Haylee Whittemore is a sophomore in high school making a name for herself as a softball player, multi-sport phenom, educator and team-player. She got into softball by playing baseball with her twin brother, but when he got into other interests, she made the move to softball. She made the U12 Team USA in Georgia allowing her the experience and honor of gracing the same field that hosts the College World Series.
Learning Through Softball
Haylee is a catcher for the ATI Vipers U16 team and she loves the experiences that softball has brought into her life.
“Every year it gets better and better and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Softball has taught me to believe in myself and never give up. The friendship and memories made will last a lifetime. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
A catcher by trade, she shares an admiration for the position that resonates with most others who’ve crouched behind the plate; she loves the ability to impact every single play and have a view of the entire field.
Her toughness behind the plate hardly supersedes her emphasis on enjoying the game, a balance and environment she strives to create with her teammates.
“I always go out of my way to talk to them and make sure they aren’t nervous and that they are having fun. Because ultimately, that’s what it’s all about: having fun.”
Whittemore prides herself on being a gracious and charismatic teammate not only on the diamond, but away from the game, too.
In addition to her successes as a player, Whittemore makes sure to pass along her skillset to the next generation of softball standouts, offering lessons in her spare time.
Promoting Body Positivity
In addition to playing softball, Haylee is a multi-sport athlete playing flag football, running track, and weight training. Of course involvement in so many competitive activities creates a busy life, but that’s what Whittemore wants.
“I think playing multiple sports is very important. It’s easily one of the best parts about my life. I love the differences each sport has. I know if I were to play only one sport, I would get burned out super quick and would want to quit.”
With playing other sports, Haylee dive into bodybuilding received mixed feelings from people in her past. She’s been on a mission to promote body positivity and prove others that doubt her wrong, while also uplifting others.
“Go lift more than the boys, go run faster than them, go work hard than them. Do this so that in the future its welcomed and one by one we can work to end the stigma.”
When asked if anyone special has helped her throughout her career, Haylee said, “Honestly, it’s the doubters, the haters, and the non-believers.”
Haylee Whittemore: proving the doubters, haters and non-believers wrong one hit, one rep and one day at a time.