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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: TORI TROTTER
Howard-committed OF Tori Trotter recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about ai Bandits 18U-Breer, yoga, speed and agility training, flexibility, Alliance Nationals, the Batbusters, Howard, psychiatry, Rochelle Rahal, Kendrick Lamar, “Friends” and violin.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Tori Trotter
Hometown: Lacey, WA
High School: Timberline High
Club Team: ai Bandits 18U-Breer
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-foot-5
Position: OF
Nickname: Tor
Twitter: @ToriTrotter2023
Honors: National Honor Society.
High School Highlights/Spring Stats: Golden Bat Award for two years in a row and postseason MVP last year, led the state in batting average and on-base percentage last year, All-Area catcher back-to-back years, team captain of high school team last year and 1st Team All-State last year. 580, 4 HRs, 2 triples, 10 doubles, 28 runs and 25 RBIs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? The ai Bandits are a fairly new travel organization that has grown from having two (teams) to currently having (eight) teams. I joined the Bandits my first year of 16U and have been coached by Joe Breer ever since (Joe is the head of the organization). My first year on the Bandits (also the Bandits first year as an organization) we placed second at PGF Nationals in the Platinum division. The Bandits are all about providing a competitive and learning environment that constantly strives for greatness. At the Bandits, we constantly push ourselves to the limit and are always looking for more once we get there. We work hard and it feels great to be a part of something new and up-and-coming and help this organization build a name for itself as well as bring more respect to
softball that comes out of the Northwest. I love being a Bandit and I love my amazing teammates and my coaches. Here at the Bandits, I have made many lifelong friends.
What are some of your training methods/training routines? I work out at the gym multiple days a week and I practice with my team three-four times a week as well as doing individual work outside of that. I also consistently do yoga as well as speed and agility training. Working out is one of my favorite things because it helps clear my mind.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? This fall, I am focusing on improving my flexibility and overall strength this fall.
Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals this summer? This summer, at Alliance Nationals my team and I competed against some of the top teams in the nation and ended up finishing in the Elite 8 of the Tier 2 division. Our last game at Alliance this summer was a long battle that lasted 12 innings. Unfortunately, we lost by one run but it has become on of my most memorable games.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? Over the summer, Batbusters or any Mojo team that we played was probably our toughest competition because of the talent they had all throughout their team.
Can you talk about your decision to commit to Howard? Over this past year, I went to many camps as well as a few visits. For me, Howard was the first camp that I have been to where not only did I have fun, but I felt at home as well. Howard is a place where I can be a part of something upcoming that is going to change the way that people look at HBCUs. When I talked with Coach (Tori) Tyson, I loved the vision that she had in mind for not only my future, but Howard’s softball future as well. Overall, Howard checked off all the boxes for me (location, campus vibe, amazing coach, lively team atmosphere, good education, feels like family/home) and then when I knew Howard was a I already felt like I was at home and me and coach Tyson had similar mindsets. I knew Howard was the place for me. Mainly, though it was because Howard Feels like home, I am beyond excited to be a Bison and cannot wait to get started!
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am currently interested in becoming a psychiatrist with a specialty in working with children. Mental health is something that is really important to me and it is something that I really want to be able to help others figure out what might be going on, that way they can start the steps to getting better. I would also love the chance to help advocate for athletes as well because I feel like they often get overlooked when it comes to mental health issues.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports super hero would definitely have to be my aunt, Rochelle Rahal. She played D1 softball at UW with Coach Heather Tarr and she has always been there for me, giving me tips and tricks and it has always been amazing to talk with her about her softball experience. She has always been someone that I have strived to be like on the softball field.
What’s the best hype song and why? My favorite hype song is “Family Ties” by Kendrick Lamar. I can’t really explain it, but from the moment I hear the start of (that) song, a smile is on my face and I am ready to go. I feel like I could take on any challenge after hearing that song.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge watch is definitely either “Friends” or “Grey’s Anatomy.” These are both shows that I can watch repeatedly for hours at a time and never get bored of.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can play the violin and I am a first-degree black belt. I also play catcher for high school.
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