2030 RHP/1B/3B Malloree Harr of the Frost Falcons joined the Line Drive Softball team and will be blogging about her experiences at the Space Coast Select 30 National Training Camp this weekend in Melbourne, FL.

Here’s her blog for Friday, Jan. 17:

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Day 1 Space Coast USSSA Select 30:

After a long 9-hour drive from Tennessee, I finally made it to USSSA Select 30 at 3 p.m. today, ready to kick off this exciting experience. The first stop was check-in where we received our swag bags. Inside, we found three jerseys, a water bottle, a visor and a notebook.

I came with a few of my Frost Falcon teammates, which was great because it gave us a chance to connect before diving into the action. The first order of business was metrics testing: grip strength, 20- and 40-yard dash, exit velocity, overhand velocity, broad jump and the 5-10-5 shuttle drill. It was intense, but also a fantastic way to gauge where we stand among the competition.

By 7 p.m. we were all gathered for a panel discussion featuring six professional athletes. It was incredibly insightful as each athlete shared their personal stories about how they navigated their paths to college and professional careers. One of the main takeaways was the importance of attitude — both on and off the field. They stressed that being a great teammate and standing out through your work ethic and leadership can often make the difference when it comes to recruitment.

A major point they discussed was the balance between being a student and an athlete. Grades matter — you need to be a student first because that opens up opportunities and keeps doors open. We also talked about who we are outside of the game and how being a multi-sport athlete can help shape our athleticism and mental toughness. One of the panelists shared how they had to choose between sports at a young age, but it wasn’t an easy decision. Being versatile is great, but sometimes you have to pick one when the recruiting process starts to intensify.

They also spoke candidly about the hardest parts of being recruited. For example, a player from Alabama mentioned how their height impacted their recruitment. Another player, Shelby (Pendley, a former three-time All-American at Oklahoma and Cowles Cup MVP for Athletes Unlimited), talked about how crucial it was to find the right fit and how her journey wasn’t always easy being from New Mexico. There was even a discussion about how social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), plays a massive role in the recruiting process today.

We also got real about the struggles of being an athlete, including moments where you’ve questioned whether you should quit. Shelby shared how there were times when she just wanted to hang out with her friends. But perseverance was a major theme. Each of the panelists talked about how failure is part of the process and how the ability to push through those tough times is what ultimately makes you a better person and a stronger athlete. It was refreshing to hear how even the best have faced moments of doubt, but what matters is how you come back stronger.

There was even a story shared about how bad coaching could sometimes make athletes want to quit. (C) Reagan Glanz, who played for (Francis Marion), echoed that sentiment, sharing how a bad coaching experience could almost break their love for the game.

As Day 1 wraps up, I feel inspired. It’s more than just physical ability — it’s about attitude, perseverance and handling the mental side of the game. I’ve met new friends, learned a ton and gained new insights into what it takes to make it at the next level. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings with my Green 23 team and being coached by Brigette Del-Ponte, who played for Arizona (where she was a 2nd Team All-American)!

— Malloree Harr #750