Since she was a little girl, softball has been Alysha Welch’s dream and today, as a member of the champion Milford Little League Junior Girl’s Softball team, she is able to eat, breathe and sleep the game. Although the girls fell to Pennsylvania in the regional finals, Welch has been nominated for the Youth Athlete of the Year Award where she could be featured in a 3Brand advertisement in “Sports Illustrated” and a prize of $25,000.
“What Welch loves most about softball is her teammates and the friends and family she has gained by playing,” her application reads. “She has had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people, and it has added so much value to her life. She also really enjoys helping the newer or younger players become the best players they can be and being able to share her love and passion about softball.”
According to Welch, her biggest inspiration is her father who passed away a few years ago. When her dad was younger, he also played ball and played slow-pitch softball as an adult. Welch lives every day to make her dad proud, saying he was and still is a huge part of her life. Welch cherishes the memories she has of playing catch in the backyard, going to his games and celebrating his wins as well as holding his hand when he lost.
“I know he is here with me in spirit and doing the same thing for me,” Welch said.
Her first home run is her proudest moment as she had worked hard during batting practice, not only during softball practice but at home.
“My coach preached that you practice like you play and I did just that,” Welch said. “I stepped up to bat and my hard work paid off. I kept my shoulder down, swung all the way through and the ball went soaring over the fence.”
Currently, Welch is second in her category for the Youth Athlete of the Year Award, which is sponsored by Sports Illustrated, V Foundation, 3Brand and Why Not You Foundation. Voting for her is free, but when combined with a donation, supports the V Foundation for Cancer Research as well as the Why Not You Foundation. Each dollar donated earns Welch an additional vote. Anyone can participate in the voting by visiting the Youth Athlete of the Year site. Voting ends August 7 at 7 PM PDT.
