Oh, the distance a father will go for his daughter.… and in this case, we mean that literally, not figuratively.

Lily Beals is a talented 2028 lefty-hitting shortstop from Central California—Carmel, to be exact—and she and her father, Stephen, are road warriors not afraid to drive hundreds of miles to go to a softball tournament, practice or a workout.

Here are the numbers the dad estimated they traveled by car in 2024:

• 39,140 miles for travel ball
• 22,000+ miles for practices
• 11,000+ miles for workouts
• A grand total of 72,140 miles in just one year

The thought naturally comes to mind that all of this must cost a pretty penny… and the answer is: $10,000 for fuel costs, alone (not counting housing and eating while on the road).

Plus, factor in that their SUV is just a few years old but already has 170,000 miles on it!

So why be this dedicated to playing softball and being together that much?

First, you need to know how tight the dad and his daughter are and how this traveling show came to be what it is today…

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The Backstory of a Dedicated Dad

After a brutal divorce that spanned three states, Stephen was awarded full custody of Lily and her two older sisters 13 years ago. Lily grew up watching her sisters set the standard for hard work and dedication to making the best of themselves in life.

Her oldest sister Kaitlyn works in public safety as a dispatch supervisor and is married to a police officer. They are expecting her first child, a son, this May.

Middle sister Brooke graduated from Lily’s current high school, Carmel High, with a 4.57 GPA and is now attending Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, where she holds a 4.0 GPA in the nursing program and plans to become a nurse practitioner.

“Seeing that kind of discipline, service, and follow-through up close shaped Lily early,” the athlete’s father says.

“Hard work was never an abstract in our house—it was modeled every day. Lily didn’t grow up being told what was possible; she grew up watching it.”

The father/daughter duo are on Year 6 of this brutal schedule, but Stephen says neither one of them mind being together so much.

“Lily loves the grind,” Stephen continues, “and we are on Year 6 of this brutal schedule, but the only thing I ever have to force her to do is the recruiting stuff, she loves the grind.”

“I attend every training, every game, every workout and every practice.”

And then the understatement of the year.

“We spend a lot of time together.”

The California-based lawyer reveals that their travel together isn’t the reason they’re so close today… they already had that dynamic in their relationship before the long road trips.

“Being a single dad,” Stephen continues, “Lily and I have always spent a lot of time together, so the travel doesn’t really feel like something extra we ‘do,’ it’s just part of our normal rhythm.”

“The long drives didn’t create the bond as much as they revealed it. We already had it. We like the same music, the same food, we have the same sense of humor, and we both genuinely love the game so the hours in the car don’t feel heavy, they’re just part of the journey.”

And Stephen emphasizes that Lily isn’t being forced to do this—she’s craves it.

“I’ve never had to push Lily. She’s always driven this herself. I saw that spark when she was five, I built a ninja-style obstacle course in our front yard, and she was the only kid who could finish it, then asked me to make it harder every single day.”

“That mindset has never changed. By nine, she was on the seven-day grind, and we spent most of our waking hours together going to practices, lessons, and games. Not because she had to… because she wanted to.”

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Miles and Miles… Hours and Hours on the Road

The high school sophomore plays for the Lady Magic 16U – Tucker/Ortiz club team which competes in top national tournaments but that’s just part of it… it’s the practices and workouts that eat up most of the miles (and time on the road).

Lily spent three years playing on a team in San Mateo, the Warrior Academy – McDonald team which won Tier 1 Alliance Nationals last summer and necessitated a two-hour drive each way to practice and then basically driving south to SoCal tournaments every Friday.

Now, with the Lady Magic 16U -Tucker/Ortiz, the travel is three hours each way to practice.

“If we did well (at the tournament), we wouldn’t get home until midnight, sometimes 2 am on Monday mornings (after tournaments over the weekend),” Stephen adds. “but Lily was up at 5 am and back to school.”

Currently, with high school softball now taking more time than travel ball, they “only” have to drive multiple hours for batting workouts once a week—a 90-minute commute each way—with other workouts twice a week that are five hours roundtrip.

Oof.

Another obvious question is what do they do during such long drives?

