Get on board with Line Drive Media’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!

We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.

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Here’s our TFP for Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: KELSEY BURDEN

Uncommitted 2028 MIF/UT Kelsey Burden, #14 in the 2028 Line Drive Hot 100, recently talked to Line Drive Media about Lady Dukes-Lamar, PGF Nationals, Athletics Mercado-Iwai, adversity, athletic family, future college, college camps, forensics, history, Anthony Burden, the Bible, TI, “SWAT,” “The Princess and the Frog” and juggling.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Kelsey Burden

Hometown: Tuscaloosa, AL

High School: Thompson High

Club Team: Lady Dukes-Lamar 18U

Graduation Year: 2028

Height: 5-4

Position/s: MIF/UT

Nickname: The nickname “Car Rider” came from my school’s Associate AD, Elizabeth Patrick. Last year, I started varsity as an 8th grader. I was the only person on the varsity team, who didn’t have a Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit. After school, I had to wait in the “car rider” line until someone came to get me. Hence, the nickname “car rider.” During games, I’d always hear, “Let’s go car rider!”

Social Media: @KelseyABurden on Twitter, @kelseyaburden on Instagram and Kelsey Burden on Facebook

Honors: A/B Honor Roll, #14 in the 2028 Line Drive Hot 100, Birmingham’s Newcomer of the Year (2024), 7A All-State Honorable Mention and 1st Team All-County.

High School Spring Stats: .467 AVG, 1.060 OPS, 55 runs, 63 hits, 15 RBIs, 4 doubles, 35-of-37 stolen bases, .549 OBP and .993 fielding percentage.

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: .474 AVG, 1.078 OPS, 20 runs, 27 hits, 16 RBIs, 3 doubles, 15-of-17 stolen bases, .515 OBP and .971 fielding percentage.

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: I was out due to injury and only played one tournament.