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In Ozark, senior softball player Abby Ford can do a lot on the diamond.
“She can lay down a bunt any time she wants, she can slap, she’s worked hard on her chop slap and her power slap, when she’s rolling, she can hit some dingers out,” said Ozark Head Coach Jimmy Nimmo.
That may be true, but one skill in particular stands out.
“I’m fast. That’s what makes me good,” Abby said.
It’s fitting that Abby and her teammates wear red, because this Lady Tiger runs like The Flash.
“Standing still, just with a timer, the fastest I’ve timed is 2.49 [seconds],” Abby said.
That’s 2.49 seconds from home to first.
“In a game, actually swinging, it’s like 2.6 or 2.5, right around that time,” she added.
That speed is not limited to just offense, as Abby patrols centerfield.
“She can cover like 60-percent of the outfield, so we’re able to move our corners, our left and right fielders a little bit closer to the lines,” Nimmo said.
But this time last year, Abby thought she may have lost her speed for good because of an ACL injury sustained on the soccer field.
“Initially, I was in a lot of pain, but I also think I was freaking myself out because I knew I wasn’t going to be able to play softball for a long time,” Abby said.
So last season, she did the only thing she could.
“I accepted my role as becoming my team’s cheerleader. I wanted to help them in that way because I couldn’t help them on the field.”
That experience as a junior helped Abby learn how to be a leader.
“I want to show the younger girls on the team what a leader looks like, what a good teammate looks like so they can keep carrying it on and keep having successful seasons,” Abby said.
Meanwhile, this speedster continued to rehab behind the scenes, setting herself up for her senior year.
“I think I am stronger and I do think I am faster now,” Abby said.
“If there was a poster child for recovery from ACL surgery, it would be Abby Ford,” Nimmo added.
For her speed and determination, Abby Ford is this week’s Athlete of the Week.
Abby is committed to play softball at Missouri State next year.
