me in the cages and with my bat.
What should we expect from your club team this summer?
I am so excited about the summer with my team. Our team is so talented all the way around. Our pitching is dominant, defensively we are good and our lineup is going to be so strong. We have so much power all the way through our lineup. I expect us to compete in the championship game of every tournament we play in. Our expectation is high and we started to mesh this fall.
What are your goals with your high school team this spring?
I am pumped for my first season in high school. My mom will be my coach for my high school team and we should go deep into the playoffs. Alex Starr, who pitches on Texas Bombers-Malpass with me will also play with me in high school. I love playing behind her in the field and she is one of the best out there. The high school team last year made it to the fourth round and they didn’t lose a single player. We have big-time power hitters, one of the best pitching staffs in the state and defensively will be solid. I am super excited and our expectation is to be in Austin, TX, at the state tournament the first weekend in June. GO CARDS!!!
Do you have a secret talent/skill?
Wake Surfing.
What’s your most memorable softball story?
I have so many great memories from my first home run to hitting multiple home runs in one game, the walk-off hits, but my favorite memories are the intense championship games playing for something. The dugout is loud, the energy is high and so many high fives. Those games I will never forget.
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*** Scroll down to read about News & Notes around the country and more commits including one to Michigan…