“During the week, Lily works on homework and we talk about life mostly,” Stephen adds.

“The ride back she usually sleeps while I drive.”

Inevitably, one wonders how you can do all this travel and still maintain a job.

“As for my work,” Stephen explains, my path wasn’t linear.”

“I spent the early part of my life as a firefighter-paramedic and police officer. Later, after my mother passed away and I had a difficult experience dealing with her estate, I found myself spending a lot of time in the law library out of frustration.”

“That eventually led me to apply to law school, and I graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law, passing the bar on my first attempt.”

“I’ve now been practicing law for 24 years.”

“The flexibility of my practice has allowed me to show up, not just for Lily, but for all of my kids.”

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The Fire Within

And perhaps the most important question of all: why be so dedicated to softball?

Lily, an articulate and well-spoken student-athlete with a 4.0 GPA, explains why.

“Beyond the stats, I fell in love with the process of softball—the grind, the failures, the friendships, and the quiet confidence that comes from putting in work when no one is watching.”

“I started playing when I was nine, and early on I was training at the cages and in the gym with high school players, which pushed me to grow up fast and raise my expectations of myself.”

“By the time I was 12, I had started working out with junior college players and intentionally challenging myself to keep up with older, stronger, and more experienced athletes.”

“That mindset carried over onto the field, where I was placed on an 18U team as a 14U eligible player and expected not just to be there, but to compete. After a back injury in 2024, I was away from the field for a while, but it gave me something bigger and more important: perspective.”

“I’m competitive, but I also take pride in being a good teammate, staying coachable, and doing the little things right. Softball has taught me resilience, accountability, and how to trust myself in pressure situations.”

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The Blessings Learned from A Back Injury

About that back injury two years ago—it was a scary experience medically but one that showed to Lily and her father how much the game truly means in her life.

She recounts what happened in fascinating and vivid detail:

“Softball has taught me a lot about resilience, but the biggest lesson came in the summer of 2024.”

“At that point, I was playing some of the best softball of my life, starting on a team competing at the national level and just a year away from taking the top spot. I felt strong, confident, and completely locked in.”

“Then, while playing in Colorado, I made what should have been a routine play and when I tried to stand up, I couldn’t. I knew immediately something was wrong. I couldn’t even take off my cleats on my own, and my tournament was over.”

“We flew home and went straight to my doctor. After X-rays, I was referred to a specialist, and at UCSF Children’s Hospital I was diagnosed with a bulging disc at L5-S1.”

“Everything stopped. I couldn’t train, couldn’t play, and at times I couldn’t even bend down to tie my own shoes.”

“The next six months were about starting over from zero. Seven days a week, I focused on recovery, cold plunges, specialized range-of-motion work, rehab exercises, cupping and scraping, ice, and learning how to be patient with my body.”

“There were no shortcuts and no guarantees, just showing up every day and trusting the process.”

“When I finally returned to the field, my first games back were as a freshman on varsity in high school. I was grateful just to be playing again, even though I knew I wasn’t close to full strength, I felt like I was competing at about 50 percent.”

“I leaned into preparation, mindset, and being a good teammate. That season ended up being incredibly meaningful and, this year, for the first time since my injury.”

“I’m entering the season feeling 100 percent healthy. I’m excited, grateful, and can’t wait to show what that looks like on the field!”

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Numbers Don’t Lie

Lily’s drive and work ethic—combined with her natural talent and increased appreciation for the game—has produced some impressive numbers over the last year in both prep and club play.

As a freshman spring playing varsity for Carmel High, Lily produced a .546 batting average, a .583 on-base percentage, a 1.232 OPS and had 29 RBIs with 46 runs scored in 26 games.

She also walked 10 times and only struck out four times showing early on her advanced plate discipline.

Lily set a school record by going 6-for-6 in one game and she was named her school’s Rookie of the Year, a 1^st Team All-League honoree and was nominated for All-State.

Over the summer, Lily battled an injury as well as being shuffled among several teams including spending time on an 18U Warrior squad, then 14U in a Triple Crown tourney and also 16U at Alliance Nationals with a Firecrackers team.

