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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: HAYDEN KYNE
C/1B/3B Hayden Kyne, #47 in the 2025 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Lady Magic-Walling, military kid and family support, batting cage, defensive practice, PGF Nationals, Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2025-Kemp, medical field, Serena Williams, Eminem, “Survivor” and Sudoku.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Hayden Kyne
Hometown: Vacaville, CA
High School: Vacaville High
Club Team: Lady Magic 16U-Walling
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-7
Position: C/1B/3B
Nickname: Yea-Yea
Twitter: @HaydenKyne
Honors: #47 in the 2025 Extra Elite 100; named to the All-Summer Team by Extra Inning Softball; and Honorable Mention Monticello Empire All-League.
Travel Ball Highlights/Summer Stats: .514 AVG, 1.495 OPS, 70 ABs, 36 hits, 11 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HRs, 19 runs, 31 RBIs, .993 fielding percentage and 5 of 7 caught stealing.
High School Highlights/Stats: .359 AVG, .417 OBP, .531 SLG, .948 OPS, 64 ABs, 23 hits, 5 doubles, 2 HRs, 19 runs, 14 RBIs, 8 SBs, .977 fielding percentage and 4 of 6 caught stealing.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I started on All American Sports Academy with Coach (Steve) Walling when I was 9 years old. We changed to a few different organizations as a team and ultimately ended up with the Lady Magic family last fall. I also met Coach Lindsey Munoz when I was 9 as she was my catching and hitting coach. I have looked up to her for as long as I can remember. When our team made the move to Lady Magic, I loved that I would be able to finish my high school journey wearing a Magic jersey and representing NorCal. Coach Walling has been a massive part of my success and taught me how to understand the game as a catcher and hitter. My extensive knowledge of the game is directly from him. Coach Walling and the rest of the staff have always created an environment that thrives in success because they build a winning culture that makes us want to leave it all out on the field together.
Can you tell me about your family background and how they are involved in your softball career? My softball journey started in Pensacola, FL, when I was 6 (years old). I was initially doing cheer for the local football team, but it didn’t seem to capture me. My cheer coach introduced me to softball and I immediately fell in love. Being a military kid, moving has made growing up very hard. Every 2-3 years, I had to move and start over. In my first 10 years, I have lived in San Diego, Mississippi, Florida and Vacaville. Starting over every time has made me who I am today. Softball allowed me to start over because there is a common language and way to play the game, regardless of where you are from. My dad finally retired from the Navy when I was 10, so we could settle down in one place, so my brother and I could live an everyday life. My dad has always been my coach on the field and in life. He has given so much to help me be the player I have become. Currently, he is on Coach Walling’s staff, and I love sharing this experience with him. My mom and brother have always supported me on the long trips to Colorado, SoCal, and many different camps. I wouldn’t be who I am today without their support. Softball is a family sport in the Kyne household.
What are some of your training methods/training routine? My favorite part of my training is my batting cage at home. I have to thank my mom for giving up the garage for her car, so we could put a cage in the garage. It has made training so much easier with the crazy schedule. Sometimes my dad and I will be there at midnight because that is the only time we can get together. The following best tool is the Rapsodo. I love how it gives me spin rate, exit velo and a video of where the ball travels. This makes hitting in the cage so much better. My last training aide is the WinReality. It helped so much when I broke my wrist and thumb last year on a play at the plate. I could train my eyes and reaction time to identify pitches and location. My routine is hitting 4-5 nights a week on tournament weeks and I hit 2-3 times when we have an off weekend. It’s hard to balance school, life and softball, but that’s what it will take.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? I want to work on a few things on the defensive side this fall. First, I want to drop my pop time to sub 1.7, and second I want to work on getting better at my secondary position of first base. I have a good knowledge and understanding of the position, but I want to feel more comfortable.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this summer? Last summer at Nationals was pretty exciting. It was my first Nationals with colleges in the stands, creating a little more pressure than previous ones. We played some outstanding teams this year and unfortunately finished 9th. I most remember a game vs. Atlanta Vipers-Tamborra where we got down 10-0 after three (innings), and we were facing a mercy rule. Each inning, we chipped away and fell short 10-9. I loved staying with my teammates in a hotel for a week off the field. It helps build a bond with each other and create lasting memories.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? We have played a lot of good teams over the past years, but the best was the Birmingham (Thunderbolts Premier 2025)-Kemp team. They are coached well, have really good players and hit well.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I want to be a nurse or doctor after college. I specifically want to help children.
Who is your sports hero and why? Serena Williams is my sports hero because she has used her success to bring awareness and assistance to help kids, especially in Africa. I love that she never gives up on the court. I am the same way on the field. I finished a game with a broken thumb on my catching hand and a torn hamstring.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Till I Collapse” by Eminem. This song is my favorite hype song because I love what it means. I work hard every day in the gym, the cage, the field and the classroom. To be the best, you must work till you collapse, then pick yourself up and go again.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Survivor.” I love how the show takes people out of their comforts and tests them physically, mentally and emotionally. In some ways, it’s much like softball. To win the game, we have to outwit, outlast and outplay our opponents.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I am good at doing Sudoku puzzles, so that might be my secret skill. It’s not a talent, but reading is my favorite hobby other than playing softball.
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