Kinsey Komara, who also goes by “KAM,” is a right-handed 2027 pitcher and power hitter who competes for the Beverly Bandits 16U – Komara team.

KAM was ranked No. 18 in the Pitchers Only category in the Line Drive HOT 100 released last month and also was listed at No. 15 in the West region.

Kinsey recently committed to UT Arlington and in this exclusive for our site shares her thoughts on her recruiting process and how it went for her…

Here’s what she has to say including asking the key question:

“Is it better getting recruited by your dream school or being made to feel like a dream player?”

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Growing up, I heard the phrase “everyone’s recruiting process is different and there is no set timeline” a thousand times.

The Beverly Bandits travel ball organization I play for announces college commitments to all the families in the organization right when they happen so I’ve been aware of when the older girls would commit but not how.

During the college season, our family would watch softball every day of the week.

Growing up I was attracted to the personalities of the teams who won and looked like they were having fun. These were the teams that I would follow and eventually became my dream schools.

When I was in 9^th grade, during the showcase season, we would have some of the same college coaches at our games on a regular basis, it was fun to play in front of people you recognized from watching on tv.

During the PGF Nationals, the coaches at UT Arlington reached out to Phil Gomez, our recruiting coordinator, and invited me to a camp they were having in August.

When my dad and I watched a few games on YouTube we were really impressed with how well the team played together. Everyone was on the same page and, from years in travel, I knew that started with the coaching.

This was definitely the case too when I went to their August camp. The camp was run like a high-level practice and the staff was coaching every rep the entire camp.

I left feeling like they were fully invested in every player, even in the younger players who were in attendance and are still a few years away from their September 1^st initial contact date.

For me, heading towards September 1 and the time when college coaches could reach out,  I was excited to see where my recruiting process would lead.

However, the top two schools on my list did not reach out but that made me so so so grateful to the ones that did!

I had great conversations with those teams that made me re-prioritize what I thought I wanted in a college experience.

When I went on my visit to UT Arlington and met the team, I could totally see myself fitting in, not just in softball but in the personality that made UTA stand out on TV.

I asked every coach I spoke with the same question: “How would you see me contributing to your team?”

Head Coach Kara Dille blew me away with her answer: she was so specific to me that she even showed me statistics of where I could fit in!

Coach Dill, Coach Hunter (Bunch), Coach “E” (Elizabeth Mason) and Coach Mariana (Torres) all knew exactly how they were building to win and made me want to be a part of that.

The visit was not half over when I told my parents that this was it. I called Coach Dill on October 1st and verbally committed to UT Arlington, Texas!

I have heard my dad have conversations with parents and other coaches about the ranking system in travel softball and how sometimes it can create negative feelings. I am grateful for the platform as I feel that when UTA saw me play they had a reference point to help add to their decision to offer me a scholarship.  

To all the athletes that have committed: I am so happy for you, just as excited as I am to play at UTA.

Some of the best 2027 softball players I know are still not committed, some have not received the offer they need and some have not received any offers, but one thing is absolutely for sure: the college teams that get them will definitely hit the jackpot! 

I am truly blessed and Thank God to be a “Dream Player at my Dream School” and I cannnot wait to compete. 

Let’s Go Mavs #BuckEm

Sending good vibes…Kinsey Komara #18