Once the fall came with stability and focus, Lily took off with video-game numbers once again: a .486 batting average, .526 on-base percentage, 1.206 OPS, .681 slugging percentage with eight doubles and three triples.

And all this on a team that is predominantly 2027 grads.

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Keeping It Fun

It’s evident that Stephen is a loving, doting father to all of his kids.

“Seeing who they’ve become – strong, driven, and grounded – is what I’m most proud of.”

“With Lily, the softball journey has never felt like a sacrifice. It’s been something we’ve shared, side by side, built on trust, love, and a lot of miles that just feel like home now.”

The last question posed to Lily shines the light on why she’s willing to do what it takes to not just succeed but excel on the fields.

What does it all mean to you—the constant working to improve your game and the miles you’re willing to travel to make it all happen?

“The biggest highlight of my softball journey has been realizing that softball is still fun for me,” Lily responds.

“I work hard because I genuinely love every part of the game. When I decided to look for a new opportunity, I was overwhelmed by the support I felt, within days I had multiple offers, all based on reputation alone.”

“It reminded me that attitude, effort, and being a good teammate really matter. I found a place that feels like home, pushes me to grow, and keeps the game fun and that’s everything to me.”

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

Lily does whatever it takes to be her best and those she has worked with see and appreciate that about her…

Here’s What They’re Saying:

Harry Mullins—Warriors Academy McDonald (2025)

Lily is a grinder and doesn’t get outworked by anyone. Her ability to read ball off the barrel and position herself accordingly is extraordinary. Her pre-pitch decision making, her vocal makeup, and her ability to position her teammates have always been her strengths. She brings great energy to the dugout and the field alike. She is someone you want in your clubhouse and her family you want in your stands.

Sean Halton—Hitting Coach (2025)

I’ve been coaching Lily since she was nine years old, and from the very beginning she has shown an innate drive to compete at the highest level. She’s never shied away from the work it takes on or off the field, to get better. Her commitment is constant, and she approaches every training session with purpose.

Even as a young athlete, Lily consistently rose above her age group. She was competing with high-school players when she was in 5th grade, and soon after she was training alongside college athletes without ever looking out of place.

She has a genuine appreciation for the game and a deep respect for players who compete the right way. Lily thrives around top-level athletes, and she matches — or exceeds — their intensity and competitiveness.

Above all, Lily is a relentless worker in the cage. She loves to hit, and she works for as long as it takes to sharpen her swing. That passion, maturity, and dedication at such a young age is what truly sets her apart.

Lily shows her speed as she gets a triple.

Mike Palshaw—High School Varsity Coach (2025)

I heard a lot about Lily Beals and, as an incoming Freshman, she already a reputation. It’s not very often you see this but she is better than advertised.

From her all-out defensive effort to her “Yes, Coach” commitment to learning and professional approach to hitting, Lily is destined to excel in softball. The fact that she does it all with a smile on her face also makes her a great teammate.

Bianca Ceja—Head Coach, Firecrackers – Leles Bay Area (2025)

Lily’s one of the most dedicated athletes in our program, constantly on the field or in the facility putting in the work and getting stronger. Her contagious smile lights up every room and lifts everyone around her, making her a leader both on and off the field.

Ian Sullinger—Hitting/Fielding Trainer (2025)

Lily is a passionate and dedicated athlete who consistently sets the tone with her work ethic, competitive drive & willingness to achieve high standards. Any program would benefit from her talent, focus, and relentless commitment to getting better every day. A+ kid, A+ energy, A+ commitment to the grind.

Dan Cabuling—Director, FC Leles Bay Area and KPI (2025)

I have been working with Lily for about six months now and she has the two qualities that all high-level athletes need: grit and resilience.

Her passion for the game, ability to overcome adversity, and work ethic in everything off the field is something that will continue to help her provide any team she plays for that competitive edge. Add an overwhelming positive attitude and you have a player who will make everyone around them play at a higher level.

Lily produced consistently against varsity competition as an underclassman and has continued that trajectory on the travel circuit with Lady Magic – Tucker/Ortiz, showing strong contact ability, plate discipline, and overall game impact for her class year.